The GDS Skunkworks, 4 FN 27's Shop Projects

[4 FN 27]

Hopefully we get to see the drawer these end up in. Lookin' good- mighty expensive organizational tool you've got there.

Here is the Drawer. We will call this the before. I am going to redo all these in Mirrored Stainless over the next couple of days.

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I made these back in 1998 I think. They are starting to rust...do you want them??? They are yours if so...you can pick them up.

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The Water Jet is more economical than the Laser the old ones were cut on!!!

 

[LXCam]

Here is the Drawer. We will call this the before. I am going to redo all these in Mirrored Stainless over the next couple of days.

View media item 86117
I made these back in 1998 I think. They are starting to rust...do you want them??? They are yours if so...you can pick them up.

mighty expensive organizational tool you've got there.

This reminds me of the very first item I machined after I bought my first mill. After spending the entire night out in the shop making chips the wife asks me what in the world I was doing out there. Told captain obvious I using my new mill. She then says what the hell did you need to make that kept you up all night long.



A billet paper towel holder.

 

[XJSuperman]

Dang thats a nice drawer setup.

 

[zmotorsports]

Damn Pat. I don't know how I missed this thread. I apologize but will definitely be keeping my eye on it from here on.

Your shop and talent both astound me and make me jealous at the same time.

 

[JustinS]

Wow. That is some serious equipment!

 

[MP&C]

Looks like some beefy drawer slides!

 

[customh]

I made these back in 1998 I think. They are starting to rust...do you want them??? They are yours if so...you can pick them up.

Where and when? I'll bring the beer.

I guess I'll have to find someone that can engrave the sizes next to the holes....

On second thought I'll probably do this thing called "painting" them after I scotchbrite the rust off. I know that "paint" stuff is taboo to you. Now look what you did- got me planning for something I don't even have yet.

 

[4 FN 27]

This reminds me of the very first item I machined after I bought my first mill. After spending the entire night out in the shop making chips the wife asks me what in the world I was doing out there. Told captain obvious I using my new mill. She then says what the hell did you need to make that kept you up all night long.

A billet paper towel holder.

LOL...last time I did stay at the shop for an all nighter was when I got my first Prostock Car. Wasn't home before 10 pm and left at 6 am 7 days a week for the next 7 years...Firday night my Wife asked if I am going to live in the shop now. My reply: "Nope, not unless you plan on bringing me my dinner."

Dang thats a nice drawer setup.

I hate loosing tools. If they have a home...you know when no one is home if you know what I mean.

Damn Pat. I don't know how I missed this thread. I apologize but will definitely be keeping my eye on it from here on.

Your shop and talent both astound me and make me jealous at the same time.

Mutual respect Mike a long with so many others who choose to pursuit their dreams and make them happen. Thank you.

Looks like some beefy drawer slides!

I know the Mac will handle it. In the Racecar Trailer I had a drawer in a Macsimizer pack full from front to back with Gear Sets and crisscrossed the country and it never had a problem bouncing around in the transporter.

I'll do a write up on the build and the materials used...the new set should weight roughly 20% less than the old set.

Where and when? I'll bring the beer.

I guess I'll have to find someone that can engrave the sizes next to the holes....

On second thought I'll probably do this thing called "painting" them after I scotchbrite the rust off. I know that "paint" stuff is taboo to you. Now look what you did- got me planning for something I don't even have yet.

LOL...my fault...I will proudly accept the blame...LOL...I blame 2 guys for my Drag Racing, 1 Guy for my obsession with Firearms and 2 guys to give me the motivation to do what I do and never give up trying or learning.

Training today...funny the Trainer, on his 3rd install did show me quite a few things I wasn't able to find. He also answered a few questions. Then I answered a number of questions he was sorting out about Nesting and Tabbing. We agreed we will save the second day of included Training for a day in the future after we both have time to apply what we experienced today.

He is going to keep a list of things/questions and so am I. We will email them to each other an find the solutions. Then get together for the second session and see what we each bring to the table. 34 years of programming and other than commands and keystrokes I think have this thing sorted out.

Todays challenge: Cut .210 thick Manganese. This stuff is nasty...

At the plant we make a housing for a customer Shot Peening Machine and the housing needs to be highly wear-resistant. The Customer choose Manganese.

We were contracting this out to a Water Jet house but we found out yesterday they will not have our parts ready for 2 to 3 more weeks. Can't live with that so our VP of Ops sent me a text this morning asking if I could cut it.

Hearing about the delivery issue yesterday I grabber a chunk of Material...got the first part on the first try. I'll take it to the plant first thing in the morning and have them run it on the Laser Scanner and see if they will sign it off as an approved sample and I'll start cutting...My CFO (Wife) will be happy with the additional income to keep the Water Jet afloat...pun intended.

Manganese PN 404350-S13 Rev 02 Housing Side, LH

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[zmotorsports]

LOL...last time I did stay at the shop for an all nighter was when I got my first Prostock Car. Wasn't home before 10 pm and left at 6 am 7 days a week for the next 7 years...Firday night my Wife asked if I am going to live in the shop now. My reply: "Nope, not unless you plan on bringing me my dinner."

I remember many years ago when I was building race/show cars I spent some very late nights in the shop and my wonderful wife would bring me dinner out to the shop. Little gestures like that just confirmed that I married the right person. She is so good to me, always has been. I'll bet yours would do the same without hesitation.

 

[4 FN 27]

I'll bet yours would do the same without hesitation.

Mike we must be 2 lucky guys...

My Wife brought me my dinner every night I worked late into the night when we first started the business. She still makes my lunch everyday. Today it was an extra Filet she made last night, a bag of Grapes and a Brownie.

She has a boundary at home: I have to come up to the house to eat. I did get her to bend that rule once when I first got my Mill. She brought down Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike we must be 2 lucky guys...

My Wife brought me my dinner every night I worked late into the night when we first started the business. She still makes my lunch everyday. Today it was an extra Filet she made last night, a bag of Grapes and a Brownie.

She has a boundary at home: I have to come up to the house to eat. I did get her to bend that rule once when I first got my Mill. She brought down Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo.

Damn, filet and shrimp fettuccine alfredo!!! I'm gonna have to tell my wife to step up her game. I just get a sandwich and a bag of carrots when I work late. Probably why I don't work late very often, I don't like missing meals.

 

[4 FN 27]

Today after mowing the lawn I sat down and output all the dxf files for the Jet. Remaking all my Socket Racks. Have geometry...will cut!!!

Got real familiar with the keystrokes and the hot key locations. Learn the cutter comp and creating tool paths. Load, process, repeat. Very productive.

Just like programming a Laser.

Cut the Base first. Hard to believe this thing will accurately cut a .130 hole through .125 5052-H32 Aluminum. I am impressed!! And happy with the decision to switch from the plasma to the Jet.

The Base

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Next I cut all the lower trays

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Made sure everything lined up

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Assembled the lower trays to the base and added the Extension Rack I made the other night.

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Tomorrow I am going to run up to the plant and see if we have any 3/8 Aluminum Rod for the spacers. I thought I had some here but that is not the case. I am not about to turn 1/2 to 3/8 OD and start tapping. Too much work for the return.

 

[4 FN 27]

Finished up the Assembly today. Ran up to the plant and no 3/8 Aluminum Rod in stock. So I robbed a bunch of old Carb Linkages I had stuffed away and made all the spacers. 5/16 Hex Rod drilled and tapped to 10-32.

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Did kind of a modular design so if I ever add a socket or 2 I can either remake the Top and Bottom Plates or add a hole. The Spacers worked pretty good.

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The finished product. Now on to the Metrics...

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I would have gotten more done today but I had to dig out my old LeBlond Lathe and Bridgeport. Sold them to my Shooting Partner. His new house and Garage are ready so the Riggers will be here Tuesday am to move them to his place. Glad to see them go to a good home.

Man I can begin to count the hours I spent in front of those machines.

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Full day in the office tomorrow and a little volunteer work tomorrow night. No shop time until Tuesday.

 

[kbs2244]

That is just amazing.
Now what do you do with those tools?

 

[Strouty]

The only downside to a water jet is cleaning the spent sand out of the tank. There are conveyor devices that automatically clean it as you operate it......

I think this statement gets confusing when you say this.........

not sure if that makes sense for a home shop.

I think you missed the point, this is a water jet in the home shop, of course you would need the automatic conveyor.





As always , FN awesome toys, FN awesome projects!

Yes I was being a bit punny.

 

[4 FN 27]

That is just amazing.
Now what do you do with those tools?

Thank you!!!

I tinker...Or as I like to say "I can do anything you can afford."

I have done all kinds of projects and the list is not getting shorter. I'll be updating this thread as I venture on.

 

[customh]

Todays challenge: Cut .210 thick Manganese. This stuff is nasty...

At the plant we make a housing for a customer Shot Peening Machine and the housing needs to be highly wear-resistant. The Customer choose Manganese.

...

Manganese PN 404350-S13 Rev 02 Housing Side, LH

If you thought you had anyone fooled the curtain is down. Let's do the math: guy owns a sheet metal shop. Guy buys waterjet for "home shop use".

If I'm a betting man I'm thinking guy is going to pay for said waterjet at least partially by "taking some load off" of aforementioned sheet metal shop. Who's with me?

LOL...my fault...I will proudly accept the blame...LOL...I blame 2 guys for my Drag Racing, 1 Guy for my obsession with Firearms and 2 guys to give me the motivation to do what I do and never give up trying or learning.

I'll still need some direction on the pickup/beer drop-off point for the "old and rusty" trays.

 

[Stuart in MN]

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Tell us a little more about that vintage Arctic Cat lurking in the background. It looks like a Panther racing sled?

 

[4 FN 27]

If you thought you had anyone fooled the curtain is down. Let's do the math: guy owns a sheet metal shop. Guy buys waterjet for "home shop use".

If I'm a betting man I'm thinking guy is going to pay for said waterjet at least partially by "taking some load off" of aforementioned sheet metal shop. Who's with me?

Really Travis...you have to go there???...LOL... My plan is to have fun at the home shop...If I purchased anything for the home shop to pay for itself as the main motivator I am a fool...LOL...most things I do at home are free and the occasional case of Hamm's Beer...

Just trying to make a customer happy by taking on the work from the plant. I cannot tell a customer I cannot deliver for 3 weeks...not on a new machine going to market.

I'll still need some direction on the pickup/beer drop-off point for the "old and rusty" trays.

Volunteering tonight...but hoping to have Shop Time tomorrow night...you know where I work...you can follow me home...

Tell us a little more about that vintage Arctic Cat lurking in the background. It looks like a Panther racing sled?

1971 634 Puma Big Mouth with factory Montana Pipes. Bought it off Craigslist 7-8 years ago. Has a 340 in it now. I take it out on a vintage runs once or twice a year.

I have it in the back of my head to make a Retro-Mountain Sled out of it. Started on the design...years ago...it is on the list of things to do.

I totaled out a 2017 M6000 141 last year by sucking a rock (boulder) up through the tunnel ripping the track 2/3of the way through and taking out the Heat Exchanger. Not turning it in to insurance...so I may swap the drivetrain into the old Cat. I had 5 of these old vintage wrecks and have worked my way down to 2 of them. This one and a parts sled.

My buddy and I were heading out to go Coyote Hunting one evening near Hinckley...I have since sold this pair. They were a lot of fun.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Finished up the Assembly today. Ran up to the plant and no 3/8 Aluminum Rod in stock. So I robbed a bunch of old Carb Linkages I had stuffed away and made all the spacers. 5/16 Hex Rod drilled and tapped to 10-32.

View media item 86212
Did kind of a modular design so if I ever add a socket or 2 I can either remake the Top and Bottom Plates or add a hole. The Spacers worked pretty good.

View media item 86213
The finished product. Now on to the Metrics...

View media item 86214
I would have gotten more done today but I had to dig out my old LeBlond Lathe and Bridgeport. Sold them to my Shooting Partner. His new house and Garage are ready so the Riggers will be here Tuesday am to move them to his place. Glad to see them go to a good home.

Man I can begin to count the hours I spent in front of those machines.

View media item 86215
Full day in the office tomorrow and a little volunteer work tomorrow night. No shop time until Tuesday.

I'm thinking I should change the title of this thread from GDS Skunkworks to OCD Skunkworks.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I totaled out a 2017 M6000 141 last year by sucking a rock (boulder) up through the tunnel ripping the track 2/3of the way through and taking out the Heat Exchanger. Not turning it in to insurance...so I may swap the drivetrain into the old Cat. I had 5 of these old vintage wrecks and have worked my way down to 2 of them. This one and a parts sled.

I've wondered why people aren't modifying vintage sleds with modern drivetrains - they do it all the time with cars and other vehicles. Seems like it would be a fun way to go.

 

[moab11]

I've wondered why people aren't modifying vintage sleds with modern drivetrains - they do it all the time with cars and other vehicles. Seems like it would be a fun way to go.

I think the main reason is that the vintage sleds all felt fast because there was no suspension and handling was only workable at the lower speeds that they ran at. Modern sleds are light years ahead of something like that Arctic Cat in terms of suspension and handling. It would be like putting an LS7 into a model A

 

[zmotorsports]

Great socket holders Pat. Do you take orders?

As for the Arctic Cat, I cut my teeth on a 1979 Polaris Cobra 440 that I later turned into a laydown style grass drag sled. Punched the motor out with chrome pipes sticking through the front of the hood and polished tunnel. From the outside it even had the original stickers on it but under the hood it was full-on custom with lots of go fast parts, chrome and paint. We had quick connectors on the cooling system and even converted and old Igloo cooler into a heat transfer system with a 12vdc pump to circulate the cooling system in the pits. My son was probably 5 or 6 and he was in charge of making the connections where we pulled it back into the pits. He had a tricked out Kitty Kat that was running a big displacement single lunger with a D&D pipe hanging out the side.

Those were fun days.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I think the main reason is that the vintage sleds all felt fast because there was no suspension and handling was only workable at the lower speeds that they ran at. Modern sleds are light years ahead of something like that Arctic Cat in terms of suspension and handling. It would be like putting an LS7 into a model A

Well, I never said it would be easy or safe. But that's hot rodding. It would probably be simpler to just swap the bodywork from a vintage sled onto a modern chassis.

 

[4 FN 27]

I've wondered why people aren't modifying vintage sleds with modern drivetrains - they do it all the time with cars and other vehicles. Seems like it would be a fun way to go.

Actually Stuart I am seeing more and more of them at Vintage Shows. Saw Ski-Doo 7500 Blizzard with a new motor in it. Looked like it came form the factory.

It is amazing how for the technology has come on these things.

Old School vs new...

 

[4 FN 27]

Great socket holders Pat. Do you take orders?

Thank you...I only take orders from my Wife. Based on my convenient hearing the list of orders is typically short...LOL...

You would have to send me your Sets of Sockets so I can measure them.

As for the Arctic Cat, I cut my teeth on a 1979 Polaris Cobra 440 that I later turned into a laydown style grass drag sled. Punched the motor out with chrome pipes sticking through the front of the hood and polished tunnel. From the outside it even had the original stickers on it but under the hood it was full-on custom with lots of go fast parts, chrome and paint. We had quick connectors on the cooling system and even converted and old Igloo cooler into a heat transfer system with a 12vdc pump to circulate the cooling system in the pits. My son was probably 5 or 6 and he was in charge of making the connections where we pulled it back into the pits. He had a tricked out Kitty Kat that was running a big displacement single lunger with a D&D pipe hanging out the side.

Those were fun days.

LOL...ah the good ol'days...I ran the NSSR Drags back in the mid to late 80's. Had a couple of mildly modified Wild Cat 700's running 110-112 in a 1000 feet...

Oh to be young again...I'll see if I can scan a few pics if I can find them...

Do you have any of the Cobra 440?

 

[zmotorsports]

Thank you...I only take orders from my Wife. Based on my convenient hearing the list of orders is typically short...LOL...

You would have to send me your Sets of Sockets so I can measure them.



LOL...ah the good ol'days...I ran the NSSR Drags back in the mid to late 80's. Had a couple of mildly modified Wild Cat 700's running 110-112 in a 1000 feet...

Oh to be young again...I'll see if I can scan a few pics if I can find them...

Do you have any of the Cobra 440?

I'll have to look. I know I have some of my son's Kitty Kat that we built and of my early 90's Polaris triple that I punched out to 707 that I hillclimbed with as well as grass drag raced. I'll have to scan them and maybe I'll post them to my thread so I don't muddy up your awesome thread Pat.

 

[4 FN 27]

I'll have to look. I know I have some of my son's Kitty Kat that we built and of my early 90's Polaris triple that I punched out to 707 that I hillclimbed with as well as grass drag raced. I'll have to scan them and maybe I'll post them to my thread so I don't muddy up your awesome thread Pat.

Clutter is content...lol...

Muddy? Cool is welcome Mike!!!

Not too much progress tonight. Had a visitor...CustomH was in the house!!!

We BS'ed for over an hour while my dinner got cold. We had almost all the worlds problems fixed and then we kept talking and created more.

Thanks for stopping in Travis...always a pleasure to see somebody your age that actually understands the business end of a Screw Driver and how to use it.

After enjoying my reheated dinner served by my oh so understanding Wife...I made my way back to the GDS Design Center top revise the Metric Socket Holders. Have a couple more hours of design left.

Have to cut it short and head back to the house to talk over the next acquisition with my Wife. I am in need of a an M8000 162 Mountain Sled...New old stock at 38% off and a factory warranty...gotta jump on that. I have a feeling she is not going to be happy...but...

 

[customh]

Thank you for your hospitality Pat. Really enjoyed seeing the place and learning a little history.
I also heard there was some other interest in the socket holders- Pat showed me how specific these were to his craftsman sockets (they're like a go/no go gauge for sockets) so we will see what works and perhaps I'll have to ship these things to someone who can really utilize them. Thanks again Pat- I'm really hoping all of my sockets work and I can fully utilize these!

 

[ilovevocs]

I've wondered why people aren't modifying vintage sleds with modern drivetrains - they do it all the time with cars and other vehicles. Seems like it would be a fun way to go.

The fun of having a vintage sled is riding a vintage sled. Nothing rides (quite as rough) as a leafer.

Snowmobiles have evolved at a rate far beyond that of automobiles. Guys who ride allot want new equipment that is reliable and fuel efficient. Were riding farther, higher, and steeper than people dreamed of 20 years ago.

You need a complete package to have a well performing sled. The motors that came in the vintage sleds were suitable for the suspension technology at the time.

I don't think anything depreciates quite as fast as a Snowmobile either.

 

[moab11]

I don't think anything depreciates quite as fast as a Snowmobile either.

I would humbly disagree and put forth that one's bank account depreciates faster! After all, a $15000 sled needs a $5000 trailer pulled by a $50000 truck while wearing $2-3000 of gear!

 

[4 FN 27]

Thank you for your hospitality Pat.

Pat- I'm really hoping all of my sockets work and I can fully utilize these!

Thanks for dropping in...hope you can make use of the Socket Holders...or pass them on.

You'll have to stop by on a "Work Day"...and not a "BS Session"...LOL...

The fun of having a vintage sled is riding a vintage sled. Nothing rides (quite as rough) as a leafer.

I don't think anything depreciates quite as fast as a Snowmobile either.

Amen and Amen...

I would humbly disagree and put forth that one's bank account depreciates faster! After all, a $15000 sled needs a $5000 trailer pulled by a $50000 truck while wearing $2-3000 of gear!

Hmmm....I try to be a little more effective on my spend:

Truck: 2016 Durmax Red Tag event purchase, Dealer Pass through selling off my Wife's 2003 Corvette Convert she never drove (her idea to sell, not mine). $48K and some change.

Trailer: Craigslist, 12 foot deck, Sno-Cap $1200.00.

Sled: 2017 New-Old Stock M8000 153 Limited ES 3.0 Blk/Grn $9499 down from MSRP @ $14699, 35% discount and a warranty.

Gear: Hay Days Clearance Sale

You can minimize the spend...and I do...

Now back on track...

Last night I hauled home 1 of 2 2200 lbs pallets of abrasive. In the process of unloading I snagged my Tonneau Cover Rail. The new Case Skid Steer is a little more challenging to see with the Pallet Forks on. Nothing a little tweaking cannot fix. I hate things like this...will probably end up selling it and getting a new one. AAAARRRRRGGGG!!!!

After that an old friend called and wanted me to give my opinion on his 1969 Chevelle Drag Car he is building.

Opinions asked:

Wheel Spacers? Answer NO!!!! Cut and weld the Rear End Housing if proper Offset can not be purchased. No exceptions.

Roll Bar Welds: All TIG Welded by a kid I watched grow up and he worked for me for 2 years as welder. Welds all look awesome and properly sized for the various applications.

Roll bar design: Personally I would have done it differently but his purpose for the Car is different than mine. He will street it 90% of the time and be a weekend warrior. He has Swing-out Bars and will use the Backseat. It will certify and I guess that is what matters.

Engine Mount: He wants to add a Turnbuckle to each corner of the Motor on the drivers side. My opinion was no. Put a solid mount on that side and a factory style polyurethane mount on the other side or cut to the chase and Motor Plate the front and rear and use a polyurethane mount on the transmission.

The 2 of us go back to 1979 building a racing cars. He moved to Kansas and we lost touch for about 20 years and he moved back. Since then we keep in touch. He has build every inch of this car including paint. He is a master Mechanic and takes anything on as a challenge.

I was honored to have my opinion considered. And he has a few trinkets I can make on the Water Jet for him.

Can't wait to see this one run.

 

[zmotorsports]

That's awesome Pat. I love seeing home built rides being built in home shops by a guy who isn't afraid to work, has the proper tools and knows how to use them. Anybody can go buy a car but I want to see the ones built in home shops.

 

[XJSuperman]

Sounds like he needs to get in touch with QuickPerformanceInc out of Ames, Iowa.

 

[4 FN 27]

Got home a bit late tonight. One of my competitors created a situation for my best customer and they asked me to remake the parts. No problem. Fun little challenge. Took one part from a 3 piece spotweld/weld assembly to a 1 piece formed part with no welding.

The other part we took from 5 pieces to 3 and made them from all the same thicknesses. If the quantity was higher I could have gotten down to 1 piece construction and gotten rid of the spotwelding too. The additional set-ups in the Press Brake would not have been worth it. Proto complete tomorrow and production completed by 9-14.

Hauled another load of Abrasive home tonight. Didn't clip the Tonneau Cover rail tonight. Still pissed about that.

The Mrs made Spaghetti with Meatballs. I almost threw in the towel after that. Hard sit upright and type right now.

Got the rest of the tubing cut for my Material Cart.

View media item 86318
Everything gets a Print...my OCD and Engineering background come together and create this necessity...

View media item 86319
Might be welding tomorrow night and getting ready for the weekend. My nephew wants to come over and learn to run the Water Jet. I am hoping he will move to this side of town so he can spend more time here learning the art. Tonight he was working on his Grandfather's, my Dad's 1962 Thunderbird that was actually owned personally by Henry Ford II. He called me to tell me he took Gramps for a drive tonight. And said Gramps actually drove it. That is a first in a long time. Typically he just collects them and leaves them sit...well unless the Nephew or I drive them.

I'll see if he will send me a pic...

Hoping to play hookie tomorrow afternoon...

 

[NUTTSGT]

Great story about the nephew Pat. Seeing as how you kinda take him under your wing, I'd guess no kids for you and the wife ?

The Chevelle build, that chromoly cage bars ?

 

[Strouty]

With the long weekend, maybe you can get that cart welded? I know I need to step up my skills, I don’t really know how to use CAD yet, but I am moving it to the top of my list, I honestly think that not knowing CAD could make or break me in the future. I bought an old Bridgeport that has a 2 axis CNC, it is very cool, I figure that it is how I will start to learn, but I think I will be looking for a deal on a 3 axis mill soon.

 

[4 FN 27]

Great story about the nephew Pat. Seeing as how you kinda take him under your wing, I'd guess no kids for you and the wife ?

The Chevelle build, that chromoly cage bars ?

Yep, no kids between me and the Mrs. Was not to be.

The Nephew, my only Nephew that knows how to get his hands dirty just like his uncle. He is a good kid. We had our differences when he was going through his teens but he managed to come around through the school of hard knocks. He is at a level of integrity where he may get his own key to my shop.

The Cage is Mild Steel. It is his first time doing this and I got to the party a little late. I would have let him use all my equipment to make all the parts. Oh well...next one.

With the long weekend, maybe you can get that cart welded? I know I need to step up my skills, I don’t really know how to use CAD yet, but I am moving it to the top of my list, I honestly think that not knowing CAD could make or break me in the future. I bought an old Bridgeport that has a 2 axis CNC, it is very cool, I figure that it is how I will start to learn, but I think I will be looking for a deal on a 3 axis mill soon.

Finished welding it at 10:40 pm last night.

View media item 86367
View media item 86366
Just need to bolt on the Casters.

I have been doing the Cad thing since 1987. I am very proficient at Cadkey and know enough to be dangerous in Solidworks. I took a couple of 3 day courses in Solidworks over the years but wasn't able to focus as well as I needed taking a 3 day crash course. My phone and email kept blowing up and taking care of the customers was more important than learning at that point so I tossed in the towel.

Moving forward I am going to go back to school (Tech/College) for 2 semesters of Solidworks and 1 semester of Master Cam. I tried to get signed up for this fall but fell short on time. I start in January. I'll be like Rodney Dangerfield in "Back to School". I can turn my phone off for 2 hours every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

Cad can be a real time ****...but a productive one. In my computer here at work I have a separate drive for my personal projects. Currently there are 133 "Top Level" directories. In the "Automotive Directory" there are 105 sub-directories filled with hundreds of designs and prints. Every sub-directory is a project or car. I have 2 more computers at home, 1 in the house office and the newly created design center in the Shop. I am trying to consolidate everything to the Shop Computer. A challenge at best.

Go to school for Cad. Make the investment...it is crazy what you can design and build.

And yes get that 3 Axis. Once I master the 3 Axis I want to get a 5 Axis.

Hi-ho off to work I go today...last minute rush jobs came in yesterday afternoon when I played hookie. I should have them all wrapped up by 11 am. I have Range Officer Duty on Tuesday...and the parts have to ship Wednesday. Overtime...LOL...

Today we will move the majority of my Material from the plant to the Shop. Then I need to clean up and organize the Shop. Need to set-up a Tool Box for the Water Jet, a place to keep all the accessories and consumables. Need to make a list of the Consumables and place an order. I hate being down because of a missing item. I'll sneak mowing the Lawn in there somewhere.

 

[dr_clyde]

I wholeheartedly agree about learning CAD.

CAD changed my life in how I build things. I had to learn on the job when a shop I worked at got a CNC plasma cutter and they wanted me to run it. Cut my teeth on AutoCAD 2000.

I use Solidworks at my shop now. I love it, it thinks like I think. I would be lost on some jobs without the ability to use CAD.

Parametric modeling is a bit different than plain 2D CAD, but once you figure out how to give the computer what it wants, the veil lifts and you can design some pretty badass stuff quickly.

I took a beginner class for Solidworks at my community college. It was basically a self guided online class with a professor there to answer questions. From there, it was trial by fire, my job demanded me to be able to design and manufacture usable parts from scratch, and Solidworks was the answer. Actually being forced to do it everyday made me very proficient in the basics and intermediate features.

The sheet metal module blew my mind, as I used to have to manually do the math and lay out all my bends and everything in 2D for the flat blanks and visualize what everything would look like all bent up. Give Solidworks a few details and it does all of that for you, allowing you to focus on the overall part design instead of the minutiae of things like bend radius and K factor.

I'm still learning about some of the more advanced features, as Solidworks is extremely powerful software, and there is SO much to learn.

 

[matt_i]

This is an incredible thread! I saw you were looking for a forklift some posts back . Unless you need additional capacity, a BoxCar Special forklift is a wonderful tool. Hyster makes something like an S80XLBCS2 that's basically an 8k forklift in the "frame" of a 5k. High stacked counterweight is the visual cue.