Kaz's Random Projects

[bullnerd]

Nice lathe! Big spindle bearings and a treadle brake. Only problem with using a lathe with a foot brake...is then using one without it! You get so use to having it that you still lift your foot when you want to stop the spindle.

I have one of those "helpers". She wouldn't move so I could take a pic of my mill when I brought it home so I told her to at least look like shes working, so she grabbed the handle.

 

[bonneyman]

gimbal mechanism that won't end up getting used for anything...but I learned some stuff.
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Awesome thread, amazing work dude!
I will be following regularly!

This little gimbal toy looks like the perfect beginnings of a gimbal ratchet!

 

[autoclassicnut]

Thanks guys. Sometimes it seems hard to make time with a family and a full time job, but it's relaxing being out in the garage.

So true... but remember they grow up quick, then you will have time for yourself...

 

[kazlx]

Nice lathe! Big spindle bearings and a treadle brake. Only problem with using a lathe with a foot brake...is then using one without it! You get so use to having it that you still lift your foot when you want to stop the spindle.

I have one of those "helpers". She wouldn't move so I could take a pic of my mill when I brought it home so I told her to at least look like shes working, so she grabbed the handle.

Yea, the lathe is pretty amazing. I was shocked at the difference between my old Logan and this. Being able to use carbide effectively is just a whole new world. I remember dreading harder materials or having to remove material off of a part. It makes it a lot easier when you can shave 1/4"+ off the diameter at a time. Not nearly as tedious.

My boy loves the tools. Anything with handles that turn and move things...

Awesome thread, amazing work dude!
I will be following regularly!

This little gimbal toy looks like the perfect beginnings of a gimbal ratchet!

Thanks. The gimbal was actually for a GoPro, I built it for my brother and started to work on a prototype to sell, but now, the electronic ones are getting so cheap, there wouldn't be any money in it.

So true... but remember they grow up quick, then you will have time for yourself...

I can't believe how fast two years have gone by already.

 

[kazlx]

Added a lower plate with 1.1" holes to hold the bottom of the tools to keep them from sliding around. Made some .4 spacers and bolted the thing together again. It's all .125 sheet.

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[mike13u]

awesome

 

[JustinS]

great work, that tool holder is a great idea.

 

[kazlx]

Let's do this:

https://scontent-sjc2-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11225078_10153609955644168_1174676142231074122_n.jpg?oh=561c9279fb4f39af09c451b833fbdeec&oe=56734524

https://scontent-sjc2-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/12003412_10153609955689168_3703414474992359606_n.jpg?oh=5c7d109ff5293ab26fbffbfae7607820&oe=5667D309

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[bullnerd]

Belt grinder?

 

[kazlx]

Yessir. 2x72 'EERF' grinder. The plans and dxf files are available online. It is 'supposed' to be cut from 1/2" material, but I had some scrap 3/8 from a job and will be using that. Those were cut with 85A consumables. Came out on the money on the dimensions. I decided to just drill the holes since they are easy to lay out and most of them are smaller.

 

[kazlx]

Cut out the last couple pieces I needed last night. Had to do some material jockying to get a few long ones cut out. Should be able to start drilling some holes. Planning on machining some or all of the pulleys myself. May also do some aluminum cores and cast polyurethane on it myself for contact wheels. I found a place that specializes in poly casting 5 minutes from my house.

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/11960159_10153613409144168_6097300877883752484_n.jpg?oh=132694b09d6e631479532d8c6f2ab45a&oe=56625E42

 

[kazlx]

Learned an awesome trick today, thanks to Arclight Dynamics. They make plasma tables and use Sheetcam and Mach3 with their tables. They also have quite a few helpful videos on YouTube. I saw this and had to try it out. I wish I had found it before I cut out all the grinder parts...

You can setup the plasma to basically 'peck' the surface with a low amp burst. This gets written into the G-code to get performed before the rest of the cutting. You then write a hold code into the program, so once it is done pecking all the holes, the gantry will hold and you can reset the amperage to cutting capacity. You are then able to run the rest of the program and cut parts as normal. Result...perfectly laid out 'spotting' holes, with a small round divot that is easy to run a drill bit through. This is ideal for holes that are too small to plasma, which is usually where hole size is smaller than plate thickness. This is going to be a heavily used trick...

Don't mind the half circle. Was testing it out in scrap. I drilled half of the holes just to test everything out. Works extremely well.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11040960_10153614461894168_576916547827562606_n.jpg?oh=ed36ad177a928cb3b42fb6d22550c5f8&oe=56A413A2

 

[bullnerd]

Cool trick.

I've heard nothing but good things about Arclight Dynamics, even guys that have used many different versions and brands praise their stuff.

Someday!

 

[JonBoehman]

Where is Part 6? Lol! Looking good

 

[kazlx]

Where is Part 6? Lol! Looking good

I guess on one of the redesigns they combined two of the parts, so 6 went away, but they left the other numbers the same.

 

[kazlx]

Cool trick.

I've heard nothing but good things about Arclight Dynamics, even guys that have used many different versions and brands praise their stuff.

Someday!

If I were to buy a complete system, no questions it would be from them.

 

[Jason Lister]

Yes, I just started using the peck pierce about a month ago. It's pretty awesome. You can also turn the amperage down to reduce how much nozzle damage the peck does. I was doing 30 amps on the 85 amp consumables.

I used it on the 1" AR400 excavator thumb I just built. Mark the holes, cut the profile and then used my mag drill with hougen carbide cutters to cut the pin holes.

 

[kazlx]

Yes, I was using 25A at .12 height for the peck with the 85A consumables on the 3/8 plate. Worked awesome. I'm sure I will be using it a ton. Super convenient with the gantry pause code that lets you start with low amps for the pecks and then up the amps for the rest of the cutting. Super slick. Pretty awesome to find out of the ordinary ways to use tools.

 

[nine4gmc]

Posting to follow your projects, looks like fun!

 

[zkling]

Awesome work, reminds me that I really need a plasma table, yes... Need.

What motor and drive pulley will you be running on the grinder?

 

[kazlx]

I have a Leeson motor laying around I picked up cheap. If that doesn't work I'll probably buy a 2ish HP motor for it. I'd like to set it up with a VFD. Planning on a 5" drive pulley right off the shaft.

 

[cbacres]

Looks great. I'll be following this thread as I'm planning building one someday.
Will you have interchangeable platen and straight contact wheel?

 

[kazlx]

Thanks. Yes, planning on a couple arms, flat platen removable for slack belt, and a couple different size contact wheels. I want to try and make some contact wheels myself.

 

[bullnerd]

I helped build some grinders at a company I worked for years ago. They made doctor blades, used for loading printing rolls with ink. Basically the edge of a razor blade but VERY long strips. We had a local rubber place vulcanize the rubber onto an aluminum hub and we ground it off. The grinder was just part of a tool post grinder mounted on a simple track that had the desired radius of the wheel. It was simple and worked good. The real trick which some old azz machinist came up with was dripping antifreeze on the grinding wheel while cutting. came out beautiful and didn't load the wheel.

 

[steel 35]

Yes, I just started using the peck pierce about a month ago. It's pretty awesome. You can also turn the amperage down to reduce how much nozzle damage the peck does. I was doing 30 amps on the 85 amp consumables.

I used it on the 1" AR400 excavator thumb I just built. Mark the holes, cut the profile and then used my mag drill with hougen carbide cutters to cut the pin holes.

Yes, I was using 25A at .12 height for the peck with the 85A consumables on the 3/8 plate. Worked awesome. I'm sure I will be using it a ton. Super convenient with the gantry pause code that lets you start with low amps for the pecks and then up the amps for the rest of the cutting. Super slick. Pretty awesome to find out of the ordinary ways to use tools.

I have been using C&CNC's way; just changing the (Peck delay) That adjusts time the torch fires .2 -.5 suggested.

I found and saved the cut file; but learned a while back what the wheels cost and found something else to do Cool project

 

[kazlx]

I have been using C&CNC's way; just changing the (Peck delay) That adjusts time the torch fires .2 -.5 suggested.

I found and saved the cut file; but learned a while back what the wheels cost and found something else to do Cool project

How do you do it that way in Sheetcam? I'd be interested in trying it out. Still use low amperage?

 

[kazlx]

When it rains it pours. I've been using a ****** HF bandsaw for a few years now. Always been prowling for a better one, just haven't been able to find anything I like for a good price. Well, the other day, I decided to list a Di-Acro corner notcher for sale since I never use it. It just sits there, since anything is easy to cut with the plasma. That, combined with the fact that I don't (and probably never will) have a shear. So I listed on CL and also mentioned I'd be willing to trade. Guy hits me up wanting to trade for a Rockwell 7A bandsaw that he replaced with an Ellis he scored at an auction. Repainted, new bearings, nice saw, great for the garage. Picked it up last night.

https://scontent-atl3-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/12002984_10153619664674168_2983073792621298781_n.jpg?oh=e0bead31e64713bd70d5d85073b0db74&oe=566FC651

Then, cruising good ol' CL and managed to see a Jet 10x18 saw for $400, 10 minutes from my house. I texted him at midnight and told him I'd take it. Picked it up at 6:30 this morning. This was at a manufacturing plant and the guy got a good deal on a two year old automatic saw. He said he got a deal on this a few years ago, so just wanted to pass it on. Score. He loaded it up with a forklift, even better.

So I went from one crappy HF 4x6 to two nice saws. Leaning towards keeping the Jet, but not sure. Not sure I can score another deal on a $5k saw again..

https://scontent-atl3-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/11039238_10153619656379168_3764942626958382323_n.jpg?oh=97fed2e1611c5db02b5f923fb068d587&oe=56A7793B

 

[steel 35]

Here is the only Page's I can find to help, And a screen shot of the post processor. The Peck Delay is shown with a 0 It works well as fast as .05
Not using lower amps and its fast.

 

[fergus]

Wow dude. Score!

 

[nine4gmc]

What a deal!!! I'd take a HF right now, one of those others would be over the top awesome!!

 

[kazlx]

If you were closer, I'd give you the HF one

 

[nine4gmc]

 

[kazlx]

Brew time
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[kazlx]

Working on an aluminum wallet last night. Had the garage closed up, so I didn't really want to run the plasma or weld. Fired up the Bridgeport. I've bought some different versions off of Kickstarter and really like having gone to a minimalist design. All I carry is a few cards and cash.

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12004740_10153625190104168_9110239504539088246_n.jpg?oh=3129196515fa5e3d4ab31b6208883285&oe=566F5606

I messed up my math somewhere, or touched off on the wrong spot and made the floor too thin, so I had to cut out the bridge to keep it from tearing out. Still came out pretty good I think. I'll carry it around for a bit and probably make another one. Still need to finish the piece for the strap and get some elastic material for a strap.

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11933475_10153627390499168_6102415080064089866_n.jpg?oh=bcd7547232a189b47427ea8b57c3d2fe&oe=5667685F

 

[fergus]

Cool. I've looked at different minimal wallets before...they all seemed too "busy" to me. Yours looks much more simple...in a good way.

 

[Boost Creep]

i like the bottle opener

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

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Great work, but gaawwsh!! this gave me flashbacks from my days in a CNC machine shop -- 99% of our work was aluminum electronics chassis just like this style in all shapes and sizes....by the hundreds. Number per shift depended on complexity...All de-burred by hand while the machine ran the next batch.....it got old pretty quickly for a young machinist expecting to use his brain like you would to make that on a manual machine.....

 

[kazlx]

Got a little present from my buddy the other day.

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12036558_10153631470334168_7718357590960276599_n.jpg?oh=823560c81b7d3fff224e04db750dbdce&oe=56A80449

 

[bullnerd]

I've seen them on IG, I follow that dude, congrats.

"you'll shoot your eye out"

 

[kazlx]

Yea, he's a talented dude. I think he's planning on a Kickstarter for them. He's the one I cut the Ti for on the plasma.