Kaz's Random Projects

[kazlx]

you need to send me a pair of them stones. I'll grind them flat for ya.

I'll just have to come visit soon.

 

[kazlx]

Wide platen for a belt grinder for a friend that makes knives. Fits the Beaumont adjustable rest.

Custom fixture plate someone requested. 6 x 12"

 

[kazlx]

Updated pic of the platen after anodize.

 

[kazlx]

This weekend's endeavors. 375 parts to make this run and 2000+ total.

 

[stioc]

Nice. That Fadal is earning its keep!

 

[kazlx]

Nice. That Fadal is earning its keep!

Yea man. This order of the cubes is 375, I think I'll be doing about 2000-2500 total.

 

[don long]

That is quite the jig to hold those cubes.
Nicely done

Don

 

[kazlx]

That is quite the jig to hold those cubes.
Nicely done

Don

Thanks,

It's working out pretty well so far. I made three of them and load 10 at a time first op in the Serra Jaws, then load into the fixtures for ops 2 and 3. If the next orders come through, I'm going to work on building something a little better I think.

 

[Bears Fan]

Awesome work Kaz! looks like a lot of fun! I miss my old machinist days...sometimes

 

[kazlx]

Awesome work Kaz! looks like a lot of fun! I miss my old machinist days...sometimes

Thanks, It's a 'hobby' for me that helps pay for tools, fun stuff, whatever. I really just enjoy it and it helps me relax.

 

[bonneyman]

Every time I visit this thread I'm blown away. Your work is outta this world.

Maybe they'll contract with you to do stuff for the Mars mission.

 

[kazlx]

Thanks haha, still plenty to learn. That's what I love about it. I'm just barely scratching the surface...

 

[kazlx]

It's been a little bit. Working on some upgrades to the shop. Been trying to get some storage sorted out to give myself more storage space, but make it efficient. I've been trying to move away from Craftsman and 'mechanic' style boxes to stuff like Lista. I picked up 3 pieces the other day for a little under $500. A single sided desk with a cabinet and leg and two short cabinets. They were crazy filthy, but after a little Simple Green and a roll of paper towels, they are ok. Thinking of refinishing them, but I hate painting, so maybe powdercoat or just **** it up and do them in small batches. I also sanded the maple top on the bench and it came out pretty good. I'm usually ok with 'patina' but this was nasty. I also picked up an extra Kennedy that was too clean to pass up on CL.

 

[kazlx]

My other recent prize was finding a Kaeser SX6 rotary screw compressor with a Hankison dryer and an 80 gallon tank. I paid a little under $1200 for the whole setup. I drive about 4 hours round trip to get it (to San Diego). It turns out it was used for a ride/game at Dave & Busters that was removed. Hours are on the high side but looked clean and with the whole setup seemed ok. In an odd coincidence, the service company sticker on it is a place that's less than 10 minutes from my house. I stopped by there and they sold it new and have been doing the service on it. I ended up bringing it by and they are going to replace a few small things on it and service it. It's roughly 5hp, but it is 3 phase, so I'll have to run it off of my RPC. Hoping it goes ok while the Fadal is running.

I don't have any problems with my current setup, which is a 5hp 80 gal Champion, but it's just loud. Especially in a small space. I also have a nice refrigerated dryer with it that I will probably sell as a package.

 

[stioc]

Nice score! I hear you on the mechanics boxes vs. machinist boxes. Even for most of my mechanics tools I'd rather have lots of 3-4" deep drawers vs. fewer 5-8" inch plus that just waste space.

Did you see the shop tour NYCCNC posted on Theo and Stefan's workshops? I thought their wall storage was pretty efficiently for a very small area and pretty simple in construction too. Just some food for thought.

 

[kazlx]

Nice score! I hear you on the mechanics boxes vs. machinist boxes. Even for most of my mechanics tools I'd rather have lots of 3-4" deep drawers vs. fewer 5-8" inch plus that just waste space.

Did you see the shop tour NYCCNC posted on Theo and Stefan's workshops? I thought their wall storage was pretty efficiently for a very small area and pretty simple in construction too. Just some food for thought.

I saw those. Along with another shop I visited the other day is making me realize I need to shift some setups.

 

[cbacres]

It's been a little bit. Working on some upgrades to the shop. Been trying to get some storage sorted out to give myself more storage space, but make it efficient. I've been trying to move away from Craftsman and 'mechanic' style boxes to stuff like Lista. I picked up 3 pieces the other day for a little under $500. A single sided desk with a cabinet and leg and two short cabinets. They were crazy filthy, but after a little Simple Green and a roll of paper towels, they are ok. Thinking of refinishing them, but I hate painting, so maybe powdercoat or just **** it up and do them in small batches. I also sanded the maple top on the bench and it came out pretty good. I'm usually ok with 'patina' but this was nasty. I also picked up an extra Kennedy that was too clean to pass up on CL.

Nice score! That's a great price. Unless those cabinets have been run over by a 747 or something, it really don't take much to bring them back. I've done a couple that was pretty rough.

I like how the maple top came out.

On the Listas and Vidmars, I degrease ( degunk) the bearings and repack with Superlube #1 grease. I've also found wirebrushing the rails that the drawers ride on and coating with a drylube makes a world of difference on the smoothness of the drawers.

 

[kazlx]

Thanks! They are actually in pretty good shape, other than probably never seeing the business end of a rag or cleaning agent. The top actually went pretty quick after loading up a few pads right off the bat trying cut the bulk of it. I'll have to take a closer look at the bearings and lube them up and clean the rails. I can see cleaning the rails helping a ton.

 

[kazlx]

Quick and dirty refurb on this Wilton I picked up for $20. It was already super clean, so I just wanted to knock the dust off and get it painted, lubed and re-assembled. Stripped it down, chemical stripped grease and most of the paint, bead blasted it, taped it off and painted it. I'll probably make some aluminum or copper soft jaws for it when I get a chance.

 

[jarhead]

Following!

I was a toolmaker in another lifetime

 

[kazlx]

Thanks. More stuff from the other day. Making titanium buckles for my wallets. Few hours to run 21 of the little guys. More spindle speed would be nice. Got a VFD all set up for my drill press so I popped out a bracket to mount the VFD to.

 

[kazlx]

Picked up a Clausing 8540 and 20 Cat 40 tool holders at an auction. Also scored some Venturi vac generators so I’m going to try and build a vacuum chuck. See how that goes...

 

[slowtwitch73]

Those are cool little mills.

 

[kazlx]

Picked up an Ellis 2000 yesterday for $1500 and they even delivered it.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice score on the Ellis bandsaw. Those are top shelf all the way.

 

[kazlx]

I have a Jet 1018 that works well, but doesn’t really miter. So I’m hoping to get the Ellis going and make sure it does what I need it to and then sell the Jet.

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

That's a score! I use a 1600 at work and it is flawless.

 

[joey1320]

I'm in search of custom fabrication work for a pipe bender I just purchased. Would you be interested in such a thing? It's only one piece, not sure if this is something you'd like to do.

For info, I need a proper size jig for 1/2" emt conduit. None of the ones in the kit fit correctly.
Please DM me if you'd like.

Like this -

 

[Duker]

Joe, just checking in to see how you are doing.... you back home yet?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[kazlx]

Hey Duker.

Yea back at home. Feels good. For those that don’t know got the machinist upgrade with some titanium hardware in my neck. Fractured my C6 vertebrae.

 

[jlenander]

Wow Kazlx!
Thats quite the injury! I'm praying you're recovering well and there are no long-term effects or limitations.
I hope at least there's a good story behind it...
Jon

 

[kazlx]

There’s a bit more to the story, but rode my mountain bike in Santa Cruz for a couple days. Last day I crashed hard and broke my C6 vertebrae. Drove 7 hours home from Santa Cruz to Orange County and walked around with a broken neck for two days, literally teetering on paralysis. I could have got out of my truck wrong and been crippled. Couple X-rays, to a CT to a neurosurgeon calling me to come in ASAP. I had a spinal fusion surgery of my C5-C7 and should have an almost full recovery. Pretty hard to wrap my head around.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I saw your video on IG; it's crazy how it didn't even look like a horrible wreck. Goes to show it just takes an awkward crash to cause a severe injury. Glad you're going to make a full recovery.

 

[Duker]

Hey Duker.



Yea back at home. Feels good. For those that don’t know got the machinist upgrade with some titanium hardware in my neck. Fractured my C6 vertebrae.

Joe great to hear! Take it easy and keep the positive attitude!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[LXCam]

There’s a bit more to the story, but rode my mountain bike in Santa Cruz for a couple days. Last day I crashed hard and broke my C6 vertebrae. Drove 7 hours home from Santa Cruz to Orange County and walked around with a broken neck for two days, literally teetering on paralysis. I could have got out of my truck wrong and been crippled. Couple X-rays, to a CT to a neurosurgeon calling me to come in ASAP. I had a spinal fusion surgery of my C5-C7 and should have an almost full recovery. Pretty hard to wrap my head around.

Holy ****. I did almost the same thing back in my early 20's and have the same damn neck zipper. Did they also do a laminectomy?. I ended up fused for 5/6 and then the lami from C3 to C7. You take care of yourself bud, it'll be sore for a looooong time.

 

[zmotorsports]

DAMN!

I didn't realize that you had an accident. Glad your surgery went well. Hope you're on the mend and take care of yourself.

 

[kazlx]

Holy ****. I did almost the same thing back in my early 20's and have the same damn neck zipper. Did they also do a laminectomy?. I ended up fused for 5/6 and then the lami from C3 to C7. You take care of yourself bud, it'll be sore for a looooong time.

Yea man. Sounds like almost the exact same surgery. My surgeon said it’s by far the worst one he’s seen without paralysis. I definitely consider myself lucky.

 

[LXCam]

Yea man. Sounds like almost the exact same surgery. My surgeon said it’s by far the worst one he’s seen without paralysis. I definitely consider myself lucky.

Incredibly lucky. Initially I lost 90% functionality of my arms. The prognosis was pretty grim and I was really bummed out knowing I can’t run a skillsaw with my toes. Thankfully I was at loma linda and had one of the best in the business doing the wrenching. I was told the surgery lasted 22hrs but when it was all said n done life was 90% normal and not the other way around.

Count your blessings my friend.

 

[kazlx]

Dude I can’t even count that high. I’m amazed I’m in as good of shape as I’m in. It really is incredible. Just feels good to be able to walk and talk and use my hands and should be basically 99% when this is over. So many variables and not sure how they all worked out in my favor.

 

[racer-john]

Wishing you the best in your recovery, broken necks can be dangerous. Take care.