Post Recession Shop Rehabilitation Project

[Grumblebum]

It's a work of art Chris well done.

I must remember to get myself a knockout punch.

Cheers GB.

 

[Lyndon]

Chris

Wow - just Wow. I'm out of words.

You really do this stuff well.

I'm betting that when Steve gets up he'll approve whole heartedly (cause he's the expert - I'm just an uninformed spectator).

Still, That's very impressive stuff! How long did you want to spend down here. I could learn a shed load!

Lyndon
Late on a Thursday night

 

[ajohno]

Fantastic work Chris.

 

[bj383ss]

Wow Chris love that control box. You and Dennis (Denwood) are wizards with all the this electronic control boxes and automation. I will just be happy if I get the automatic drain on mine. I love your OCD and how you organize every detail on every project.

Bret

 

[rmalkow2]

Top work on wiring up the motor and controls and the final result shows your care to do it right.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Great job on teh control box!

Not the low budget route, but like you said, it just looks good!

 

[rusty1161]

Nice progress!

Rusty

 

[Huxley]

Impressive!!

 

[250]

OCD satisfied for the week, thanks!

 

[longlivepunk]

I love your electrical work! I need to learn more about electronics. Right now I still struggle with basic household wiring (figuring out conduit bending at the moment: my old cast iron benders don't have angle markings!) but I love the clean, thought-out look of good electrical work. Today I put new crimp-on connections for the wires to and from the pressure switch on a portable compressor I'm fixing to sell and I was damn-near giddy when I was done. So TIDY!! Glad to see you posting again, sir!!

Sent from my B15 using Tapatalk

 

[1/2 Cup]

Chris, top job on the electrics..


Love the attention to detail.

Regards

 

[jeffmoss26]

Great work on the panel!!

 

[NedNorton]

GB (Grumblebum) - Thanks for the kind words. I'm always amazed by how great the knockout punches work. The good ones are expensive so I only buy the ones that I "need" for specific projects. Good thing I have a whole list of projects that "need" different sizes!

Lyndon - You are right, Steve is the pro. I'm just happy that others take the time to read about it. As for our trip, Jen is still in rehab 2-3 times a week. We should know more after the visit with the Doctor this week. Wish us luck!

Aaron (ajohno) - Thanks for stopping in!

Bret (bj383ss) - I think Dennis has me beat. I prefer to work in relay logic, i.e. turn of the century tech, and he is pushing forward. The control boxes are just plain fun. Figuring out what I need it to do, mapping it out, sourcing the components and doing the assembly. I like doing it all and it's just icing on the cake that it adds to the shop.

rmalkow2 - Thanks. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. The reality is that I could have done something much simpler but knowing the way things go, I would have never gotten back to it; at least in this decade.

Andy (oldironfarmer) - Ahhh... Budget. The great part, one of them anyway, is that I had the majority of the relays, LEDs, switches, wire and box left over from other projects. I think for the controls, including the pressure switch, I'm at $50 out of pocket. I just hope that the darn thing works!

Rusty (rusty1161) - Thanks. It's getting there.

Huxley - I just hope that she runs.

250 - Glad I could help!

longlivepunk - Thanks, buddy. I hope things are well up north. I hear you about the electrical appealing to a guys sense of order. It's good to be back.

Steve (1/2 Cup) - Means a lot coming from you. Congratulations on the new grandchild!

Jeff (jeffmoss26) - Thanks. Always good to hear from you.

Thanks for checking in and posting. As always, I appreciate everyone taking the time.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[-Brent-]

Is it weird to say that control box is beautiful. Really well executed. I love your work quality. It's something I strive to achieve. Maybe someday?

 

[NedNorton]

Mill Mobile Base and Compressor Assembly.

I had the rare opportunity to spend both Saturday and Sunday in the shop!

The metal and casters for the mill base has been sitting for months and it was time to get moving on it. And, I think I finished the feet 4 months ago! What the heck have I been doing? First, my buddy and his family came up from Denver and spent Thanksgiving with us. He also brought his portable horizontal band saw (Hem Saw) and made a few cuts for me. The Hem Saw makes really great cuts.


A little quality time with my new to me Hobart 210 and a 40 grit flap disk…


Needed a few additional holes in the base for the fancy adjustable feet I built. Tool Note… Normally I use Lenox hole saws but I picked up a Milwaukee kit on sale a couple of moths ago and have been really happy with them so far. Clean cuts and no broken teeth; It’s hard to ask for more.


Casters welded to the frame (Door open and fan on to keep the fumes away. Good thing it was windy and snowing. ) The base is ready for primer and paint.


Leveling feet... (still need to cut the threaded rod down to fit)


Mill base test fit...



QCT (Quality Compressor Time)

The mill is getting fancy adjustable feet; the compressor is getting stone simple feet. Queue the Hockey pucks and a little grade 8 hardware that I had laying around. Grade 8 is way overkill but it fit the budget (free).

I still prefer drilling on the lathe if possible.






Installed… (Cheap and easy. The pucks were $2 each!)


The second crankshaft bearing showed up on Saturday so it was time to put the blue monster back together.


First bearing on…


Needed a press piece to install the bearing on the pulley side. To the lathe!


Having a lathe comes in really handy sometimes. Tapered roller bearing going onto the crank…




All back together!


I don’t have any pictures of the crank going in. My hands were covered in assembly lube and I was doing my best to not ding the journals.

The compressor is all ready to fire up! Ugh… Except, I forgot to order a belt and oil… Oops. A little quality online shopping later and, Amazon tells me that the belt will be here Tuesday and the Amsoil 20w-20-compressor oil should also be here Tuesday (Amsoil warehouse is in KS, 2 day ground shipping away).

I hope to fire this thing up mid-week and then start working on all the little issues that I’m sure will need attention.

Thanks folks for reading the ramblings. I appreciate it.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Lyndon]

Chris

As usual, all looks superb!

You're getting handy with that lathe now too.

Lyndon
Dinner done! Now what's on the **** toob? ? ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[oldironfarmer]

Without a lathe you have to stumble around and try to find something that fits. I try to keep telling guys that even a vary small lathe will do a lot of work, and they are pretty reasonably priced.

Great work and getting the crank in the compressor is a real milestone. Hopefully you'll never see those journals again!

Praying your wife's progress will be spectacular.

 

[jbmatth]

Compressor looks great, and that control box is . I just picked up a similar compressor yesterday almost the exact same size, but it is a hodge podge of components. I'm sure it'll take me much longer to get mine up and running though.
JB

 

[shortykorte]

Ok I'm totally lost on the control box. I guess I went to art class the day they had electronics class. What's a good way or laymans book to learn this. Also, what is a contactor? Twice in a day I've seen reference to a contactor.

Hope doctors visit bring great news.

 

[Growlertdi]

Read your entire thread today. you are doing a fantastic job on your workshop.

I am glad to hear that your wife is doing well and hope her recovery continues to go smoothly.

I have an old slow speed compressor on a 20 gallon tank that is in need of some TLC. would love to learn more about how to replace the pressure relief valve. I ried bodging on the one from my high speed oilless (noisy!) compressor onto the slow speed one, but it didnt work. (perhaps I didnt hook it up correctly) Either way, this thread is full of great ideas and stories. Looking forward to what you do in the future.

 

[a_thiel24]

That's some great work with the control box. I'm in college right now as an ME and never really took a liking to the electrical stuff. However, your control box for the air compressor and dust collector have me thinking maybe I should start learning. I absolutely love your shop, and your thread is one of the bigger motivators that made me start my own a couple months back.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Ok I'm totally lost on the control box. I guess I went to art class the day they had electronics class. What's a good way or laymans book to learn this. Also, what is a contactor? Twice in a day I've seen reference to a contactor.

Hope doctors visit bring great news.

A contactor is another word for a relay, low current signal from something like a pressure switch closing the contacts for the high current load.

 

[rmack898]

Chris,
The compressor controls are outstanding, I can only imagine what kind of stuff you would be doing in your shop if start playing around with PLC's.

The mill base looks great and I always love the use of hockey pucks. I buy them by the dozen at Dicks sporting goods.

I hope it's good news for Jen this week.

 

[buster09841]

subscribed, just spent a few hours reading this.

woodworking I've got down, but metal work has always amazed me! great work, and in regards to time....I always just tell my wife that quality takes time, after all, you have been working on me for 15 years and I'm still not done

 

[1/2 Cup]

Chris, your compressor has come up a treat..

Regards

 

[oldironfarmer]

Chris,
The compressor controls are outstanding, I can only imagine what kind of stuff you would be doing in your shop if start playing around with PLC's.

The mill base looks great and I always love the use of hockey pucks. I buy them by the dozen at Dicks sporting goods.

I hope it's good news for Jen this week.

I need to look for hockey pucks elsewhere, I was banned when I went into ****'s Sporting Goods and asked the young lady for condoms...

 

[NedNorton]

Hey folks,

I just posted a word of thanks to some of the people who have reached out to us over the last few weeks. There are so many more to thank who don't have active threads so I thought I would try and do it here.

Ahem...
Thanks, everyone. All the support means a lot. More than I can put into words here.

I appreciate everyone reading the ramblings.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[1/2 Cup]

Chris, it brings out what the GJ is all about..

Regards

 

[Lyndon]

^^^^^^

What Steve said.

Amen to that!

Lyndon
Don't ask me how tired I am - it's a long answer!!!!

 

[Lyndon]

Chris

I think we can all be really appreciative of the fact that you went to such lengths to post across so many threads tonight (today).

I really believe in the power of GJ, and of having somewhere that genuine people can be real, appreciated and supported, wherever they are on this big blue globe. . . . . . I know I've really appreciated it.

More power to you and Jen!

Lyndon
Not sayin' anything else. . . .

 

[dhubbard422]

Chris,

Great work as usual! All of your efforts to bring back the compressor are great, but, I really appreciate the control box. Relay, delay, fuse and an hour meter! I think I'll need to pick your brain a bit, as I don't think I'll be able to simply wire up my new Quincy to the junction box...

I hope y'all get really good news from the visit with the doc!

Don

 

[Guster]

Hope all goes well with the rehab and the hospital visits.

Nice progress on the mill base and compressor. Mill project seems to be gathering critical mass - nearing that point where the big chunks can start being put together and stop sitting around in piles and trip hazards everywhere! All the joys of lengthy machine rebuilds.

Never considered moving the compressor controls out to make them easier to see or get too. Gives me an idea as mine is under a bench and hard to get to. Going to have to deal with it if I plan on plumbing for air at some point. Funny enough I'm actually in the process of designing a vacuum pump regulator and control panel so it should have been obvious.

 

[pitterpat]

Chris, you've been through a lot in the last few months. Even though my attendance on GJ is spotty, I 've seen the time you take to reply to everyone and be encouraging to them about their projects, life events and just their general life. This is what the "GOOD" forums are about.

Hope your news from the Dr. is great.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Grizzly sells a 7"x12" lathe you can thread with for $495 plus shipping and it is variable speed. You can usually get a used one for around $1,000 and get some tooling.

When you start small you get the habit and then want a larger one, regardless of how large you start

 

[NedNorton]

Brent (-Brent-) - Thanks for the compliments on the control box. I did want to correct you on one thing though.

I love your work quality. It's something I strive to achieve. Maybe someday?

I spent a bunch of time reading your thread and I could learn a bunch from your work quality.

Lyndon - The lathe has been great. I really can't imagine not having it. - FYI... All of you guys make this place the great place that it is, for sure.

Andy (oldironfarmer) - Thanks for the good wishes. Jen and I appreciate it. Yes, small lathes are great for a lot of things and you are correct, having a small lathe is just the tip of the iceberg. My EMCO, made in Austria, is an 11x30, holds good tolerances and is a joy to use. With that said, if a Mori-Seiki (17x36) were to come up locally at the right price it would be hard to pass up. There are always those projects that I wish I had just a little more capacity for.

JB (jbmatth) - You and I, along with a bunch of others here, have a soft spot for rebuilding and fixing old broken stuff. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Shorty (shortykorte) - Looks like Andy already chimed in and answered the "contractor" question. I'm not sure about a good book to recommend. Most of my limited knowledge came from the years I was a contractor and from what I learned building tube amps. I'm going to post up the schematic for the control in the next post. I'm happy to clarify any of it if there are any lingering questions.

Growlertdi - Thanks for making it through the entire thing. I'm not an expert in compressors but would be happy to help in anyway I can. Feel free to PM me. Like I said, happy to help if I can.

a_thiel24 - I appreciate the kind words. It is always humbling to know that folks have found value in this thing. I say you should play around with the electrical stuff if you get a chance. I'm sure that school is keeping you more than busy. Wether it is Mechanical, Structural or Electrical the best thing about all of it, for me anyway, is finding the solutions to the problems.

Mac (rmack898) - PLC's are on the to-do list. It may be time to start messing around with it. Taking the relay/ladder logic to the next level. The mill will need controls... Hum? May be a good time to get my feet wet. Any help on the subject would be, as always, much appreciated.

subscribed, just spent a few hours reading this.
I always just tell my wife that quality takes time, after all, you have been working on me for 15 years and I'm still not done

buster09841 - Nice! I'll have to borrow that, if you don't mind.

Steve (1/2 Cup) - She is getting there. I made great progress tonight on her. And, I am always amazed at the quality of folks that inhabit this community. Always.

Don (dhubbard422) - Let me know, my friend. Anything I can do to help.

Guster - Can't wait to see the vacuum control. The compressor, as well as the DC, control was born out of necessity. I'm just glad they worked out as well as they did. The Mill- Getting there. One casting, one bolt, one shaft at a time. I may be ready to shoot some paint in the next few weeks and then I'll be ready to make some real progress.

I 've seen the time you take to reply to everyone and be encouraging to them about their projects, life events and just their general life. This is what the "GOOD" forums are about.

pitterpat - I learned all of that from the examples set by the folks here. Thank you.

A big thanks for all the good wishes for Jen's recovery. Looks like we may have another procedure in the future. Nothing too serious from what the Doc said, just a little mop-up.

Thanks everyone for checking in. I appreciate it.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[NedNorton]

It’s Alive! (and holds pressure!)

The last of the goodies for the compressor came in and i felt that I needed to get this project from the, "Almost Done" column to the, "Done for Now/Are projects ever Done?" Column. I need professional help.

2 qts of SAE20 Compressor Amsoil showed up yesterday. I went with synthetic in the hope that I wouldn’t need to change it until the real teardown happens. And, I have no idea when that is going to be so it could be a while. Amsoil has always treated me well in the past. Funny the Quincy manual for the pump (#SLT 7.5) said that it only needed 1qt. Good thing I bought an extra, it took both to get the level right.

The correct 63” belt made it today (the wrong one, 22”, was here Tuesday and now on it’s way back to the Amazon Marketplace Seller).



On and aligned…


I tried, unsuccessfully to embed the video but I guess that the powers that be only allow a link in the “gallery” section.


Yeah Baby!!!!! (Click on the link below the picture for the video.) She runs! And, without any bad noises. Who would have thought? I'm running her at around 900 rpm (max is 1050). The Baldor motor never pulled more than 23 amps. Yeah!!!!

After adjusting the pressure switch to aprox 175/145! (Still waiting on the labels)




She runs and is holding air. Now I just have to find a regulator/filter and some plumbing. It never ends. Does it? Speaking of never ending... I started reading some of the threads on DIY after coolers and it got me thinking.

Thanks for reading the ramblings. I appreciate it.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Grumblebum]

Well done mate. Now you need to get that 60 series in and put the compressor to work

Cheers Grumblebum.

 

[250]

And what are you thinking? Pipe tree or more of a converted radiator style?

 

[bj383ss]

Looks great Chris. I wonder how many gauges are present in your shop. I bet your LC is going to have a few.

Bret

 

[joneschase]

Read the entire thread, and I have to say your attention to detail and pride in your work is remarkable!
Keep up the great work!