rattle_snake's random shop projects v0.1

[ntsqd]

I got chewed on by the doc for the first bit of metal he pulled out of my eye. Was wearing PPE, woke up the next morning with my eye glued shut from the tearing overnight. Best guess is it got into my eyebrow and migrated during the night.
Then two weeks later he starts to lay into me again when I interrupted him and told him how I had seen it coming flying up, felt it bounce off my eyebrow, saw it bounce off the INSIDE of my safety glass lense, and land in my eye.

I am now fully convinced that carbide burrs are works of the devil and their slivers are evil incarnate. I am hyperactive in my pre and post use prep and cleaning of myself and the work area. I now use my M12 spot vacuum (oops, sorry Bob) to vacuum up all of the shavings, NO blow guns allowed!

I've been told that metal in the eyes and MRI's are mutually incompatible.

 

[slodat]

I have both of the M12 band files. I use them daily. Along with the right angle die grinder (I need to get another one), and the M18 variable speed 5" angle grinders. I have almost completely converted to cordless for my fab work. SO much more control with the cordless tools. I won't show a family photo of them all because I don't want acknowledge that I probably have 40-50 red battery powered tools.

OH! And the long reach 3/8 ratchet. It's incredibly useful!

 

[burger]

OH! And the long reach 3/8 ratchet. It's incredibly useful!

I have been thinking about a cordless ratchet. Why the long? Intuitively I'd think a short one would fit more places, but maybe I'm wrong? I have an air ratchet that I never use because the hose is always in the way.

 

[ntsqd]

"Bandfile", oh great!......

 

[slodat]

I have been thinking about a cordless ratchet. Why the long? Intuitively I'd think a short one would fit more places, but maybe I'm wrong? I have an air ratchet that I never use because the hose is always in the way.

The head is tiny. I use it a lot in electrical switchgear. Tight spaces, etc. I wouldn't want to be without it.

This is the model I'm referring to - 2569-20.

Added some comparison in my shop thread so I don’t clutter things up here.

 

[rattle_snake]

I've been told that metal in the eyes and MRI's are mutually incompatible.

meh, I had several a few years ago. They just do an x-ray first. Now I just omit that on the paperwork.....

Not a fan of being strapped to a board and imprisoned in a tiny tube.

This is the model I'm referring to - 2569-20.

Added some comparison in my shop thread so I don’t clutter things up here.

Yes well thanks but it does little to stop the enabling.

Here is a pic for those who need to pick one up (won't name anyone here)

 

[rattle_snake]

Since we are on the subject of cordless tools and how they improve out lives, I realize I have replaced pretty much every corded/air tool with a cordless. I still have some corded/air tools but they are special purpose and rarely used.

When I first got an air comp and air tools it was life changing. I think the migration to modern cordless tooling is on the same level.

 

[rattle_snake]

"Bandfile", oh great!......

They are great. Often the ONLY tool that will do the job, like removing that booger weld in a corner.
They will hog out steel quick but use up a belt as fast. So I buy a large pack of belts.

It's just one more tool, no big deal.

 

[rattle_snake]

I made a trip over to the new Industrial metal supply in phx. I had heard the new facility is awesome. It is!
The old one on 48th was a *********** of dudes, pickups and trailers. Racks seemed to be empty of only the stuff I needed, so will call and associated wait it was.
New location is huge and has plenty of giant parking spots. Each spot is 15' wide. Showroom has big isles and racks are stacked. I was in-and-out quick, just poorer than before.

 

[rattle_snake]

Unable to spend the dough on a nice multi-sided press brake die like @zmotorsports, I grabbed some 1" bar at IMS and made another insert for my swag.

I found need to do short radius bends on narrow thick steel. Like 2" x 1/4". Existing die base is 3" angle. A 1x2 and 1x1 make the top height just above the angle. Minimal spot welds just to make one piece, and radius of bottom edge to fit in angle.




Next step is to make a slightly larger radius version out of 1/2" x 2-1/2" and 1/2" x 2".

 

[rattle_snake]

Picked up some 8' lengths of 1x1 aluminum sq tube to reinforce the camper bed rails. They are very thin and have no meat in the needed plane. The extra material spreads load of clamps. Not sure if I like the extra thick gasket but is does seal well.

 

[slodat]

Since we are on the subject of cordless tools and how they improve out lives, I realize I have replaced pretty much every corded/air tool with a cordless. I still have some corded/air tools but they are special purpose and rarely used.

When I first got an air comp and air tools it was life changing. I think the migration to modern cordless tooling is on the same level.

I'm in the same boat. My shop air is used for machinery, automation, and for blow guns. I haven't used a pneumatic hand tool in many years.

They are great. Often the ONLY tool that will do the job, like removing that booger weld in a corner.
They will hog out steel quick but use up a belt as fast. So I buy a large pack of belts.

It's just one more tool, no big deal.

I bought the 3M band file years ago. It was a total game changer. Now that I have the cordless band files, the pneumatic is a $600 paperweight. I buy belts from Empire Abrasives. I've been happy with them.

 

[ntsqd]

They are great. Often the ONLY tool that will do the job, like removing that booger weld in a corner.
They will hog out steel quick but use up a belt as fast. So I buy a large pack of belts.

It's just one more tool, no big deal.

Yeah, it's just another tool that I don't have. Yet. I'm going to soon need a tool box specifically for the cordless power tools and all of their various consumables and accessories.
MISF recently telling me that I needed to get one, only his is pneumatic..... eeuuuwwww. LOL

 

[SilverJimmy]

For my cordless tool storage I used old 4 drawer filing cabinets, three of them the same height. Makes a convenient place to charge batteries on top and I can also stage what tools I’m using on the top as I pull them out of the drawer.

 

[rattle_snake]

The new toolbox in the bed of the '72 can't open far enough (due to bed rail) to stay open. Need one hand to hold it open, which is not cool. To solve, I added some gas struts and set them up so that the lid open angle is limited. These are 8", 18#, a 12" would be better.

New video · Sunday, Jul 16, 2023 🎬

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photos.app.goo.gl

 

[rattle_snake]

I have wanted to repaint the mill some color other than green for a long time. Finally prioritized and got it done. Started with a good cleaning, scuff and painting the base and the main machine castings.


But I can't stop there, fresh paint makes the old paint look worse. So disassembled to get the belt cover, handles and some other things off.
Touched up the motor with some silver paint. The mill was originally yellow, then painted HF green.


Cleaned and painted the belt cover. I was forced to clean and turd polish all the filthy parts. Smooth castings, replace fasteners, paint.


The thrust bearings behind the feed wheels were bone dry. Lubed them up and reset way tension. Smoother than ever now. Put a new power cord on it that was appropriate length.


Last item was to build a solid base. The casters have no lock feature and unit was wobbly. Used some left over material to build a spacer 1/4" taller than the casters.


Shims are used to level the machine. Much more solid and stable.

 

[ntsqd]

Going to give the lathe and the band-saw the same treatment?

I've an older version of that band-saw and I've been wanting to build a sturdier base with an under-tray for it for some time. It just never seems to get high enough on the list for it to happen.

 

[slodat]

Justin - mill looks great! They make a power feed for the X axis on those mills. It can really help in getting nice surface finishes.

I'm here to help you spend your money.

 

[rattle_snake]

I think it's been about 10 months since I bought the plasma table. Finally got around to building a chassis on wheels for it. Was going to enclose the whole thing, but decided to keep it super simple instead. Since the casters add height, I minimized by leaving void in corners to drop another 2". With level feet removed height went up about 3.5", and is now at 34.5, same as weld table ironically. Started with a frame out of 16 ga 2x2.


Used some expanded steel I've had around for a decade or more for the floor. A bit too short, so filled the gap with some sheet.



I used the plasma to cut the outline and broke 3 sides at 90* to make welds easier and on the bottom.


Welded some casters on. 2 regs, 2 swivel w/ brake.


Went with black paint to blend in.


Loaded the table onto it's new set of wheels.


Added some receptacles on the back of the table and shortened the cord. Blast cabinet plugs in here so service cart doesn't have to roll over blast cabinet cord. Just used what I had on hand. No J-box so used a switch box and exposed work cover that shouldn't go together.

 

[rattle_snake]

Going to give the lathe and the band-saw the same treatment?

I've an older version of that band-saw and I've been wanting to build a sturdier base with an under-tray for it for some time. It just never seems to get high enough on the list for it to happen.

No, they are OK as-is. The mill would chatter cutting steel and the whole thing would dance.

Justin - mill looks great! They make a power feed for the X axis on those mills. It can really help in getting nice surface finishes.

I'm here to help you spend your money.

Ha, yes. help. Thanks Steven.
I have been shopping cross feeds and DROs. Import stuff is cheap, $150.

I have an opportunity to buy a Bridgeport mill from my friend who owns a machine shop. It already has x-feed and DRO. Price is right.
But it is physically larger and I don't have a need for a mill with better capabilities. I'm a hack still learning and what I have is sufficient at the time. As much as I want to jump on the deal, there are other tools and upgrades that would serve me much better (better lathe, drill press, band saw. Sheet metal brake, bender and so on. )

 

[ntsqd]

Sorry, wasn't clear. I was thinking more the paint and 'polishing' part.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job on the detail and paint work on the mill. That turned out great, but I am a fan of machinery gray on shop equipment.

Also, great idea on the die for your SWAG brake.

 

[rattle_snake]

Sorry, wasn't clear. I was thinking more the paint and 'polishing' part.

Ahhh, yes the turd polish.

The lathe is in decent shape, cleaned up, and it has a non restricted paint color. It has same non-locking casters. Plan to make a similar block for swivel wheels only to hold it in place better.

I have wanted to make a new frame for the HF 4x6 band saw since I bought it. Hasn't made the priority list, but soon. Doing some designs now. Probably leave the saw itself red and paint frame black.

Nice job on the detail and paint work on the mill. That turned out great, but I am a fan of machinery gray on shop equipment.

Also, great idea on the die for your SWAG brake.

50s green isn't for me, but yes grey looks the part.
Thanks!

 

[rattle_snake]

I was looking at some NewAge wall cabinets, delivery is awhile out.
Have to figure out what to do with the bumper shelf.

 

[LXCam]

No, they are OK as-is. The mill would chatter cutting steel and the whole thing would dance.

Ha, yes. help. Thanks Steven.
I have been shopping cross feeds and DROs. Import stuff is cheap, $150.

I have an opportunity to buy a Bridgeport mill from my friend who owns a machine shop. It already has x-feed and DRO. Price is right.
But it is physically larger and I don't have a need for a mill with better capabilities. I'm a hack still learning and what I have is sufficient at the time. As much as I want to jump on the deal, there are other tools and upgrades that would serve me much better (better lathe, drill press, band saw. Sheet metal brake, bender and so on. )

Don’t feel bad about that decision Justin. Over a couple decades ago I built an entire table assembly with two 7 drawer lista cabinets plus a full chip guard entirely base around my wrong-fu mill. Built in all the control wiring and air into the frame work. Basically 75% of everything I use for mill work exists right there and it’s handy as hell

In time I bought a supermax knee mill. Oh it was nice unit, not clapped out and 100% intact. But man oh man did it eat up some footprint.

In time my machining area got so condensed I had to make a decision on what to keep or say bye too. And it was a difficult choice giving my supermax to a good buddy. But it’s what made the most sense for my needs.

There’s isn’t anything wrong with those mills. They’re only limited by talent……..well that and maybe a little more HP

 

[rattle_snake]

Always need a little more HP!

and some more tooling.

 

[rattle_snake]

I found another grey tool that would improve my life. Guess I'll have to build a stand.

 

[ntsqd]

…..well that and maybe a little more HP

"We have too much Power."
-- No one, ever.

 

[rattle_snake]

I'm getting too old or smart to pick up and carry a whole sheet of 3/4 MDF. Cut enough for a few major pieces off so it's manageable size. Material is for 72 Ford speaker box v2.0

 

[rattle_snake]

Changed up color scheme on my belt grinder. Blue and black to gray for sheet metal and stand.


Put a coat of clear over the rust on the drum and disc. Fiddled with a few things I was in a hurry with originally. Awesome machine. Finger remover.

 

[rattle_snake]

Added another hanger strip for the growing tool safety focus.

 

[rattle_snake]

Good day for painting


Color change for welding table doors. Red to blue and back (isn't that opposite of the belt grinder? ) That was part of the blue HF cabinet color choice.




The air tools are being deprecated, upside is more convenience..

 

[PhantomEB]

Glad I not the only one who likes all his **** on casters. two more sets fell into my Amazon cart. Those are for the BBQs.

 

[Clemson13]

Glad I not the only one who likes all his **** on casters. two more sets fell into my Amazon cart. Those are for the BBQs.

I was all about casters... Then I bought my pallet jack. I like to build things able to be moved by the pallet jack even more. Takes a little more room to move them.

 

[rattle_snake]

A set of casters is $100 now

 

[ntsqd]

Pallet jacks make great grown-up Scooters. Just don't crash one into the roll-up door track at 4:58pm on a Friday or your co-workers (& boss) aren't going to like you very much.....

 

[rattle_snake]

 

[ntsqd]

Yeah..... we didn't have those yellow posts.

 

[rattle_snake]

Finally got around to building a better base for my 4x6 HF bandsaw. Yes the existing held the saw off the floor, but I was never happy with it. The saw has COG offset right due to motor, and base needed to be no longer than the saw casting due to clamp crank on front and the ability to go vertical. So design was similar to the old, tapered in both directions to get stability. I built two rectangles with mitered corners using the Evo chop for nice clean 45s. Hand fit the legs, reused the speaker box grill expanded steel for the base.


New chassis on casters. 4 tabs to bolt down saw.


Mounted saw. Not shown here, but Evo chop now lives on lower shelf, and it's custom cart can go away and free up some space.

 

[rattle_snake]

Continuing the theme of unnecessary aesthetic changes, I repainted the press base. It was blue and looked like the after thought it was. I saved a most empty can of wheel paint that happened to close match, so put down a few coats.