Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Looks like I have an extra decade under my belt.
The repurposing thread
- Thread starter BMB
- Start date
willy3486
Well-known member
If your into the Powermatic tools and need some metalworking tools look for Tennsmith tools. I live just outside of McMinnville TN where both companies were started. The Smith family started both, Powermatic that they sold I think in the 60s and then started the Tennsmith factory. The early Tennsmith reminds me of the Powermatic stuff. I have a 18 inch planer and a tablesaw my dad gave me before he passed. He had a really nice jointer but my mom let my nephew sell it for scrap before I knew it was gone.
willy3486
Well-known member
If you were not so far and still had the chassis I would be interested in buying it. I have that same top and bottom case in good shape but no chassis. I took it with some other stuff in on a trade of a stereo amp repair years ago. I figured eventually I would find someone needing a good case. But if I find a good chassis I would put one in it.
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
For the wood shop I decided to get everything to match where I could and Powermatic fit the bill with their quality and extensive lineup of tools. Delta and a few other brands would have worked as well but after buying the saw the choice was made. An all Oliver equipped shop would be fun too but they, like other high end manufacturers equipment, doesn't come up for sale very often. I'd agree that Tennsmith makes good quality sheet metal working tools but I didn't know about the Powermatic connection. I think I have a couple pieces. I'm not far from McMinnville Oregon so maybe that was an influencer as well. 
Ed.
Ed.I held onto the chassis for awhile. I even put it on Craigslist for free. No takers. I wound up just tossing it in the garbage.
willy3486
Well-known member
If I am not mistaken a Newby man left McMinnville Tennessee and founded McMinnville Oregon. I think he went there and was a nurseryman. McMinnville is called the Nursery capital of the world or use to be. As far as powermatic and Tennsmith I have relatives who worked in both places and grew up with some kids who were related to the Smiths. When my dad needed parts he for his planer he would get a relative to get them. They would usually give the parts to the workers. I have been in the Powermatic factory but not Tennsmith. The Powermatic factory was huge and had its own furnace. All that is left is the orignal concrete floor.For the wood shop I decided to get everything to match where I could and Powermatic fit the bill with their quality and extensive lineup of tools. Delta and a few other brands would have worked as well but after buying the saw the choice was made. An all Oliver equipped shop would be fun too but they, like other high end manufacturers equipment, doesn't come up for sale very often. I'd agree that Tennsmith makes good quality sheet metal working tools but I didn't know about the Powermatic connection. I think I have a couple pieces. I'm not far from McMinnville Oregon so maybe that was an influencer as well.
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Just going back over a few pages and noticed someone else found a use for these cool cardboard box handle "reinforcers".I saw this on the net somewhere so I stole it.
I used the plastic handles on the box my new smoker came in. Turned them into holders for the temp probes.
I bought a compressor that came in a very heavy box with these plastic, snap-together hand hole things. I used them to trim out hand holes in a 1/4" plywood surround I use to cover an overhead storage area in my garage. Makes it look better, I think.
Here's Before and After:
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Monza Harry
Well-known member
Larry, I have some of those, mine came from the packaging from some Costco steak knives. I bought the missus a set of knives. After starring at these I decided to use these for grommets on a toolbox project. I was short 2, so after a short walk through Costco later that week I found 3-4 on the floor. These are for material around 1/16" thick but look very similar to yours and Dan's HarryI saw this on the net somewhere so I stole it.
I used the plastic handles on the box my new smoker came in. Turned them into holders for the temp probes.
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PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Did they check your receipt when you left with the free grommets?
Monza Harry
Well-known member
No just threw them in the bottom of the cart with the other typical Costco rubbish filled buggies, 4 grommet halves 2 produce bags and some shredded cardboard, with the groceries. Looked like they belonged! Harry
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Costco, the only retailer that sends their customers home with their packaging waste with a smile on their face.
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bubinga
Well-known member
willy3486
Well-known member
About 20 years ago I was cleaning my parents place up for my mom after my dad passed away. He grew up during the depression so he saved everything, I found a set of springs that I thought was off a horse drawn wagon so I saved it from the scrap pile. I thought they were under the seat but I not so sure. I planned to make a wagon bench seat from them. I finally recently was able to work on it.
I had cut some trees off our property the state took for a road widening project a few years ago. I milled the logs into boards using a Alaskan chainsaw attachment for my chainsaw. I let them air dry and they were ready to use. I didn't have any plans other than the springs themselves, a plastic tray for a sliding box to hold shoes and a few pictures I found on the web. I had some scrap metal I made new holders for the springs. I also made some pieces to add a extra wood piece to the back.
As far as the box I made it so the plastic tray sits down on it. Under it I plan to mount a couple of drawer sliders I salvaged from a point of sale tray under the computer. As far as the bench goes its just about done. I will have to take it apart so I can primer and paint the metal pieces and also to varnish the wood. So other than the bolts and screws I got the bench was mostly made from a tree that was going to be burned by the state that they let me get and scrap metal I saved.
I had cut some trees off our property the state took for a road widening project a few years ago. I milled the logs into boards using a Alaskan chainsaw attachment for my chainsaw. I let them air dry and they were ready to use. I didn't have any plans other than the springs themselves, a plastic tray for a sliding box to hold shoes and a few pictures I found on the web. I had some scrap metal I made new holders for the springs. I also made some pieces to add a extra wood piece to the back.
As far as the box I made it so the plastic tray sits down on it. Under it I plan to mount a couple of drawer sliders I salvaged from a point of sale tray under the computer. As far as the bench goes its just about done. I will have to take it apart so I can primer and paint the metal pieces and also to varnish the wood. So other than the bolts and screws I got the bench was mostly made from a tree that was going to be burned by the state that they let me get and scrap metal I saved.
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bubinga
Well-known member
bubinga
Well-known member
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm thinking that you might want to get that prescription reevaluated... Seems to be causing hallucinogenic crafting...
bubinga
Well-known member
That's very nice brother! Keep up the good work love to see all the repurposed things.About 20 years ago I was cleaning my parents place up for my mom after my dad passed away. He grew up during the depression so he saved everything, I found a set of springs that I thought was off a horse drawn wagon so I saved it from the scrap pile. I thought they were under the seat but I not so sure. I planned to make a wagon bench seat from them. I finally recently was able to work on it.
I had cut some trees off our property the state took for a road widening project a few years ago. I milled the logs into boards using a Alaskan chainsaw attachment for my chainsaw. I let them air dry and they were ready to use. I didn't have any plans other than the springs themselves, a plastic tray for a sliding box to hold shoes and a few pictures I found on the web. I had some scrap metal I made new holders for the springs. I also made some pieces to add a extra wood piece to the back.
As far as the box I made it so the plastic tray sits down on it. Under it I plan to mount a couple of drawer sliders I salvaged from a point of sale tray under the computer. As far as the bench goes its just about done. I will have to take it apart so I can primer and paint the metal pieces and also to varnish the wood. So other than the bolts and screws I got the bench was mostly made from a tree that was going to be burned by the state that they let me get and scrap metal I saved.
I'll bet you never think you'd see me a guy taking an old pill bottle and making his own coffee scooper LOL yours is nicer but necessity is the mothers of invention! Not to be confused now with Frank Zappa and the mothers of invention that's a different department!
bubinga
Well-known member
Oh yeah I'm crazy
That's what it is when you were under depression for on and off 10 years after I got out of the hospital. And then he starts feeling better the simple things please you!
I make guitar picks out of credit cards too!
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
How did you Discover that?
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Wow, what a niche market this guy has created.
bubinga
Well-known member
this ls why l love this group!!~!
bubinga
Well-known member
l was granted a Visa to be resourceful!~!
bubinga
Well-known member
l'm not much of a guitar player, so take it FWIW, but l liked some of my home-made picks, better than the store-brought ones!
bubinga
Well-known member
It works well too........LOL Funny, I matched it up to the store brought one l have, and it's super close to the measuring size!Coffee scoop made from old pill bottle, and lampshade Finial.
So I have this single post on my back porch... It's been rotting at the bottom for oh, let's say, at least 15 years. It's ugly, but it's not structural. I know because I tripped and knocked it completely over before, lol, so it has no load on it. It's just a square post with 1x6" covering it, and the 1x6" are curling up at the bottom where they rest against the concrete porch.
Anyway, I've been looking for something to replace it with. My house is from the 1860s, but it's been butchered by landlords over the years, and has very little old-world charm left. So when I get a chance, I try to inject some history back into it with renovations.
I found this old cool porch post at a flea market:
It has a little rot on the end, but it's actually at least a foot longer than I need, so I'll be cutting the rot off. I picked it up for $10. So that's a little regular-ol' repurposing. But here's where I added a little resto-mod repurposing.
I used to work at an electronics recycler, and I would scavenge things from the scrap bins. Things of zero value usually, but cool things anyway. One day we were scrapping these displays that had huge slabs of plastic? Acrylic? I don't know. But probably 2" thick heavy plastic. My boss took some home to blow up with firepower, and I took some home to use for "someday" projects. Well, today is that "someday".
I gave the slab to my friend who has a homemade CNC/routing-type thing. He said he'd do my project if I bought him the bit/blade for his machine. Done deal. He cut me two end caps for this wooden porch post out of the acrylic. I had him route a 1/4" deep pocket for the post to sit it, and round off the corner to look old-timey.
Then I had him put a dimple in the middle so I could put an LED in each one. That way it will have a faint, frosty glow at night. Today I was scavenging some white LEDs out of a junk light bar, and mocking up the blocks:
I was wondering how I was going to hide the wiring from the bottom LED to the top... I thought maybe I would cut a slit in the post tuck the wire into it, then fill the slit with wood putty and hand sand it. But today I looked closer at the post, and it's got a hole all the way up the middle! Hallelujah! That will save so much time! I saw the hole in the center when I bought it, but it was full of crud and I didn't know it went all the way through.
So the blocks will run on 12v, and I have a security camera right above where these blocks will go, so I will just tap that 12v power source.
That's all I have today; it's raining so I can't finish the job today. But I just wanted to share my trash-scavenged, resto-mod porch post project as it develops. I literally have $10 in the whole thing (except buying the bit for my friend's CNC, I think that was $40, but you know, on GJ tool costs don't count, lol).
But I figure the plastic blocks will look cool glowing, and they will separate the porch post from the concrete and reduce future rot. And it will look just old-timey enough, but have that futuristic touch, I dunno. I think it's gonna be neat-o.
Anyway, I've been looking for something to replace it with. My house is from the 1860s, but it's been butchered by landlords over the years, and has very little old-world charm left. So when I get a chance, I try to inject some history back into it with renovations.
I found this old cool porch post at a flea market:
It has a little rot on the end, but it's actually at least a foot longer than I need, so I'll be cutting the rot off. I picked it up for $10. So that's a little regular-ol' repurposing. But here's where I added a little resto-mod repurposing.
I used to work at an electronics recycler, and I would scavenge things from the scrap bins. Things of zero value usually, but cool things anyway. One day we were scrapping these displays that had huge slabs of plastic? Acrylic? I don't know. But probably 2" thick heavy plastic. My boss took some home to blow up with firepower, and I took some home to use for "someday" projects. Well, today is that "someday".
I gave the slab to my friend who has a homemade CNC/routing-type thing. He said he'd do my project if I bought him the bit/blade for his machine. Done deal. He cut me two end caps for this wooden porch post out of the acrylic. I had him route a 1/4" deep pocket for the post to sit it, and round off the corner to look old-timey.
Then I had him put a dimple in the middle so I could put an LED in each one. That way it will have a faint, frosty glow at night. Today I was scavenging some white LEDs out of a junk light bar, and mocking up the blocks:
I was wondering how I was going to hide the wiring from the bottom LED to the top... I thought maybe I would cut a slit in the post tuck the wire into it, then fill the slit with wood putty and hand sand it. But today I looked closer at the post, and it's got a hole all the way up the middle! Hallelujah! That will save so much time! I saw the hole in the center when I bought it, but it was full of crud and I didn't know it went all the way through.
So the blocks will run on 12v, and I have a security camera right above where these blocks will go, so I will just tap that 12v power source.
That's all I have today; it's raining so I can't finish the job today. But I just wanted to share my trash-scavenged, resto-mod porch post project as it develops. I literally have $10 in the whole thing (except buying the bit for my friend's CNC, I think that was $40, but you know, on GJ tool costs don't count, lol).
But I figure the plastic blocks will look cool glowing, and they will separate the porch post from the concrete and reduce future rot. And it will look just old-timey enough, but have that futuristic touch, I dunno. I think it's gonna be neat-o.
Craptain
Well-known member
I think it will be cool too.So I have this single post on my back porch... It's been rotting at the bottom for oh, let's say, at least 15 years. It's ugly, but it's not structural. I know because I tripped and knocked it completely over before, lol, so it has no load on it. It's just a square post with 1x6" covering it, and the 1x6" are curling up at the bottom where they rest against the concrete porch.
Anyway, I've been looking for something to replace it with. My house is from the 1860s, but it's been butchered by landlords over the years, and has very little old-world charm left. So when I get a chance, I try to inject some history back into it with renovations.
I found this old cool porch post at a flea market:
It has a little rot on the end, but it's actually at least a foot longer than I need, so I'll be cutting the rot off. I picked it up for $10. So that's a little regular-ol' repurposing. But here's where I added a little resto-mod repurposing.
I used to work at an electronics recycler, and I would scavenge things from the scrap bins. Things of zero value usually, but cool things anyway. One day we were scrapping these displays that had huge slabs of plastic? Acrylic? I don't know. But probably 2" thick heavy plastic. My boss took some home to blow up with firepower, and I took some home to use for "someday" projects. Well, today is that "someday".
I gave the slab to my friend who has a homemade CNC/routing-type thing. He said he'd do my project if I bought him the bit/blade for his machine. Done deal. He cut me two end caps for this wooden porch post out of the acrylic. I had him route a 1/4" deep pocket for the post to sit it, and round off the corner to look old-timey.
Then I had him put a dimple in the middle so I could put an LED in each one. That way it will have a faint, frosty glow at night. Today I was scavenging some white LEDs out of a junk light bar, and mocking up the blocks:
I was wondering how I was going to hide the wiring from the bottom LED to the top... I thought maybe I would cut a slit in the post tuck the wire into it, then fill the slit with wood putty and hand sand it. But today I looked closer at the post, and it's got a hole all the way up the middle! Hallelujah! That will save so much time! I saw the hole in the center when I bought it, but it was full of crud and I didn't know it went all the way through.
So the blocks will run on 12v, and I have a security camera right above where these blocks will go, so I will just tap that 12v power source.
That's all I have today; it's raining so I can't finish the job today. But I just wanted to share my trash-scavenged, resto-mod porch post project as it develops. I literally have $10 in the whole thing (except buying the bit for my friend's CNC, I think that was $40, but you know, on GJ tool costs don't count, lol).
But I figure the plastic blocks will look cool glowing, and they will separate the porch post from the concrete and reduce future rot. And it will look just old-timey enough, but have that futuristic touch, I dunno. I think it's gonna be neat-o.
Pics when you get finished.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That ethereal glow may act like a bug light on a hot, humid summer night.
Cool idea, though.
Cool idea, though.
atch
Well-known member
CoogarXR,
Will that post get rained on? I'm just wondering if water will run down the post and pool in that recess. If so a small hold drilled on an angle downward to the edge of the plastic would be easy now; impossible later.
Great idea and execution. I agree; please post pix when done.
Will that post get rained on? I'm just wondering if water will run down the post and pool in that recess. If so a small hold drilled on an angle downward to the edge of the plastic would be easy now; impossible later.
Great idea and execution. I agree; please post pix when done.
Yeah, it will see some weather (mainly wind-blown rain- it doesn't rain into the back porch area too often). I was going to put a bead of clear silicone around the where the post fits into the plastic. That should seal it up. Plus the hole up the center of the post is about 1" - 1.5", so I have room to glob some silicone over the LED too, just in case any water makes it past the first silicone layer.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Weep holes in the bottom would still be a good idea.
Wood and plastic have different coefficients of expansion, and the caulk joint will eventually fail, probably against the plastic. A little moisture getting in isn't going to cause significant damage if it has an open exit path.
The apparent texture on the surface looks like a dirt catcher. If that's a concern, maybe find a way to smooth it off. But the glowing base thing seems really cool.So I have this single post on my back porch... It's been rotting at the bottom for oh, let's say, at least 15 years. It's ugly, but it's not structural. I know because I tripped and knocked it completely over before, lol, so it has no load on it. It's just a square post with 1x6" covering it, and the 1x6" are curling up at the bottom where they rest against the concrete porch.
Anyway, I've been looking for something to replace it with. My house is from the 1860s, but it's been butchered by landlords over the years, and has very little old-world charm left. So when I get a chance, I try to inject some history back into it with renovations.
I found this old cool porch post at a flea market:
It has a little rot on the end, but it's actually at least a foot longer than I need, so I'll be cutting the rot off. I picked it up for $10. So that's a little regular-ol' repurposing. But here's where I added a little resto-mod repurposing.
I used to work at an electronics recycler, and I would scavenge things from the scrap bins. Things of zero value usually, but cool things anyway. One day we were scrapping these displays that had huge slabs of plastic? Acrylic? I don't know. But probably 2" thick heavy plastic. My boss took some home to blow up with firepower, and I took some home to use for "someday" projects. Well, today is that "someday".
I gave the slab to my friend who has a homemade CNC/routing-type thing. He said he'd do my project if I bought him the bit/blade for his machine. Done deal. He cut me two end caps for this wooden porch post out of the acrylic. I had him route a 1/4" deep pocket for the post to sit it, and round off the corner to look old-timey.
Then I had him put a dimple in the middle so I could put an LED in each one. That way it will have a faint, frosty glow at night. Today I was scavenging some white LEDs out of a junk light bar, and mocking up the blocks:
I was wondering how I was going to hide the wiring from the bottom LED to the top... I thought maybe I would cut a slit in the post tuck the wire into it, then fill the slit with wood putty and hand sand it. But today I looked closer at the post, and it's got a hole all the way up the middle! Hallelujah! That will save so much time! I saw the hole in the center when I bought it, but it was full of crud and I didn't know it went all the way through.
So the blocks will run on 12v, and I have a security camera right above where these blocks will go, so I will just tap that 12v power source.
That's all I have today; it's raining so I can't finish the job today. But I just wanted to share my trash-scavenged, resto-mod porch post project as it develops. I literally have $10 in the whole thing (except buying the bit for my friend's CNC, I think that was $40, but you know, on GJ tool costs don't count, lol).
But I figure the plastic blocks will look cool glowing, and they will separate the porch post from the concrete and reduce future rot. And it will look just old-timey enough, but have that futuristic touch, I dunno. I think it's gonna be neat-o.
I got the post cut to length, holes patched, sanded, painted, and wired up. It's all ready to install. I did go ahead and drill a weep hole in the bottom plastic block, because, after all your encouragement, why not, lol. Here it is, enduring the final test before install:
It's not really that bright, my camera just couldn't adjust to the darkness.
I'll install it on the house probably next week. The weather is all crappy, and I have a ton of other work to do. But at least it's ready to go!
It's not really that bright, my camera just couldn't adjust to the darkness.
I'll install it on the house probably next week. The weather is all crappy, and I have a ton of other work to do. But at least it's ready to go!
fartymarty
Well-known member
Nice job, you might want to try some stick on numerals on the street facing side for the street address?
atch
Well-known member
1. Please post more pix after installation on the house.I got the post cut to length, holes patched, sanded, painted, and wired up. It's all ready to install. I did go ahead and drill a weep hole in the bottom plastic block, because, after all your encouragement, why not, lol. Here it is, enduring the final test before install:
It's not really that bright, my camera just couldn't adjust to the darkness.
I'll install it on the house probably next week. The weather is all crappy, and I have a ton of other work to do. But at least it's ready to go!
2. In days of old when I took pix with a relatively high zoot Nikon 35mm camera with about a hundred adjustments available to the user that pic could have been made and look like you were actually looking at the post. Unfortunately in today's world most of our telephones can't make much of any adjustment for light levels.
3. Good plan and good execution on the plan. I like the porch post.
TheDuckBuster
Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2024
- Messages
- 17
It was mentioned to me I should post my modded tool cart on this thread as well as the original thread I posted on because I used "scrap" pieces of aluminum diamond plate that I obtained from the scrap bin at my work. I work at an industrial factory that builds aluminum trailers as an industrial maintenance tech.
So here it is, everything added to the cart (minus) the shelf was obtained from the scrap bin and then cut to size, modified/fabbed by me then added to the cart. The door i went a little different than conventional route with because i wanted to be able to open and close it in limited space areas. So I cut the door itself to size then fabbed a sliding track/hinge system for it.
I'll also post a picture of my latest endeavor of scrap material usage. I needed a wrench holder for my ratchet wrenches, but with the tool cart being small I have limited space and well they don't make the "one size fits all" wrench holders to the exact size I needed to get them all to fit. So I once again went to the scrap bin got some material and fabbed up a wrench holder. Came out decent...its not perfect but it will get the job done until I have some actual time to fab up something a little nicer/cleaner.
So here it is, everything added to the cart (minus) the shelf was obtained from the scrap bin and then cut to size, modified/fabbed by me then added to the cart. The door i went a little different than conventional route with because i wanted to be able to open and close it in limited space areas. So I cut the door itself to size then fabbed a sliding track/hinge system for it.
I'll also post a picture of my latest endeavor of scrap material usage. I needed a wrench holder for my ratchet wrenches, but with the tool cart being small I have limited space and well they don't make the "one size fits all" wrench holders to the exact size I needed to get them all to fit. So I once again went to the scrap bin got some material and fabbed up a wrench holder. Came out decent...its not perfect but it will get the job done until I have some actual time to fab up something a little nicer/cleaner.
Attachments
rocksnstumps
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2024
- Messages
- 157
Picked up rusty, crusty horizontal drilling machine for woodworking at an auction. Besides all the rust expect the 480V 3 phase stickers all over caused it to go cheap. Soon as I saw it had a repurpose idea.
Here is just part of the equipment detached from the base already. Has a couple of 3 hp motors for driving the drilling spindles. The orange guard over the drive belts did not really guard much. Not OSHA approved I'm sure.
After some chopping off the one end and reorienting of the dovetail motor assy. The mostly finished build minus some paint or more likely some metal blueing compound. Uses a chinesium vfd to run the oversized motor for a belt grinder (rewired to 240V 3 PH) but hey works great. Did buy a plate with some nice slots off ebay to allow pivoting the left working end with upper and lower idlers sourced from the auction unit. Other stuff came from the steel scrap pile. Belt is tensioned using the original acme threaded dovetail assy for the motor.
BTW, the rolling stand is a couple of TV monitor stands I got at a high school shop auction. Two for a $1! Cost me more for the hardware to bolt the plywood on and the couple of small angles underneath. Probably $2.50 total
Here is just part of the equipment detached from the base already. Has a couple of 3 hp motors for driving the drilling spindles. The orange guard over the drive belts did not really guard much. Not OSHA approved I'm sure.
After some chopping off the one end and reorienting of the dovetail motor assy. The mostly finished build minus some paint or more likely some metal blueing compound. Uses a chinesium vfd to run the oversized motor for a belt grinder (rewired to 240V 3 PH) but hey works great. Did buy a plate with some nice slots off ebay to allow pivoting the left working end with upper and lower idlers sourced from the auction unit. Other stuff came from the steel scrap pile. Belt is tensioned using the original acme threaded dovetail assy for the motor.
BTW, the rolling stand is a couple of TV monitor stands I got at a high school shop auction. Two for a $1! Cost me more for the hardware to bolt the plywood on and the couple of small angles underneath. Probably $2.50 total