The switch went out on the grinder, new switch time. To attach it to the pedestal, the previous owner used [...]]]> This was a weekend of building and equipment repair. The air system went out on the Sharps machining center. So out with the old and a completely new regulator, filter and oiler went on.

The switch went out on the grinder, new switch time. To attach it to the pedestal, the previous owner used bolts with square nut. He attached the grinder to the plate and then another set of bolts to hold the plate to the stand. With everything rusted it took a little longer then I would have liked. So a new switch, new wiring and re-drilled and taped the holes for cap screws.

Not exciting , but things that have to be done.

With the hard piping completed all the old hoses were [...]]]> Part of this last weekend was spent working on the hydraulic forging press and the fluting machine for the VG1-5. I started by threading all or at least most of the 3/4 high pressure hydraulic piping necessary. This is a video for the project.

With the hard piping completed all the old hoses were removed and new ones ordered. The pipe supports were also ordered and the throttling valve for the fluting press. Hope to have it together this weekend.

There were projects that I have been wanting to accomplish that are fun. Some of the things I needed to finish were under the direction of the commander in chief of the house. Some [...]]]> Like all weekends I started out with a list that I could not possibly get done in the time frame allotted.

There were projects that I have been wanting to accomplish that are fun. Some of the things I needed to finish were under the direction of the commander in chief of the house. Some projects are necessary to finish the VG1-5 project. And some just needed to be done.

I started my Saturday morning with trying to get the pistol grip of the AR-16 rifle 3D printed. The PLA that came with the 3D printer is old but seemed to work on the first few projects. That was not going to be the case this weekend. The material did nothing but continue to break off in the feed tubes. After spending a few hours on this I just threw my hands but and ordered some new material.

I hope to back on this project next weekend.

On to the next project. This is doing a little upgrade to by duplicator. I have always found it to set to low for me so I wanted to raise it and changed where is sat slightly. I was able to put the risers on it after a little adaptive engineering.

However, when I went to look for my Johnson bad and skates, about an hour of looking, I could not find them anywhere. A friend borrowed and I will have them back on Tuesday. Then like a fool I tried moving it with out them and not such a good idea. More on this later.

So now off to another project and that is one of the trees at the house has been a little sick and needed to come down, this was a project handed down from the commander. So the task was set into motion. All the limbs had been cut down and taken to the dump all that was left to do was use the backhoe and remove the rest of the stump.

The backhoe decided to take the weekend off. Nothing would get it to start.

I wanted to install new A/C units in the wood shop and machine shop. With the temperatures that we have been having there is no joy in working in the shops. To do this in the machine shop I needed to take down the evap cooler first. This little project took several hours and was not the least bit of fun in the 110 degree heat.

However the A/C guy called about 2 in the afternoon to inform me that he did not pick up the units and it would be next weekend before they would be out. It was okay as I still needed to run the new electric line for the A/C’s and while I was at it I would change the wiring around a little. I also needed to install a return air duct. To do this work I first had to move the bead blaster.Then cut the osb and sheet rock off the wall.

Then the wiring was run for a new 40 amp circuit and set up out side with a new disconnect.

I went to use the small air compressor in the wood shop, the big one needs a new motor and that is another project for another day. It has been acting a little iffy lately so a new pressure switch was ordered and received on Friday.

Once again Murphy came back to visit. The switch that was ordered and suppose to work was not the correct type.

Once again the weekend did not go as planed. In addition to all the fun I had in the 110 degree heat some where along the line I pulled my back and could hardly walk,sit or lay down without being in great pain. Not sure if it was the trying to move the duplicator, taking down the evap, dealing with the tree or running the new electric. At that point I just threw in the town and took my wife to the movies.

No, it is not up and running yet, however some of the components that were ordered finally arrived and we were able to start working on it again. The bad news is that some of [...]]]> A great deal of work went on this weekend and part of it was some work on the cnc router’

No, it is not up and running yet, however some of the components that were ordered finally arrived and we were able to start working on it again. The bad news is that some of the items we did order are not the correct parts that we needed.

The majority of work completed was minor as well as a number of solid models were drawn to start making our own parts.

As is always the case in any shop it needed to be cleaned off first so it could be worked on.

Next the control panel was mounted in place.

All the limit switches were made from bent pieces of sheet metal and needed to be replaced.

Aluminum angle was cut and drilled then mounted to support the limit switches.

Aluminum angle stops were installed as well

Simple things were accomplished. A number of drawings were completed in solid works to start generating the necessary drawings so to allow me to machine the new side panel and connector adapter.

More work will be completed this next weekend, hopefully the rest of the material will be here.