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.

The new vent installed and the gas forges in place. The forging press needs to be moved about 4 feet to the [...]]]> I was able to clean up part of the fab shop today. I am hoping to get the gas forge up and running shortly. Just a couple of pictures of the forge area.

The new vent installed and the gas forges in place. The forging press needs to be moved about 4 feet to the east.

The mechanical hammer I built a couple of years ago. The return spring broke this weekend and now something else to fix.

One of two leg vises

My old anvil that I got from a dumpster. One day I hope to find one in better condition. A project in the near future to build a better stand for it.

Moving the back plate over was no big deal, once in the fab shop it was loaded on [...]]]> It was a productive weekend as weekends go. The holes were drill into the side or the forging press I-beam to support the fluting machine. Here are a few pictures and a quick video of the process.

Moving the back plate over was no big deal, once in the fab shop it was loaded on the die cart with an extra steel plate to allow us to move it closer to the press.

The backing plate was clamped and then marked.

A bushing was made to allow for proper alignment.

Then the best money spent on this part of the project.

A magnetic drill was rented. It made the job so much easier. I really want one of these.

A quick video of the process

We went through the wood shop to get it back in order to allow me to finish the stocks for the VG1-5 rifle project. I have to tell you this took some doing. It has been the junk holding room for a while. This is how it looked last night. I finished the electrical Sunday morning.

One problem was found though. Termites.

One more thing to fix.

I moved the big dust collector outside and started a new room for it and the air compressor. This is the dust collector.

And the new room.

It is not large, but it will hold the equipment just fine. I also started on the table saw back bench.

The fab shop ceiling was completed.

And caulked

This weekend is also honey-do weekend as well. The tile needed to put down in the hallway and bathroom and the new lighting installed. This [...]]]> Well the fab shop new addition is now framed up and ready for a concrete pour. With any luck I will have the concrete completed in October.

This weekend is also honey-do weekend as well. The tile needed to put down in the hallway and bathroom  and the new lighting installed. This is by the end of Friday night.

This is the progress by Saturday night.

And the progress in the bathroom.

This is the end at Sunday night for the hall.

And the bathroom.

The hall lighting was installed as well.

The fun task is the solid works class that we put on for my friend from Texas. He is scheduled for a stop over here for a couple of days with his job, so it is time to learn and do a project. In this case we are working on the fluting press and a set of back grips for his semi 1919.

More work has been completed on the Japanese 99 magazine.

We are also working in the fab shop. There is a lot to be completed in here to allow me to go forward with the projects. The first item completed is the band for the bracket to hold up the vent exhaust tube for the forge area.

And a close up.

After the clamp the supports were made.

The complete assembly up and in place.

Now with the tube installed.

On to the next project. I have a section of 1″ steel plate that has a few supports welded on it. This will be cut up and machined for the necessary components needed for the fluting machine.

A little close up of the welded supports.

After all the supports are removed and ground the plate looks like this. A simple project that tool several hours and was way to much fun. This was accomplished with a cutting torch and a couple of grinders.

Then it was time to lay out for the necessary parts. This next phase of the project was completed by the world famous MacGuyver

A special welding guide was made up for a straight cut.

Starting the cutting operation.

All the cutting was done on my home made cutting bench.

The cut part way through.

A couple of looks at the completed cut slab.

From here it will be cut on the saw for the correct lengths and milled for proper size. That task will be completed this next week.

Here is a quick video of the torch cutting operation.

The rest of the honey do list was tackled. Last weekend we drilled hole in the frame of the walk in cooler and injected foam to act as a thermal barrier. I might have got a little carried away with the foam.

After a week of removing the excessive foam and sanding the frame we painted it again.

Once we got started with painting we just finished everything that needed to be done.

Time to go back to the fab shop for some more fun. More work was completed on the hot forging press. The hydraulic manifold was welded on.

And the brackets for the piping were welded on as well.

Enough fun for the this weekend.