"Must Have" Tools for Christmas

Smitty Two wrote:
In article UuAqf.67976$sg5.36718@dukeread12,
"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" wrote:



So when are ya gonna get the good stuff like Central Machinery?
Y'know, I could get hurt asking questions like that

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired


I really don't know anything about the hobby machines, but I've always
been curious. In many cases I'm sure I could live with some reduction of
power and precision, - at least for making airplane parts - but I'd
suffer without the automation.

When digital readouts came along, I thought we were in tall cotton. Then
we got the Bridgeport EZ traks (cnc) and we felt like we'd emerged from
the dark ages. I don't think I could dial off a bolt circle anymore, let
alone use a rotary table to make an arc. And I can't remember the last
time we rotated a rotating vise.

I don't think the machining center is going to have an advantage over
the EZ trak for making one or two parts, but it'll sure speed up
production work.

Anyway for now, I don't have room (or money) at home for a machine, so
I'll have to continue to make the 3 1/2 mile drive down to the shop when
something that can't wait til Monday needs more than a file or a hand
drill.


Hobby sized machines are not too shabby for one offs. If nothing
else it's good for keeping one's "feel." There's nothing they can do
that a full sized lathe can't do as well if not better. I sure wouldn't
use a home lathe to get four place precision. As for space I have mine
on a roll away cart.

I have tried CNC, it's really nice for production or complex parts. I
never do the former and rarely do the latter so I am doing alright.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

JIG: A home-built device designed to misalign parts as they are
fabricated.

Table saw: efficient powered tool used to convert expensive spruce into
worthless dust.

Sewing machine: another power tool used to assemble an monstorously
large section of fabric into an impossibly large section of fabric.

Drill bit: a convenient way to fill holes in metal parts, or hardwood
such as white ash landing skids. Frequently used with power drills, the
pointed end is first inserted into the hole, and then the drill is used
to snap off the appropriate length of bit.

Transport trailer: a device for rotating your aircraft, airshow
displays, or both onto their side for more difficult access. Best used
on US 36 between Joe's, Colorado and Last Chance, Colorado in
crosswinds exceeding 50 kts.

Aircraft rib steamer: a good way to use up 161 lbs. of propane gas

Wright 1902 Glider: ancient and obscure device used to separate men
from US Dollars, roommates, neighbors, romantic partners and the
generally sane. other uses include vaccum-cleaner test module, storage
obsticle, transport trailer ballast, that thing hanging on my wall
above my bed, and my sole source of income for the last 3 months of
2003.

Merry Christmas,
Harry

"wright1902glider" wrote

Transport trailer: a device for rotating your aircraft, airshow
displays, or both onto their side for more difficult access. Best used
on US 36 between Joe's, Colorado and Last Chance, Colorado in
crosswinds exceeding 50 kts.

You didn't!!! Oh, you did?

That must have been a real (bad) experience. Mind sharing the story?
--
Jim in NC

Jim,

Yep, it went over on its left side. I was only about a mile outside of
Byers, CO and the safety of a parking lot big enough to turn the beast
into the wind (it'll take over 120mph into he wind), but I had to turn
broadside to the wind to get there. There was no other shelter, the
squall was moving in... not too many options. Fortunately damage was
limited to the upper left corner sheet metal, the left hub dust cap,
the bolt-on fender, and the trailer coupler. Less than 3 minutes after
she went over, t was surrounded by no less than 3 cowboys, 2 farmers, a
trucker, and a cop. Where all of these folks came from, I'll never
know. Highway 36 just isn't that busy. But they were there, thank God.
Four of us lifted the trailer back onto its wheels (it weighs less than
600lbs. i'm guessing). One of the cowboys produced a 3lb. sledge from
his dually, gave the coupler a few good whacks, and restored my rig to
limp-into-town condition. I found a replacement coupler at a 24-hr
walmart in Denver, and was back on the road 4 hours later. Fortunately,
Byers is only about an hour from where I'm living now. When i finally
got the trailer door open, I was amazed to find everything still in its
place! No damage to the glider or show equipment at all!

The trailer is sealed up and tied down for the winter. It'll need
repairs and a good weight-balance check before its roadworthy again. I
was surprised to find its about 500 lbs. lighter than I had estimated.

"wright1902glider" wrote

Yep, it went over on its left side. I was only about a mile outside of
Byers, CO and the safety of a parking lot big enough to turn the beast
into the wind (it'll take over 120mph into he wind), but I had to turn
broadside to the wind to get there.

Four of us lifted the trailer back onto its wheels (it weighs less than
600lbs. i'm guessing).

You know, if it was me having to haul such a light trailer, with such a high
wind profile, I would consider putting a layer of 4" concrete block on the
floor, with a layer of plywood on top to make a new floor. That would do
wonders to lower the C of G, and make it much more pleasant to pull in all
wind conditions, and corner better. I'll bet a little load on the springs
would make it bounce and shake the load a lot less, also.

Glad everything turned out fairly well, anyway.
--
Jim in NC

("Morgans" wrote)
You know, if it was me having to haul such a light trailer, with such a
high
wind profile, I would consider putting a layer of 4" concrete block on the
floor, with a layer of plywood on top to make a new floor. That would do
wonders to lower the C of G, and make it much more pleasant to pull in all
wind conditions, and corner better. I'll bet a little load on the springs
would make it bounce and shake the load a lot less, also.


I had one of those as a kid in the early 70's. It had a home out in the
garage.

....we called it a rock tumbler.

http://www.rocktumblinghobby.com/


Montblack :-)

"Montblack" wrote

I had one of those as a kid in the early 70's. It had a home out in the
garage.

...we called it a rock tumbler.

Might be a good idea to hold the plywood down, here and there! g

I too, had a rock tumbler. Takes way too long. I seem to remember putting
a bigger motor on it, or changing the drive ratio, to speed it up a "little"
bit. I had to put the right kind of rocks in it, or they could start a
fire! ;-))
--
Jim in NC