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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The South Bend lathe. I will leave the belt configuration as
is. Currently it has a single phase VFD on it. At the previous building I
complained to Bill that the wiring was causing tripping issues, so he installed
solid conduit. Right now, it does not have any wires. Bill is trying to get the
CNC wood machine working so he is unavailable to work on it. I will look and
see if I can wire it without conduit. I'll try to think of something. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The Mill, Bridgeport and Bandsaw are currently functional,
just buried under junk. The hardness tester needs its tooling organized. I
need to figure out an optimal placement for the grinder.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Training for the hardness tester would be useful. I found it
difficult to remember the steps myself, even after going through the
documentation for it. I'm wondering if it might be useful to record it and then
go back and break the steps down.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The EDM discussion was about two different EDM machines. One
was about a shop machine that was being discarded, and another discussion was about
an EDM project that can be installed on a 3D printer. The shop EDM machine was
a no go for a number of reasons: it was non-functional, it would need a large
investment, it would take up a lot of space, it was the wrong voltage, it had little resale value, and it
would be very expensive to move. The second option was more viable, it was a
project called “Powercore.” Another member bought one of the components
themselves. This involves putting EDM like components on to a 3D printer. My main
concern was that research into safety procedures should done, since little is
known about the hazards of this process by most people (including me). Being
the size of a 3D printer, space didn't seem like an issue. I doubt such a hypothetical
machine would have the tolerances needed since 3D printers are open-loop (no absolute
position encoders). But it could be useful. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">I partly think that separate training for the smaller lathes,
if the user has had training on the SouthBend, isn't needed. Basic documentation,
manual, or etc on the operation of those machines would save a lot of time. But
I also agree that training of any kind would make their use safer. It’s a valid
point. In which case, all the machines in the shop should get training. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">As for the yellow combination lathe/mill, this is going to
be a long explanation. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The Machine Shop has a two-person rule and many people found
it problematic. It has been the main complaint about the machine shop. Me and
Bill were talked about how to make the machine shop more accessible to users
while also being safe. I went online and tried to feel out the safety rules to
see how we were doing with our procedures to see if the two-person rule was excessive.
But the general advice I received was towards more safety. There were recommendations
that the woodshop should adapt a two-person rule with the table saw, and that
the practice should not be limited to the machine shop.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">With that, my alternative idea was to pursue a sweet spot of
“hobby machines” which were big enough to use but not big enough to cause
serious injury (as in requiring hospitalization) where the second person rule
for the use of that machine would be dropped. This is the case with the drill
press for example. One makerspace I looked at online had had a hazard class
rating system on their machines. They had their machines rated one through four,
with the last one only being usable by staff. That’s not to say that dropping
the two-person rule on smaller machines will make the machines safe, since someone
determined enough can send themselves to the hospital from using a pencil
wrong, but rather ultimately of lower risk. This would be machines that have low
stored momentum. I'm not sure where to draw line, but I think the idea of
having smaller middle ground machines is worth trying. Provided there is space.
<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">This is where the combination lathe/mill machine comes in. Some
time ago we had a 3-in-1 Smithy donated to us from the AFB. It was never
maintained and needed work just to turn on. Additionally, it took as much floor
space as our “real” machines while not having any tooling. The machine Bill
brought in is similar, except that 1) it was a working machine when it was
removed 2) it includes tooling 3) it has a manageable footprint 4) It has a DRO.
On top of that, it is a common popular conversion to CNC. The machine is also 120V
and would have good resale value if we decided to get rid of it.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Having said that, I’m kicking myself for not getting this <a href="https://www.bentleysauction.com/auctions/11007/lot/354129-plas-labs-chamber-w-prazi-sd-300-lathe" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline">https://www.bentleysauction.com/auctions/11007/lot/354129-plas-labs-chamber-w-prazi-sd-300-lathe</a>
I was going to bid on it but by the time I got home I was too tired and forgot
about it. Lathes have issues with stored momentum, and that machine seemed like it was of a good size without being too big. Granted the amount of money I could have put down would have been
limited. The sherline and unimat are nice and small, but I don't recall if we
have all the tooling for them.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The other way to make the machine shop viable, would be if
quelab got a security guard of some kind and/or we have designated machine shop
hours. In theory that’s doable, since we have three lathes and three mills. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Another option I tried was to get a co-steward to run the
shop and train people. Over the years I never managed to find the right
candidate. Generally everyone filtered out in to two categories: competent but unavailable,
not competent and available. Recently one person said that they are interested,
and I plan on putting them through training once I get the South Bend going.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The previous shop steward, Eric, made it all work by keeping
regular office hours every week but that’s just impossible for me with my
family obligations (among other problems I'm not going to list here). <br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
But there are also some people that think that the
two-person rule should apply to the shop no matter what machine is being used,
out of principle. This is something that would be done under say “shop Thursdays”
when you have a large enough user base to just show up at once. I'm not in that
mindset though. The user base isn't there. Right now having a wall separating the
woodshop and the machine shop means that the second person would have to be in
the machine shop to qualify, and that’s going to be hard to manage. If people
simply ignore it, then we'll have a culture of ignoring safety and an injury lawsuit
on our hands.
<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">So that’s why that yellow lathe/mill is there. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"></p>
</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Feb 23, 2025, 6:11 AM S Ford <<a href="mailto:sford.soar@gmail.com" target="_blank">sford.soar@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">I wish I could come in and help Denis. I’m on travel again next 70 days or so; back home for a couple of weeks then out again; back home then gone mid June to 8 July….. I have plans to use the Southbend early May or early July if it is available <br>
<br>
As for priorities that I value:<br>
- Southbend Lathe; the mill that we test on; the Bridgeport; one of the other lathes; bandsaw; hardness tester; pedestal/bench grinder to grind cutting tools.<br>
<br>
I don’t see the ShopSmith as a useful tool. It doesn’t have the precision that I look for.<br>
<br>
I would like to get one of the Unimat lathes going: a jewelers size lathe can be quite useful on tiny parts; I have experience setting one up and maintaining it. And am happy to instruct others in use <br>
<br>
Similarly: I’m happy to have a gathering where machine shop folks can learn about the hardness tester and how to use it. The utility of it is determining the condition of a steel or alloy before one attempts to machine it on the other equipment <br>
<br>
I can applaud Tim wanting to refurb the EDM and CNC….. and I thought that he wanted to recondition and resell those? but I don’t honestly see much utility in having them in the shop unless a user or users are going to run numerous parts to support an incubating biz.<br>
<br>
As for safety procedures:<br>
- I thought that the basic procedures for the machines that have been developed are good; and that key was training on the machines that one would use. I don’t believe in one policy fits all machines and that becoming familiar with the basics then getting an introduction to a machine and it’s characteristics are key<br>
- with regard to limiting torque or power on a machine in the name of safety……. I would like to avoid that and instead emphasize respect for the power of the machine and, when used improperly, for the ability of a machine to cause serious injury. To me the risks are no different than those that exist in the wood or welding shop areas.<br>
<br>
I should be in town all of Fall and early winter. Can come help you, etc<br>
<br>
Sent from my iPhone<br>
<br>
> On Feb 22, 2025, at 23:50, Denis Muradov via Machineshop <<a href="mailto:machineshop@quelab.net" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">machineshop@quelab.net</a>> wrote:<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Just brainstorming here. <br>
> <br>
> What do you consider a priority right now? Do you consider bringing the southbend lathe online, making room or organization a priority? I ask because currently organization is much more difficult (back issues) for me than repairing things. But if that is what people want, I'll find a way.<br>
> <br>
> Bill is stuck working on the wood machine CNC so things involving wiring is held up. <br>
> <br>
> Thanks<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> -- <br>
> Machineshop mailing list<br>
> <a href="mailto:Machineshop@quelab.net" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Machineshop@quelab.net</a><br>
> <a href="http://pepper.quelab.net/mailman/listinfo/machineshop" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">http://pepper.quelab.net/mailman/listinfo/machineshop</a><br>
</blockquote></div>