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Got the tup off the mill this morning and took off the mandrels. Miking it showed pretty good results. Took it to Young Mike, but he didn't keep his appointment. His Grandpa served as liason. He called later. After lunch he was there and we talked about what needed to be done. Maybe tomorrow or Friday.
Searched my cabinets for the tig torch that came with the Trailblazer. Just remembered it. Found it and the relevant literature. I can't afford the >$7000 needed for my dream machine. But I can use my trailblazer to get tig at higher amps than my econotig. My root pass tig welding needs more amps,ditto on the ball connector. I may also get a water cooled torch. I already have a couple of used water coolers, one aimed at Grant's induction heater coming when I finish his hammer. The root pass by tig definitely beats stick and mig by guaranteeing complete fusion (mig is too weak) and avoiding slag (with stick welding).
Got the mill set up again with the fence, tore apart the hammer to get at the anvil-to-tower bolts, and got the anvil mounted. Deadly humidity with the heat and I was drenched. So at the mill cutting the 4" wide dove tail slot you can be sure I had the fam aimed in the right direction. When I quit the sun was really coming inside the big doors and my fan was just circulating hot air.
Earlier, made an 1/8" thick steel plate runway for the steel casters on my leg supported jib crane. The poor quality concrete was getting a groove and making it tough to roll the beast when loaded. Just tacked some 40" pieces together with angleded ends for now. I can already see the need for more width. But it sure works. Looks like gravity will hold it in place without any lag bolts into the floor. I successfully tested it with the anvil hanging from the hoist after lunch.
Got an inquiry call from a guy who wanted a buncha questions answered. I asked if he'd seen the web site. "Yes, I just opened it up and gave you a call." Yak, yak, yak. I know the web site ain't perfect and was courteous, but wondered if he could read. He did most of the talking. He was disappointed about the length of my back log, cuz he's in a hurry, but can't make it to the shop to try out the machines cuz he's going on a 3 week vacation. Also his new shop hasn't been started yet. :-) Got another call Monday (voice mail) from a guy who wanted a call back but didn't give me his number. He wanted to know how the 50 hit relative to a 2 or 3 pound hammer. What? :-))) And so it goes. Both guys may be my next down payment checks, so I don't let my premonitions gain control. I am reminded that my friend, coauthor, and former college colleague, Tony, told me to just key in on information in a conversation and filter out the noise. Darn good advice then and now.
Searched my cabinets for the tig torch that came with the Trailblazer. Just remembered it. Found it and the relevant literature. I can't afford the >$7000 needed for my dream machine. But I can use my trailblazer to get tig at higher amps than my econotig. My root pass tig welding needs more amps,ditto on the ball connector. I may also get a water cooled torch. I already have a couple of used water coolers, one aimed at Grant's induction heater coming when I finish his hammer. The root pass by tig definitely beats stick and mig by guaranteeing complete fusion (mig is too weak) and avoiding slag (with stick welding).
Got the mill set up again with the fence, tore apart the hammer to get at the anvil-to-tower bolts, and got the anvil mounted. Deadly humidity with the heat and I was drenched. So at the mill cutting the 4" wide dove tail slot you can be sure I had the fam aimed in the right direction. When I quit the sun was really coming inside the big doors and my fan was just circulating hot air.
Earlier, made an 1/8" thick steel plate runway for the steel casters on my leg supported jib crane. The poor quality concrete was getting a groove and making it tough to roll the beast when loaded. Just tacked some 40" pieces together with angleded ends for now. I can already see the need for more width. But it sure works. Looks like gravity will hold it in place without any lag bolts into the floor. I successfully tested it with the anvil hanging from the hoist after lunch.
Got an inquiry call from a guy who wanted a buncha questions answered. I asked if he'd seen the web site. "Yes, I just opened it up and gave you a call." Yak, yak, yak. I know the web site ain't perfect and was courteous, but wondered if he could read. He did most of the talking. He was disappointed about the length of my back log, cuz he's in a hurry, but can't make it to the shop to try out the machines cuz he's going on a 3 week vacation. Also his new shop hasn't been started yet. :-) Got another call Monday (voice mail) from a guy who wanted a call back but didn't give me his number. He wanted to know how the 50 hit relative to a 2 or 3 pound hammer. What? :-))) And so it goes. Both guys may be my next down payment checks, so I don't let my premonitions gain control. I am reminded that my friend, coauthor, and former college colleague, Tony, told me to just key in on information in a conversation and filter out the noise. Darn good advice then and now.
