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Post by brotherbanzai on Aug 26, 2016 15:11:34 GMT
Hey LDriggers, It's been working really well. I was pretty bummed about the gouging, but I've been keeping it well greased and haven't had any further issues. I made a bunch of new dies for it, shown below. Here are the raw materials - And all cut to size along with two sets of dies left over from my old minipress - And all welded together - I want to be able to cut off the parts as they wear and weld new parts on the base plates, so they are all only tack welded. Also made one spare set of plates in case I suddenly realize I need some other die, I can put one together quickly. It's aslo an absolute necessity to extend the treadle if you want to make anything other than very short blades. Here is how it comes. The spring on the treadle is pretty stiff and I have to be right up on top of the machine to get enough weight on it to work. Right next to the hot metal, and once you get any length on a piece, it isn't possible to stand that close while still holding the cool end. One of the first things I did after using it for a bit was to extend that out. Conveniently, the extra length and weight now work perfectly with the spring that's already on there. Also, the extra height I got from leaving the press up on 2x4s if the perfect height for the extended treadle to stop right on the floor when fully depressed. I didn't plan any of that, just how it worked out. Thanks Brendan, It's great to have everything finally all set and up and running. Thinking about building a new heat treat kiln though, mine has been taking longer and longer to heat up. I don't think it did well on the journey up here. Yeah, that was really annoying to have my new $4k press all mangled up right from the get-go. Unfortunately, I spent my entire dirt bike fund, along with my "sell the trucklet and buy a used jeep" fund on my new high speed belt grinder. Pictured below. Grinds through metal like you wouldn't believe. Should probably start grinding outside though, using it in the shop has been making me light headed.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Aug 26, 2016 21:44:19 GMT
:D Nice grinder though I would imagine belt change is a bit of a hassle? Someone needs to lift that rear wheel to get the belt on, right?
Shame about the press but it seems you got the problem fixed. Everything looking VERY good in your shop for sure. I can only imagine how much fun it must be to work there.
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Post by brotherbanzai on Aug 27, 2016 13:35:19 GMT
Hey Chenessfan, Nah, you can just put the rear up on a stand like this... And belts are a breeze to change with the single sided swingarm. My old grinder runs at a constant 1725 rpm, while this new one is infinitely variable all the way up to 10,000 rpm. The real issue is that the direction of spin is opposite what it should be (clockwise when viewed from the right side), so it throws a shower of sparks in your face when grinding. And running it wide open will melt through a face shield in a matter of seconds. Consequently, I can grind out an entire sword blade in about 5 or 6 minutes, but I go through half a dozen face shields doing so. Thanks, it is great to work here. Feel free to come by if you're ever on this side of the pond. We're only about half an hour from the Atlanta international airport :)
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Aug 30, 2016 8:47:07 GMT
Ah, yes, single sided swingarm of course. :-) Nice score bro. I hope you get plenty of opportunities to get out on it. Never mind the dirt bike fund. And probably for the best not to trade the McFly Mobile on a... *shudder* Jeep... ever
Can you get away with just new elements on the kiln - maybe get some custom wound so they make the most of the power supply available? Maybe a new solid state relay? Though the lack of insulation under the shell is probably holding it back too. :-D
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Aug 30, 2016 15:31:36 GMT
Hey Chenessfan, Nah, you can just put the rear up on a stand like this... And belts are a breeze to change with the single sided swingarm. My old grinder runs at a constant 1725 rpm, while this new one is infinitely variable all the way up to 10,000 rpm. The real issue is that the direction of spin is opposite what it should be (clockwise when viewed from the right side), so it throws a shower of sparks in your face when grinding. And running it wide open will melt through a face shield in a matter of seconds. Consequently, I can grind out an entire sword blade in about 5 or 6 minutes, but I go through half a dozen face shields doing so. Thanks, it is great to work here. Feel free to come by if you're ever on this side of the pond. We're only about half an hour from the Atlanta international airport :) I would imagine the difficult part is switching face shields in time before the grinder starts melting your face off... But you know, nobody ever said sword making was easy. I really appreciate the offer and will keep it in mind :) I've been to the Atlanta airport btw, it's just so friggin' HUGE.
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Post by brotherbanzai on Aug 30, 2016 23:07:42 GMT
Hey Brendan, thanks, I haven't actually ridden it since I brought it home a few days ago. I'm super paranoid about slipping on the gravel road I have to traverse before I reach the pavement so I am in the process of installing frame and engine sliders. Hate how it looks with them (like I have training wheels on it or something), but I'll hate it even more if I scratch it all up on my first trip out of the driveway. I haven't dropped a bike by myself in probably 25 years or so, but then I haven't owned a new one in 30, so, pretty cautious. I do keep finding uses for the McFly mobile (bringing home the new bike for instance), but the lack of power from the little four cylinder is annoying. Plus, always wanted a wrangler. Even though they are way overpriced for what they are. But I miss having a bike way more than I want a different truck/car, so it's all good. New elements may help, but it was always pretty slow to heat up. I calculated out the exact type I needed back when I built it, so I should be getting the most out them that's possible. I think the real issue is not having the extra insulation mod that you did to my original plans. That was a good idea. Hey chenessfan, don't be silly, you just stack them up and wear all the face shields at once. As soon as the first one starts to melt, quickly flip it off, exposing the next one on the stack. Easy ;) Yeah, the ATL airport is gigantic, I hate going there. Some shots of the new grinder before installing the sliders -
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Aug 31, 2016 3:07:32 GMT
Oh wow you bought it new? Very slick bro. Any chance of getting K on that pillion pad?
Gravel shouldn't cause you drama. Just keep your centre of gravity, careful throttle application and finger on the clutch - opt for rear brake over front til you get the feel of the front end sliding. You'll be drifting round before you know it. ;-P This is why you need your dirtbike fund haha
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Post by brotherbanzai on Sept 1, 2016 14:17:00 GMT
It was a leftover 2015 model, so new but not current. The Speed Triples didn't sell that well in the states so it's not too hard to find last years model still sitting around. They made a bunch of changes in 2016 (2012 - 2015 look the same) so I was able to haggle $1800 off the list price.
I wasn't planning on getting a new one, which is why so much of my budget for other things got blown. I was going to look at two used 2012 models being sold by private owners for several thousand less than the new ones. First one sold later the day that I called him. Second one sold while I was on the way to see it.
They had a used one at a local dealer for a couple thousand more, so I went to look at that. It seemed too big when I sat on it so the salesman offered to let me test ride the smaller Street Triple (675cc). I liked it a lot but it would have been a bit small for K and I together. After a few days I thought I should probably go back and at least ride the bigger Speed Triple (1050cc). The used one had a dead battery so he had me ride this red one instead. Loved it. I arranged to get the used one pending further inspection and test ride once the battery was charged.
Then discovered that it had been dropped (hadn't noticed the damage when it was parked in the store between two other bikes. So I decided, screw it, I'm just going to get the new one that I had already ridden. Kristin will definitely be on the back now and again, that's the whole reason I got this one over the Street Triple, well that and the super slick single sided swingarm.
That's a good thought, shouldn't be a big deal to switch to the rear break as the primary while on the gravel. If I can get used to the gravel after a few months, I'll probably take the ugly sliders back off it. Ha, I bet a scrambler would have been ideal!
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Sept 6, 2016 6:15:12 GMT
Very cool. Well that should last you forever now if you look after it. :-) How is it at freeway speeds? A little windy behond that small screen?
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Post by brotherbanzai on Sept 15, 2016 14:05:58 GMT
Hey Brendan, yeah hopefully this one is a keeper. Usually I feel the need to change a bunch of stuff on a bike to get it where I like it, but this one is pretty close to perfect as is. I did gut the stock mufflers and repack them with perforated stainless tubing and fiberglass exhaust packing to get them to a deeper tone.Usually I heve to at least re-gear every bike I get as they are always geared too tall, but this one is already just right.
I don't generally ride on the freeway but I haven't noticed any undue wind at least up to 60mph on the country roads. I always wear a full face helmet and glasses when riding and so far haven't felt the need to even drop the visor, so maybe that little screen is doing something.
Still getting used to the gravel but feeling more comfortable with it. On thing that is totally new to me is hills. I've never riden a bike where there are hills before. Nifty.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Sept 22, 2016 1:23:02 GMT
Still getting used to the gravel but feeling more comfortable with it. On thing that is totally new to me is hills. I've never riden a bike where there are hills before. Nifty. Haha, yes, hills are the best, not just going up and down them but round and round the twisties ;-P
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Post by brotherbanzai on Nov 21, 2016 14:15:37 GMT
Picked up another new piece of shop equipment :D Had to lay it on its side in the back of my little truck to get it home and back off again, which caused some of the gear oil to leak out and made a bit of a mess on the machine. But no big issue. Here it is all set up. Metal and wood band saw made by Wilton(now under the Jet brand) with added rip fence. This is mostly replacing the little green chop saw off to the side in the first picture above. This has been long overdue but has been put off due to the relatively low cost vs benefit ratio. It's surprising how few low cost metal cutting, upright band saws there are to choose from. This one has gotten a lot of good reviews and the only other reasonable option would have been an old Delta, which may be hard to find parts for and cost just as much when you can find one around here.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Nov 21, 2016 15:27:46 GMT
That is a nice machine, 14in. I want one but the mill/drill, power hammer and forge press will come first.
Have the Jet version of the chop off saw in your picture. It does a good job upright or has a chop off saw. Love to be able to cut off a piece of steel walk away let it cut then it shuts it's self off.
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Post by brotherbanzai on Dec 11, 2016 16:18:10 GMT
Thanks L Driggers, I like having the large flat table to work on when making a cut. I changed all the guide bearings on my little chop saw and tried adjusting it every which way, but I've never been able to get it to cut a straight line. I'll keep it around for the exact reason you mention, clamping something in and walking away to do other things while it cuts. But even then I can only use it when the cut doesn't need to be very straight. For instance I can't cut a piece of tubing with it because the cut end comes out at a curved angle. The new saw does a fantastic job with wood, far better than the old one. I was a bit disappointed that it's still pretty slow to cut a piece of steel though. Better than the old saw, but not incredible. I'd like a mill too, but don't think I would use one enough to justify the cost or space.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Dec 11, 2016 17:08:55 GMT
Know what you mean about the cuts on tubing, just use the cut off saw for those. Ever seen a bandsaw that will cut steel real fast. I was surprised actually on how fast my does, do have a hard time keeping a straight line. What blade are you using, if it's too fine toothed it will go real slow. I use a variable tooth 8-12.
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