OK, lets hear what tool projects you people are working on.

I am currently building a hydraulic press (have been forever) and will post pictures when I am done.

I still have to run the power to it, fill it with hydraulic fluid and then it will be time to start on dies.

Well lets see!

I'm just finishing up a two wheel grinder( 2x48/2x72) that I built a few months ago. Its been sitting around with out a motor until last week.
My dad helped me mount a motor on it last week. its 3Hp 220V, Its Variable speed ( variable pulley).

It is purpose built for Flat grinding and I built everything on it from scratch (except the bearings :) )
as soon as i wire it up it will be my main grinder.

I'm hoping to get Pics When its done.

my only other project that is planned soon will be to build a sand blasting cabinet.

Regards
Eric

BTW Welcome as moderator to the Tool Time forum!!

Thanks, Eric.

Looking forward to seeing those pictures. All grinder projects recieve a lot of interest here so the more info we can get out about building them the better. Did you make the wheels yourself? When you get it wired, let us know how it works.

This is not as exciting as a grinder however ...whattaya think?

This is a fixture for making standoff type folder spacers and pivot. The idea is that you drop your standoff/spacer material into the counterbored holes and bolt it in place from the back. Then file the standoff flush to the face of the fixture. If you want to build folders and don't have a way to precisely grind spacer material to thickness, something like this may be an option.
http://a1060.g.akamai.net/f/1060/5672/30m/www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid26/pb3b6a9bc51da7c7c18a5666b76ea3ab6/fe40b42b.jpg

There is an 1/8" thru hole drilled every 1/2" or so, then counterbored (CB) to a precise depth. If you figure the depths out correctly, you can make a full set of hardware at one time. If you are using 3/16" pins then you need to make the CB 3/16". I blew it here where I made the CB way too big! The next fixture that I make will have a snug fit between the CB and the pins.

Credit goes where it is deserved. This is not my original idea...Michael Cooper approached me with the concept and needed help to machine the CB to accurate depths.

Simple and clever..ehh?

Rob Frink
Beaumont Metal Works (http://www.geocities.com/beaumontmetal/)

I have a rool press in my head that is gonna have to come out soon.
I need a new toy. :)

It seems like I always have some sort of tool project going on. Rob Frink is helping me modify a Grizzly to complete with the big boys, so to speak. Sadly, this project has been ongoing for about 8 months while I was allocating parts, but it is near completion. Another ongoing project is my double port propane forge. The shell is complete, I just need to find a couple of blowers and do the plumbing. Next up is probably a press or rolling mill.

Brett

Rob,

Is that something you will be offering for sale or just special orders? Looks like a good idea.

Brett,

I know about things taking a long time while getting the parts. Keep us posted on the progress.

I should be finishing up on my new sword-length salt tanks in the next month or so... depending on the cash-flow charts, of course...

So far I have almost everything done... got the pots, found some suitable stainless pipe for the high-temp tank and got the fuel lines all set up. All I need is the temp controller ( at $500.00 for the big one to do both tanks or $250.00 apiece... alas, the cheaper ones I found didn't work my 12VDC solenoids...)

I am wondering if my venturi burners will get hot enough to heat these tanks as I can only go to 5 psi... so may have to up the high temp pot to a forced air... we'll see.

Can't wait to have these new toys though...

Pics on my site under 'Studio,' section although they aren't great shots yet...

Jon,

Why are you limited to 5psi? What type of regulator are you using? My venturi burners get real hot but I can go way up on the pressure.

Bob,

No, I really don't have any intentions for making and selling these fixtures. It was just a stress-break project and I was happy to give it away. I'll make a better one in a few days...anyhow.

Bob,

My studio is in the basement of a residence... by law in Vermont inside pressures are limited to 5 psi. ( What's the difference...? I blow up my shop; I blow up my house... either way I'm screwed...) Luckily, 5 psi is more than enough for forced air burners, but I was concerned that I'd be wasting more gas by forcing cold air into the tank when the solenoid shuts gas off... thus simply turning it right back on to get back up to temp. I put a venturi on the tank with the thought that it was cheaper than building a forced air burner and I could easily upgrade to one if necessary...

Haven't had a chance to try 'em out yet.

So you got caught up in the "We at the office down town know what is best for you," trap huh.

So far I have had no interest from the "Offices" on what I am doing out here in the boonies. When I built my shop, I called the county office and asked where I need to get a building permit, the lady said, "build whatever you want." If you want "US" to inspect it we will, but charge $25. I decided to take the chance and not get it inspected.

I live far enough out of town that people burn their trash instead of having a truck come by and get it evey week. The only probelem with "Doing whatever you want" is that you have to tolerate the others in the area that do things that you don't necessarily like. Luckily my neighbors built a fence to hide the many cars they fix up and sell.

Good luck with your burners and keep us posted.

One of my latest homemade tools is a small mini forge, which is described in the newbies arena under the heat treat question, and it has been likehaving a third hand for me. You just can`t beat it!! Up next is a re-do of my grizzly grinder like the one described. Super cool!!

Bob, I have access to some hydraulic cylinders if interested... carl.......combs6136@yahoo.com

well.....the latest was an addition to my grinder...I have a fixed workrest so no options on angle..I took a piece of iron the same size as the workrest and 1/8" thick.....drill and tapped for a screw in two cornes...now I have an adjustable workrest for folderlock grinding..(I needed a 8 degrees lift so I was not much needed....)