What did you do today?

[danlb]

We finished up our 2020 taxes this month. Our tax man had automatically filed for an extension.

While reviewing the papers today I learned that our income tax bracket was 0% for the first time. Social Security is our main income stream and it's not taxable unless you have other income. Then the gov adds a $27,500 standard deduction for married seniors. That let us withdraw as needed from a 401K/IRA.

I mention it since it's the most exciting thing that happened this month. Along with that is the realization that I don't have to worry about paying more taxes if I want to use some 401K money for a new mill. There's the machining content.

Dan

[Cenedd]

I ordered a blade for my 4 inch side arm grinder that has a chainsaw chain around it, maybe that will help.

I think they also do discs in that size that have sharp slots for carving and hollowing wood - sort of like a glorified cheese grater. Also seen one that's more like a studded convex wheel that does a similar thing....just in case they're of help. The first one is by Arbortech I believe.

[Mike Burch]

Today I mowed the lawn without caring about which way the stripes went. I made ever-smaller concentric squares. I think this manner uses the least amount of energy and time, both mine and the lawnmowers.

Actually, the shape that encloses the maximum area for the minimum circumference is the circle.

I used my zero-turn ride-on to cut my weirdly-shaped bits of grass today, and where possible knocked the corners off the squares/rectangles/triangles etc., before completing each patch by going round in ever-diminishing spirals. There are no corners to slow down for, and once the circle is established the steering is just a matter of slowly tightening the turn as you spiral in.

It's surprisingly quick, and the resulting stripes are a real talking point!

[Dan Dubeau]

I got about 5 hours of uninterrupted "shop time" yesterday. I didn't get to make anything new, it was more cleanup and organizing, and finishing a couple little projects. But I got a lot of stuff done that's been bugging me for months. One major project left is to tear down some built in cupboards over my mill, so I can make room for a propane unit heater for the winter.

I also got some cad time in to finish designing my catch all mobile stock rack. I figured out enough of the details to start building it, so I should get started on that in the next couple days/weeks. I want it, and the heater done before the snow flies.

I'm loving this nice weather because I can squeeze a few more rounds of golf in, but it wouldn't hurt my feelings if it got cold enough that I could put the sticks away for another year, and got to working in the shop. I shot my best round so far (82) on Friday, so I might just quit on a high note for the year.

[Legamin]

One of my Semi Trailer Brake Hubs decided to lock after sitting for a few years…first time.. I figure if I can break the rust and pull the hub I can turn it and clean it up and slide some new shoes in…but the shoes are like new! Should I just soak them in evaporust and then hot detergent and brake cleaner rinse and reuse or should I flip for a new set?

[Tim Clarke]

Ya, some lining has metal particles. Back off the slack adjuster, and see if the shock treatment works. I’ve never tried evaporust on brakes, let us know what happens.

[The Metal Butcher]

I just got all three of my economic impact payments and my first tax return. I see more machinery in my future.

[Dan Dubeau]

Taking a break from finishing the bottle rack on my welding cart. almost done. Might get to the cord/whip/torch hanger tonight too. Installed the spoolgun harness in my mig last night too. I don't have any aluminum welding on the list, but it was an easy job on my list i've been forgetting/putting off for a while.

I'm trying to get better organized and writing down a bunch of 10-20 minute jobs out there that need done (and other longer ones), so that when I get 20-30 minutes during the week I can just go out, look at the list and pick something that fits the time I have and get something done. Instead of what I normally do which is wandering around aimlessly trying to remember what needs done, not wanting to start or finish a big project, and not really getting anything done. So far so good, but I'm still writing down more stuff than I'm crossing out lol.

Might pull down some overhead cabinets tonight/tomorrow in anticipation of my shop heater arriving next week. A job I'm dreading, but I'm really looking forward to warm fingers and a usable shop this winter .

[Dan Krager]

Today I made progress long threading more skinny hand screw rods 18" long making passes with an adjustable die while the rod was spun slowly, maybe 100 rpm, by a variable speed machine. It took about 75 seconds per pass to cut 7" of 3/8"-16 RH threads. Three passes are required. Used tap magic and the die got noticeably warm but not untouchable. It's just big box junk steel, but it will do the job. I have a thread on here where I posted the learning process of how to do this. The next step will be to finish all the rods all passes at RH end and then set up for 9 1/2" of LH threads on the other end. By doing the RH threads first, I can hold the rod in the machine using a coupling nut locked to the rod with another nut. This won't damage the RH treads.
DanK

[Captain K]

Legamin. Release the brakes, with wheels blocked. Crawl underneath and hit the edge of the drum with a 3-4lb short handled sledgehammer. When the drum rings they’re loose. The brakes will let go almost every time. Then drive it, the rust will be gone in a couple miles

[Cenedd]

I just got all three of my economic impact payments and my first tax return. I see more machinery in my future.

I see a man with no wife yet.....otherwise he'd be seeing more cushions in his future....and vases you can't put flowers in!

[Dan Dubeau]

A couple months ago i had to clean up some junk wiring in the basement, and lost the plug that went to my beer fridge in the garage. Today I ran a new circuit over, and hooked it back up. Now I can also run my small electric foundry off that circuit too without chancing the lights going out.

[Tungsten dipper]

A couple months ago i had to clean up some junk wiring in the basement, and lost the plug that went to my beer fridge in the garage. Today I ran a new circuit over, and hooked it back up. Now I can also run my small electric foundry off that circuit too without chancing the lights going out.

BEER IS important.

[reggie_obe]

I just got all three of my economic impact payments and my first tax return. I see more machinery in my future.

In one of Keith Rucker's recent videos he visited a friend just across the Florida border who was clearing out a number of machines. Said to be a little above scrap, just to get them into somebody's shop.

[The Metal Butcher]

charitable

In one of Keith Rucker's recent videos he visited a friend just across the Florida border who was clearing out a number of machines. Said to be a little above scrap, just to get them into somebody's shop.

Yeah I need to check that out. However, knowing those youtubers, they get a lot of gifts but don't tend to be too charitable when selling machines.

---

Today was mostly welding, a bit of grinding and gouging. I bought some 7014 that I am having much better luck with than 7018. Even got some beads where the slag could be flicked off. I'll get there. Stuck with MIG for the mission critical stuff, I can lay down a nice hot bead with that.