Looking for a project

[Randolph]

Good morning, all. I know as well as anybody that the problem with asking for suggestions is that you will receive suggestions! Then your problem becomes one of soothing the hurt feelings of all those who made well-intended suggestions which were not taken. But, that aside, I am still looking for a suggestion. I will try to make this long story as short as I can.

I am planning to be at Cabin Fever in January to introduce a new book. My son, who lives in Oregon, and his step-son, who lives in Bremerton, Washington, plan to meet me (I live in North Carolina) in Lebanon, PA to assist with the sales booth I plan to have at Cabin Fever. Following the show they will both come to visit me in Franklin, NC for a couple of days.

My step-grandson is a journeyman machinist at the Bremerton Naval shipyard. He has suggested that the three of us, during the three days we will have together in my shop after the show, make a project. It would be nice if it were to be something which can be completed in the available three days but that may stretch things a bit so a project which could be begun in that time and then each of us take assignments home for completion can also be considered.

I have eliminated from my thinking the multi-cylinder steam or gasoline engines which would require weeks or months of work. Similarly, making simple, 20-minute projects is not considered. Ideally, a project will involve each of us three participants making some component simultaneously and then assembling the finished work. It would also be good to have three finished examples in hand when the project is complete so that each of us may have something to take home.

Machinery available in my shop includes a Lagun vertical milling machine with all accessories; indexing, rotary table, vertical slotter, etc.; Hardinge HLV-H lathe, both MIG and TIG welding as well as a good gas stove for January weather.

So I ask this forum the question; what do you suggest that we adopt as a project?

And I also wish all on this forum a Merry Christmas!

[hoof]

Let me start by assuring you my feelings will not be hurt. It's a project I took on quite a while ago when I was dismantling a machine that had a 1.25 Inch diameter compression spring by about 6 feet long. The machines was for making lace. They seemed to be built around the turn of the century. Well long story short. Those springs called for me to make a pogo stick. One that could just about jump over a car. It was not the best build I ever did. I was in my mid twenties and just starting this hobby. It was a lot of fun. Right up till the orthapedic surgeon had to get involved. I still think there's a market for these. But I'm afraid of them. Just sharing a tought


Hoof

[RichR]

How about a power hacksaw. Here are a couple of links to the one I picked up last year:

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/64937-Picked-up-a-baby-power-hacksaw

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/68530-Modifying-my-small-power-hacksaw

The design is dead simple and there are plenty of pictures in those two threads. Overall length is about 20" and it takes a 10" blade,
though you might want to consider modifying it for a 12" blade.

[EddyCurr]

A thought that comes to mind is for a seasonally appropriate
object, a nut cracker.

The one I have in mind is similar in appearance to a machinist's
screw jack. There is a conical base and a threaded screw/jack
with a pad on top. The sides of the pad could be knurled and
for bonus points, the top of the pad could be detailed with a
diamond checker pattern.

The way this machinist`s screw jack serves as a nut cracker is
that there is a suitably sized hole into the tapered side of the
base which forms a pocket for whole nuts to be inserted into.
(Conjure up an image of the hole in the taper of a chatter-free
counter sink.) Then with a nut in place, the screw is turned
down into the tapered base, cracking the shell of the nut.

Choose materials/finishes appropriate for use with food over
the long term. Detail as time permits.

Edit: Sorry. Failed to register the part about the grandson
being a journeyman naval machinist - a novelty nut cracker
is setting the bar a bit low. Besides, with the preponderance
of nut allergies these days ...

.

[A.K. Boomer]

Let me start by assuring you my feelings will not be hurt. It's a project I took on quite a while ago when I was dismantling a machine that had a 1.25 Inch diameter compression spring by about 6 feet long. The machines was for making lace. They seemed to be built around the turn of the century. Well long story short. Those springs called for me to make a pogo stick. One that could just about jump over a car. It was not the best build I ever did. I was in my mid twenties and just starting this hobby. It was a lot of fun. Right up till the orthapedic surgeon had to get involved. I still think there's a market for these. But I'm afraid of them. Just sharing a tought


Hoof

Hoof do tell more, what do you think of making it an air spring and adding a little diesel injector with intake and exhaust porting???

[J Tiers]

Is there a piece of tooling that you all can use? if so, make three!

All get together on an item that is a gift to a common relative? Can't suggest anything, as I don't know the people.....

[CarlByrns]

Hoof do tell more, what do you think of making it an air spring and adding a little diesel injector with intake and exhaust porting???

You're 30 years too late: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lutv8c2Kd6Y

I almost bought one once. Should have, they go for good money.

[radkins]

How about a round tuit, we all need one of those!

[flylo]

Come one over you can have the project of sorting all this tooling. Stacks & stacks of it No charge either

[rklopp]

How about a compression-ignition model airplane engine? Those are nice because the parts count is small but the end result is satisfying. I recommend a Mills 1.3, Boll Aero, Little Dragon, or PMC Imp (ugly however). You can google for plans. Three competent machinists should be able to knock out three engines in three days making parts production-style.

Check Ron Chernich's modelenginenews.org, strictlyIC.com, or modelenginebuilder.com.

[hoof]

Hoof do tell more, what do you think of making it an air spring and adding a little diesel injector with intake and exhaust porting???

I think if I try another stunt like that I'll be single. Recovery was in the 7 to 8 week range. BUT... I can still think all I want about being childish. She's hoping my chronological age and clinical become the same number. I'm thinking that would be ashame.

Hoof

[PStechPaul]

Upon first reading I thought you were going to make these projects during the 3-day show, but it would be hard to set up your machine shop there.

It would be cool if you could make these items before the show, and also make a video of the effort, and then have it to display at the show. You might even be able to put the video on some CDs or DVDs along with some material from your book and have them available as give-aways or for sale. Actually, it might be better to get some cheap thumb drives and load the videos and other stuff on that. You can get 8GB sticks for less than $4:

http://www.banggood.com/Bestrunner-8GB-USB-2_0-Flash-Memory-Stick-Pen-Drive-U-Disk-Storage-Thumb-p-977078.html

and 4GB for about $3 in quantity:

http://www.banggood.com/4GB-USB2_0-Waterproof-Metal-Key-Flash-Drive-Storage-Memory-Stick-Pen-U-Disk-p-986076.html

I'm not sure what sort of project would be good to make, but I think miniature working machine tools would be interesting, although perhaps too complex for a 3-day project. Perhaps a miniature hydraulic press or drop-hammer for a nut-cracker?

Something like this would be cool:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hopkins-Fly-Press-Screw-Knife-Making-Manual-Punch-Flypress-Large-Power-Hammer/221778454092

Or this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/V-O-20-Ton-Flywheel-Press-/201487820807?hash=item2ee99c2807:g:jBwAAOSwrklU6BbD

Or:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Famco-50-5-Ton-Punch-Press-On-Factory-Stand-Flywheel-Style-Ironworker-Fabricator-/272071301812

[The Artful Bodger]

How about something small, handy and somewhat novel? For example I have seen a design for a nifty device for wire tying in lieu of a hose clamp? Maybe make three of these in different sizes, pocket size for mending the garden hose, something bigger for the motorist or trucker and maybe a giant size one for banding crates, all identical in design. Google Clamp Tite

In the same vein what about a handy 'multi tool' device where each person involved makes the individual tool to be fitted to a common handle.

[fixerup]

Yes, the bail wire tying tool is one i've been contemplating making and the fire piston.
No matter what you make it will be great memories for all three of you!
Good idea to spend time together!
Cheers!
Phil

[v860rich]

How about a screwless precision machinist vice?

THANX RICH