hobby
North Texas Hobby Board (or Blog)
I sent emails to the posted contact persons for two (as they identify themselves) North Texas home machinist groups. Neither post that they have a web site, just a contact email. I offered to create a free message system (either a Blog or BBS) for North Texas home machinists to contact each other. I don’t intend to start another organization, just a common communication site, since they do not seem to have one. My involvement would be completely invisible other than top level administrator. The board activities would be controlled by others. In fact any group could have their own space if desired.
No feedback yet so it is as I suspected, probably old contact data or they are waiting for their next “meeting”. In any case, if you are located near Dallas (That includes Oklahoma or elsewhere) and would like to see a localized board for posting about home workshop activities let me know. Does anyone think a bigger “service” area should be included?
What I would like to see is a place where any creative hobby can be posted, metalworking, woodworking, boat building, quilting (huh!), etc.. A place to brag what you do or ask questions on how-to. Also a place to find out about something you need. Say a quilter is looking for someone local who could build a nice wooden storage case. Get the idea?
This Blog is too personal for this and TEDEX works well but is also too associated with my activities. I dislike commercial boards (Yahoo, etc.) as they are heavily marketing directed. Maybe people like the ads and the fact they are tracked.
The truth is the software is free and I have already paid for all the server cost in my other activities. Other than the time… Continue reading
Vectric Software Update
The Vectric Software that I use for 3D carving and engraving design with my CNC machines (and the main reason for HB2) has just published a new creative design program named ASPIRE. It is kind of a blend and update to their previous products with additional creative ability for 3D designs. For a look-see follow this LINK.
Getting Together HB2
Making Progress
The parts are going together for the HB2 assembly. At last is is starting to look like a router machine. I like the yellow but no one else has to agree.
The biggest problem has been the bolt sizing. The shopping list wasn’t exactly correct but close enough. I am using Alan cap screws where possible and some Phillips head. Almost all the nuts are nylon lock type.
The rails are extreamly nice and should prove to be very accurate. More pictures as I get it closer to finish.
10/28 – Update from this mess!
Follow this link: HB2 Section #3
Time to Clamp Down
Low profile CNC vise
Today I spent most of the day laying out, milling and assembling this CNC machine vise/clamp. It is low profile to stay out of the way of machining actions. The rest of the day was spent publishing it in my The Hobbyist’s Machine Shop web page and several other links including here.
Some times making the parts that make the parts is required. This was one of those times.
Columbus Day
Its Columbus Day (the real date) and its been a busy weekend so far the The Hobbyist’s Machine Shop. (My playroom 🙂
I broke two more of the tiny mill bits on the heat sink milling for the HB2 . I am going to have to stop doing that. It is really a “dumb me” problem. The last one was because I did not have the part I was milling suitably (meaning rigidly) attached to the bed of the mill. It came loose whilst milling. Poo!
So now I am taking the time out to build the correct clamping system to hold the heat sink blanks. It is a project I wanted and needed to do anyway, but the lesson is I should have done it first. It’s just a reminder that the set-up is everything.
The clamp can and will be used for holding other projects on the mill so it will be a great addition to the tool box. It will be a larger version of the clamping system I used to make the A3 locomotive wheels. That clamp is just a tiny bit too small so I resorted to a less than satisfactory clamping method. It worked… for awhile. 🙁
The new clamp will take advantage of the machined plate (with all the threaded holes) that I made for the Taig. Then I will not have any clamping gadgets sticking up in the way of milling. Of course I will post some pictures in a about a week when I have got it working.
This weekend I also ordered all the nuts and bolts for assembly of the HB2. I went with stainless for most bolts but had to select “oil black” metric sockets heads to mount the linear rails. (Not available in… Continue reading