quote: is it true that many shops are closing in Canada? If auctions are an indication I would say so....same with northeast of U.S.

2 months?? seems couple of weeks ago, back in the saddle

This probably isn't the answer..but have you tried some "cobalt high speed drills and endmills" (new ones!! that have never touched metal)sometimes carbide just is not sharp enough for ampco 21, and that "mold steel" that you don't need to vent because air can escape thru it, don't remember its name...twice large shops have given me hot jobs and furnished carbide because wierd steels are soooo tough and I used cobalt high speed cause it pops right thru it, but its got to be BRAND new.. (they look at me in bewilderment when I return their carbide unused and tell them it cuts pretty decent)

Randy, not sure exactly how you drew that; but have you clicked on bigger arc center to diminsion and see if they come up 0,0 and not off a couple a tenths.... Not quite the same, but I use gage dwgs. supplied by my customer and then alter them to make a similar gage for a different size part and I noticed you want to have "angular degree callout" to read to atleast 4 places before rotating new geometry or you can stack up error; I have plain decimals set to 5 places. [ 10-12-2007, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Kevangel ]

Like your new address and I can believe you are climbin the walls some Hope ya got cable..(I don't, cause I live in country surrounded by a woods...)

After stoning real bad spots, have you tried putting lapping coumpound on an old tool holder? coarse then fine, etc. I recently got an advertisement in the mail from a company (CAT spindle grind service)www.catspindlegrinding.com letter sez $450 for 50 taper plus .75cents per mile and discount for multipal tapers.

Years ago I made a special machine that had quite a bit of that and its really free cutting kinda like its "cast stainless steel"...hope my memory is correct, its nothing like 300 stainless (nasty) or other 400 series steels i.e.420 SS.....there used to be machinibility tables in Jorgenson steel book.

Does this have to do with optical flat gages that you can buy to check flatness? Never used one but saw one in a catalog, I think

Hardmill

Cannonball, we are always wondering about you and glad for the updates and your doin better. I have knick named you "Cannonball", never could call anyone by their actual name same initials, CM

Could this be from spindle taper being slightly cocked so that different length tools move your centerline ever so slightly, maybe try picking up part with cutter at same length as indicator ball? I have the same .0005 problem in my Moore jig-bore except its the Y axis. My spindle is dead square to the table etc, and the only thing I can think of, is the above:headscratch:

quote: [tough to go from big strong guy who's running sh!t to broken down old geezer who can't put his own socks on] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ya Chris, you really aren't an old geezer until you start pulling your shirt "up" and your pants "down" to start showing everyone your scars...you aren't doin that are you? (when I was young, all the old toolmakers that had open heart surgery would do that, some things you just don't wanna see)

You'll bounce back Chris, everybody feels "like an old geezer" when they go through what you are goin thru. Better days ahead and sounds like you are a quick healer

Chris, any projections on when you may feel fairly normal?

Chris, glad your up and about, ditto on the full coverage face helmet for me also(cept I was young and totally screwin around and got slammed down face first on U.S. 40 and chewed the face of helmet but good, gotta a broken wrist only)...I will still refrain from any "bed-pan" jokes

can you blast it on both sides? know that ball peening a warped part in specific areas is one "hacker" way of straightening it.

Brian, there is a Double columm Johnsford coming up for auction on sept.6th at Dem-Cav Tool and Mould, windsor, ontario. "think" its a 2004 18K spindle. auctioneer is Corporate Assets Inc. brochure at their site. (shop looks really clean what a shame)

quote: company that sold milltronics as an entry level line they are pretty light duty and support can be an issue. Milltronics has really changed in the last 10 years, all cast iron construction, lots of improvements and service is excellent in Dayton area but our dealer is or was their biggest dealer, I think...dealer can make a big difference in your area. I have talked to the factory several times on questions to do some simple things myself and factory was very helpful. Just my experiance. My landlord bought 4 new Milltronics VMCs last year in one pop, has 3 others, they have their place. A lot of their product is sold, as made in the USA, so I pull for them. (Minnesota) Good Luck on your decision.

I would take a good look at the Milltronics, and look into the rollar ways option, supposed to be way stiffer, (think some Tree VMCs had that) not the linear ones (think on 50 taper its standard)..little extra money, But I would check out for a new one as I cut my share of 420FSS...they are one company that is gettin better instead of stayin the same or worse. You can also get fanuc on them for $$$, I think.

Yes, even more prayers Chris, I wondered being a fellow biker if thats what had happened, and was hoping for lessor injuries...hang tough Bro.

Wow Chris, prayin for a speedy recovery..

quote: i can see this link. Me also and have unchecked passive FTP per instructions, have DSL and IE7...I am not a computer expert like lots of folks here.)wuz thinkin I will be only one that can not and years ago could get on with other computer and dial up)

Too much of the extra, extra, extra, parts and material can make people more careless...I am not saying it is always a bad thing or maybe it is...I worked at one shop where you were allowed very little extra anything and it got me thinking as I use to always do the extra 10 percent thing.

quote: My wife considers me a GEEK as I have 5 PC's in my office at home and another on the way -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am catchin up ya, with 3 here and wanting a Dell notebook, have come a long way but have a long way to go...looked at a used 3 axis mill today hmmmmmmm that or another motorcycle or debt reduction

Froze some rubber stoppers once to machine....maybe even freeze the leather piece in a tray of water (slightly submurged) Todd, did you use work in a shop before "goin Mastercam" ?? I often wonder about the backgrounds of you tek folks, know your buddy thats in Europe with Mold Plus had computer engineering? degree. Abbu? He did my installation and I was probably as computer illiterate as they come probably why he left for Europe shortly thereafter