Categories: Projects and equipment
Word count/read time: 351 words; 1-1/2 minutes
Occasionally I need to contract professionals to make tools or equipment like the
rivet making tool.
I was considering making sections of it to save money but I would have ruined it.
The realization hit while making a jig that rests on top of the tool.
The jig had to perform a function so its appearance
wasn't critical. Whatever was lying around for scrap metal would work.
I drilled and cut the pieces as best as possible. The first one took
more than an hour because I don't have a CNC machine and setting up each
drill hole is time-consuming.
The drill press table was off-kilter just a fraction of a degree and so were the holes.
It doesn't really show up on thin materials but with 1" square tubing back-to-back it was quite
obvious. I retrued the table, tried again, and it wasn't much better. I re-retrued
the table with a better reference and determined that it couldn't get any better.
There was a slight tilt introduced as the clamping mechanism tightened.
I had to compensate as best as possible with shims to minimize the effect.
Trying to maintain the precision of the rivet tool pushed my
off-the-shelf drill press beyond its limits.
Deep down I know that anything precise will not be done on my drill press, table saw, sliding
compound miter saw, or pretty much standard shop equipment of any type.
Many bad holes were drilled elsewhere and will surface forever.
Two of my wooden drawplates, for instance - the holes
are just a little angled. Tubes that are drawn through get a slight curve unless the plate is canted.
Both of them split while drawing silver tubes. Being 1" red oak, I thought they'd stand up.
That's expensive campfire wood.
Wooden drawplates only work for light-duty knitted metalwork: Viking knit chains,
some loop-in-loop chains, kumihimo.
There is definitely going to be some more CNC machinery in my future. The amount of time
and aggravation saved by having a basic tabletop end mill...I'd be a kid in a candy store!
Add a lathe and I'd binge-machine for days.
Posted by M: August 3, 2021
Please email any thoughts or comments regarding this post.
Comment Section
NOTE: Your comments will be included in this section
as long as they aren't illegal. This section is censor-free so show me
your intelligence or ignorance and everything in between!
|
2025
Four Fs of Jewelry
Those Are Nice Dimples
Yes, I Have Some
Good Deals
Transportaion Issues
Spining in Circles
Top Purchases 2024
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
|