Lifting Mildred's Spirits

[Dave Lee]

Very cool job, Rod. YOU, are the "most interesting person in the world." That guy that kayaks out the back of an airplane's got nothin' on you, my friend. Well done.

I know what you mean about the cranking up of those heads. Down isn't quite as bad but up, ugggh. If I used my mill/drill more, I'd consider that modification.

What brand of chili, or do you make your own?


Dave

[platypus20]

Originally Posted by cutter

Yes, they are but they're still better with chili and cheese.



Then I took the slack out of it. Oooops! Don't look now, Jack.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I like chili dogs, not chili cheese dogs............


Now its an official Texas build..............

[cutter]

I have two more videos that illustrate a side purpose to this experiment.
I will post one per reply.

When I crank the head up or down manually, it always swings wildly from side to side in addition to hurting my ribs.
So I as wondering just how much the motorized lift might affect that.
Not hoping, just curious.

1. So I set up an indicator and a 1/8" rod in the spindle.

2. the video, test 1 You can watch it wander around.

Now, this is a huge improvement over hand-cranking; the side torque from that might swing Mildred around one to two inches so this is an improvement but register is register and it definitely still loses it.
No surprise there.

Now I need to walk Wilson to the park and then go work an hour or two.
I'll post the other little experiment tonight.

[cutter]

Originally Posted by digr

As far as the pistol is concerned if I left it laying around like that I would never be able to find it if I did need it

There is a solution for that: when I move it moves with me.

Originally Posted by milomilo

Ya gotta love show and tell, even at my age. Nice build Rod.

You know, I'm not entirely happy with it because the chain wants to catch now & then. That appears to be caused by the slop in the mount; I had to design some slack into those bored out hex bars to be able to maneuver the bolts through them and then it's compounded by the slop in the bolt holes in the head casting.

This allows the motor mount to jerk up slightly - less than 1/8" - when the head goes down and then jerk back down when it reverses. And that means that no matter how I try to take the slack out of the chain, it comes back on one side or the other in operation.
You can see that happening in the videos.
I don't see a practical solution and I don't see a better place to mount the motor.

But it works so I have to be satisfied about that. In fact, I am damned pleased about that.

Originally Posted by SmokinDodge

Rod I don't have a damn thing constructive to say but I am watching intently.



Sent from my ipotato

Well Neal, at least you said something.
Old Man would be ripping on about the "ratio" on this one.

Originally Posted by Ironman

I was wondering about this. I recall the thread when you powered up the crossfeed. I don't know much about those DC motors, except not to plug them in....The current draw must be low, and it is handy not to have to have two power supplies and speed controls.

About 2 or 3 amps, according to the motor plate(s). If you notice, there are 2 conflicting data plates on the motor; one says 1/5hp at 1.97 amps, the other says 1/4hp at 2.9 amps.
The controller is rated at "5 amps max".
I'm using the same model to run Charlie's 1/3hp dc motor.

Originally Posted by dubby

Great write up, and that'll be a lot of help. She'll be going up and down all the time now.

It will be a huge help to me. I dreaded every time I had to change to a drill chuck or boring head or the coaxial indicator.
I tended to bang my ribs against the table.

Originally Posted by Dave Lee

I know what you mean about the cranking up of those heads. Down isn't quite as bad but up, ugggh. If I used my mill/drill more, I'd consider that modification.

I have noticed that most of the things I elect to spend my time on these days are aimed at saving labor or exertion.

Originally Posted by Dave Lee

What brand of chili, or do you make your own?


Dave

I'm really not particular. This was probably Wolf brand.
One chili dog doesn't require very much chili and I used to balk at opening a can just to use such a small amount.
Madam came up with a solution to that.
She suggested that I spoon the can of chili into an old plastic ice tray & freeze it. Then pop the frozen cubes into a plastic bag for storage in the freezer.
That chilicheese dog had one thawed chilicube in it.

[1911man]

Kudos on Mildred's project, I'm sure she is as pleased as you are. I am also much impressed with the chili cube solution!

[milomilo]

You could add an adjustable idler sprocket to take up the chain slack. If it was mine, I'd leave it just like it is, since it looks to work well. It sure makes moving the head up or down a real easy task. Is there a powder coat coming in the future?

[Dave Lee]

Chilly, chili cubes. I love it! I usually, buy Hormel but, it's a little too salty, anymore.

Dave

[brucew]

Originally Posted by cutter

Well Neal, at least you said something.
Old Man would be ripping on about the "ratio" on this one.

Great job Cutter. I don't read often in the Machining section 'cause I don't understand most of what is said/defined here so that is why I haven't commented before.

I can comment on the "redneck flap stick"...you had posted about this some years ago and it is a tool I have since used many times in my meager endeavors, so thanks for that.

Again, great job and I enjoyed the read.

[madam X]

Originally Posted by Dave Lee

Chilly, chili cubes. I love it! I usually, buy Hormel but, it's a little too salty, anymore.

I freeze my homemade pesto the same way.


Buttermilk for smoothies, too.

[cutter]

Originally Posted by 1911man

Kudos on Mildred's project, I'm sure she is as pleased as you are. I am also much impressed with the chili cube solution!

Gee, maybe I should send that in to Heloise.

Originally Posted by milomilo

Is there a powder coat coming in the future?

No. That means 'not yes". Hell no.
It might get some Permatex slopped on it if I have reason to dismount the thing.

Originally Posted by brucew

I can comment on the "redneck flap stick"...you had posted about this some years ago and it is a tool I have since used many times in my meager endeavors, so thanks for that.

Again, great job and I enjoyed the read.

You're welcome, Bruce. Sometimes the simplest things are best.
I use it pretty often too.
And thank you.