On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:51:38 -0600, dpb wrote:

Frank Boettcher wrote:
On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:54:25 -0600, dpb wrote:

Frank Boettcher wrote:
On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:38:51 -0600, dpb wrote:

Frank Boettcher wrote:
On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:35:15 -0600, dpb wrote:

Again, I wish many things were the way they used to be, including
casting foundry in McMinnville, but it's a different world...

Why on earth......
We've discussed this before as well, Frank. Delta isn't only place
where changes have occurred, not all to our liking...


I mean why the McMinnville foundry?

Then PM would still be manufacturing in TN, too...I figured you'd pick
up on that in a heartbeat...


What you're looking for in gray iron castings is consistent adherence
to specification for chemistry and mechanical properties. Castings
vary by size and complexity of geometry and the best castings come
from foundries that have specialized processes that perfectly fit the
size and complexity. They are usually very large, high tonnage
foundries and have multiple processes (Disamatic, match plate, cope
and drag, etc.) or they specalize in just one process and one size
range.

Small, product dedicated, foundries that try to do a full size range
without the highly automated equipment for the smaller castings, or
the overall pouring tonnage, find it difficult to compete. I think
the McMinnville foundry fell into that category, although, I believe
the foundry actually outlived the PM manufacturing facility. Delta
had foundries in the past, closed them in favor of sourcing from the
large specialists, improving quality and lowering cost.

I think they still assemble in the Nashville area, but source their
parts from wherever. The contract facility that machines their
tables, also makes the tables for the Unisaw. At least that's how it
was a year or two ago.

The closing of their McMinville operations was sad. I had always
considered them a worthy competitor with great products, not an import
copycat company.

Frank


I'm sure I've told the story of picking up stuff there directly years
ago and getting the cook's tour...