On Sat, 11 May 2019 12:35:23 -0700, Bob La Londe
wrote:
Its pretty sad when I have to kill list my own thread because
regulars
keep replying to the trolls I already have blocked.


On 4/25/2019 8:24 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
Back in the mid 90s atleast partly with help from this group I
made my
first "punch" and "die."* I needed to install some photo beams at
a port
of entry for a pedestrian counter.* I designed the "system" using
a
variety of parts and components, but I was concerned about the
photo
beams themselves.* They had something like a 5 year warranty, but
the
lenses were polycarbonate. Each set of beams had to be placed in
a
walkway between counters.* My concern was that people brushing by
would
quickly wear the lens as clothing bags, and misc items brushed
against
the sides of the walkway.* I didn't want to be that guy who
everybody
there got to know because I was always there fixing it.* I had
the idea
to recess the emitter and sensor so that only the most aggressive
brushing up against might contact the surfaces.* I looked all
over, but
nobody made a recessed electrical plate that I thought would
work.* I
took a piece of hot rolled (didn't even know what it was called
at the
time) and cut one pieces with a rectangular hole in it to mate
with the
back of an aluminum electrical blank plate.* I chamfered the
edges by
hand with a grinder so it was a decent fit.* Then I cut a small
piece to
mate with it about plate thickness smaller all the way around and
hand
chamfered it as well.* Then I just mashed a cover plate between
them
with my hydraulic press.* (had it for automotive work, not
machine
work)* It looked amazingly good.* I doubt the guys at GSA ever
noticed
that was a custom piece.

As a new (mostly black box) system it had its development issues,
but
lens wear of the emitter and sensor was not one of them.* It was
in use
for years until they went to a new system with some big
contractor at
all the ports.

That was definitely metal working.* I doubt it was really
machining
though except in the crudest sense.* I take that sort of approach
to a
lot of what I do.* I don't have a stick up my butt about being a
"machinist" "welder" "fabricator" "mechanic".* In fact my
knowledge is
lacking really in all of those areas even though now I make my
living as
a niche market mold maker. I can weld.* If its important to look
pretty
I do some practice welds and then do the real weld after I've
taken a
break and I am fresh.* If it just has to stick I burn it together
and
clean it up with a grinder.* I know less about welding than
almost
anybody else in this group, but oddly enough I have five electric
welders and an OA rig and I have welded parts still in use today
with
all but one of them.* (Just got a new AC/DC pulse TIG a couple
days
ago.)* Fabricator is a tough term to define, but I've built and
converted trailers a welding table wood storage rack and various
other
things to fit needs.A lot of welding there, but various other
fabrication skills as well.* Still I don't consider myself a
fabricator.* I do have people bring me things to make or fix, but
I turn
down a lot of it unless they are friends and they stay to help.*
What
about a machinist... No.* Just ask any old manual machinist.* I'm
just a
hack, button pushing, shade tree, wannabe by the very fact that I
never
serviced apprenticeship for 3 lifetimes in a steam powered line
shop.* LOL.

Since I'm no longer a contractor (retired and sold out) what does
that
make me?* There is a lot I don't know, but very few projects am I
afraid
to try to come up with a solution.* Atleast for myself.* I won't
always
take on projects for others.* If I don't know I learn how.* If I
can't
figure it out myself I ask questions.* If I don't have the
recommended
tools I think about it and see if I can find alternatives.* If I
still
have to have the tools I put them on the list and when I have
money I
buy them.

The term "Maker" always bothered me.* It didn't sound quite
right, but
ultimately I think that's what I am.* A maker.* I find ways to
make what
I need and I don't worry to much about being true to any
particular
trade.* If it works it works.

I'm a long time member of this group of course.* Saddens me to
see that
signal to nose ration what it is today.* I'm a member of various
other
groups.* Some very specialized around a particular piece of
equipment
like the Yahoo mailing list for the mini lathe and others more
broad
like Home Shop Machinist, so when I started my own group (on
Facebook)
what did I call it?* Makers & Builders.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MakersBuilders/ Visit or don't.*
I'm
good either way.


Its pretty sad when I have to kill list my own thread because
regulars
keep replying to the trolls I already have blocked.

The **** in a Dress poisons every well he stops to moisten his ****
at.