Wonk:
Like you I built the series without having anyone to ask for advice. When I ran into problems I sat down on a bucket and figured it out. And I had to find out that the books are almost error-free on my own. That's how I ended up making a 46-1/2 tooth gear for the change gears (the number of holes in the dividing plate is different than what's in the book).
After building the original you can make all kinds of modifications a lot faster. A few years ago I started a modified second lathe (not finished, but it's on the list of projects to finish before I start another). When I built the first one it took two weekends and all the evenings between to scrape the bed. I was using a 1" wood chisel, paint, and a lot of rags and hand cleaner. When I did the bed for the second one I started by milling it. That got the scraping down to an afternoon. The equipment won't eliminate the work done by hand, but it sure makes it go quicker.
So how much of the series did you build the first time around?
John Schwytzer
West Milton, Ohio
On 2 Mar 2011 at 18:03, Wonk wrote:
> Hello John,
>
> I see you have some of the same thoughts as me on Gingery and glad
> you have expressed them! I suspect we are in a minority of those who
> completed the machines? I agree, and in my opinion they should be
> built as designed before saying some part or all needs to be
> modified. As I was building I didn't have the network of folks like
> available here, so when I ran into troubles I had to work through
> it. Same with lower priced store bought machines!
> Building is not for everyone and some of us learn that it takes a
> multitude of skills to somewhat master. The training most get in
> school is to master one thing, where-as it takes many to make a
> decent machine from scratch.
> Thanks for your input!
>
> Cheers Wonk
>
> --- In gingery_machines@yahoogroups.com, John Schwytzer
> <jschwytzer@...> wrote:
> >
> > Wonk:
> >
> > I built the entire series except the hand brake. The lathe and
> shaper were finished in 1995, drill press in 1996, mill in 1998 (I
> went back to college in 1996), and the dividing head and change
> gears in 2003. The machines are all old enough that they need to be
> rebuilt.
> >
> > I bought a 10x22 lathe (Grizzley G0602) in 2008 and a mill-drill
> (Grizzley G0619) last summer, so rebuilding can wait. I'm planning
> to rebuild later this year after I finish some other projects.
> Right now I'm trying to finish a wood lathe.
> >
> > Since I don't post much I'll add a few opinions:
> >
> > 1. The series is a great way to learn, and you end up with
> machines that are capable of precise work. But the precision
> doesn't come fast. If you want fast you'll have to buy machines, so
> it's more expensive (I built my lathe for ~$250 and scrounging).
> >
> > 2. Use whatever you have on hand to build. Aluminum alloys are
> not created equal, but all will work. My machines are made of
> whatever aluminum I had at the time. Just make sure your cutters
> are sharp.
> >
> > 3. Before building a machine with a bunch of modifications you
> might want to build as designed first. That way you understand the
> entire process, and you have equipment to help. It takes longer
> but, in my opinion, you have a greater chance of success.
> >
> > 4. Don't give up. It takes a lot of work to build these machines.
> Stick with it and you'll finish eventually.
> >
> > John Schwytzer
> > West Milton, Ohio
> >
> >
> > On 28 Feb 2011 at 17:24, Wonk wrote:
> >
> > > I would be courious how many Gingery machines are actually made
> to
> > > completion, and are being used now?
> > >
> > > Wonk
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