What came in the mail today?

[legenddc]

On 8/27/2023 at 9:04 AM, Von said:

I'm in a similar state and welcome you sharing your experiences. Congrats on the purchase.

Our local library can print things out for free. I’ve had them do it a few times from free online plans. Can’t seem to use it enough to justify buying one. 

[Mark J]

For me, the issue would be how to learn how to use a 3D printer.  I'm going to be interested to follow JohnG's experience.

[Immortan D]

Got this one to replace my old Stanley "general purpose" saw:

Bahco ergo superior 22". Cuts fast and without much effort. I really like it.

[Von]

Sent the blade that came with my used Kapex into Festool's sharpening service a week ago and it came back today.

[Coop]

Let us know what you think after using it. 

[pkinneb]

My airclamp kit and a couple other accessories arrived for my Pantorouter. Looking forward to getting this set up and in use for my spectator chairs build coming up

[BonPacific]

New toy day!

[Mark J]

8 hours ago, BonPacific said:

New toy day!

Definitely have to post some follow-up on that.

 

[BonPacific]

On 10/15/2023 at 6:52 AM, Mark J said:

Definitely have to post some follow-up on that.

 

Assembly was reasonably straight forward, and I was able to get cutting maybe 3 hours later. I've been impressed by the ease of use for what is a pretty budget machine (Elegoo Phecda 20W). It'll work with a computer, gcode loaded onto a flash card, or via wifi/app.

I've got a full dust enclosure on the way, but a simple extraction fan mounted to the gantry and running a hose out the window works pretty well for a temporary setup. Eventually this and my 3D printer will move into the loft

Currently cutting out some MDF model kits, but I'm looking forward to trying engraving some boxes and the big thing, cutting templates for router work.

[Mark J]

What's the maximum thickness of plywood/MDF you can cut?  Can you cut acrylic? 

[BonPacific]

On 10/16/2023 at 5:34 AM, Mark J said:

What's the maximum thickness of plywood/MDF you can cut?  Can you cut acrylic? 

I've been cutting 3mm MDF and 1/8" tempered hardboard in single passes with no trouble on the base settings, though it can get a little charred on the edges (multiple passes would help but I'm impatient). It should handle 1/4" ply in a single pass as well, but I haven't tried that yet. According to the manufacturer it maxes out around 14mm/0.5" in basswood. In theory it could go even deeper but I expect you'd have to re-focus the laser/adjust the Z at a certain depth. There's no Z axis motor on this machine, so it'd probably be too finnicky to pause a cut, manually lower the laser head without bumping the material, and resume.

It's a diode laser, so not great for acrylics because of the visible wavelength. People have reported mixed success with 1/8" black or blue acrylic, or by painting the cut/leaving the paper on other colors. But it won't really touch clear and is apparently quite ragged for red/orange. I do want to experiment with some solid plastics or dense foams, just have to avoid anything with vinyl/PVC in it because of the corrosive gas.

[Coop]

Since my second late evening adult beverage after my Metamucil is a shot of good tequila, I ordered a couple of agave plants off of Amazon, thinking I could start production in a couple of months. I guess I should have given it a little more thought and a few more years? 

[JohnG]

Had a new toy delivered today!

Driver also left another surprise for me-

Missed our package drop platform but nailed the mailbox as he backed up and turned around. 

[Mark J]

What's the "toy"?

[JohnG]

On 10/20/2023 at 8:14 AM, Mark J said:

What's the "toy"?

Grabbed a Harvey T-40 lathe. My old Nova Comet (original, not II) was getting tired. Plus, the 5” max radius and 11” between centers didn’t allow for much variety. This has 7” radius, 22”+ between centers (plus 12” extension bed), rotating headstock with outboard tool rest, reversible and variable speed motor, etc. 

Barely fits on my lathe bench.

 

[pkinneb]

On 10/20/2023 at 7:27 AM, JohnG said:

Grabbed a Harvey T-40 lathe. My old Nova Comet (original, not II) was getting tired. Plus, the 5” max radius and 11” between centers didn’t allow for much variety. This has 7” radius, 22”+ between centers (plus 12” extension bed), rotating headstock with outboard tool rest, reversible and variable speed motor, etc. 

Barely fits on my lathe bench.

 

Nice!!

Re the mailbox...you gotta love living in the country. I live at the corner of two county roads and the county plow drivers took mine out so many times they finally put one in that swings around when they hit it 

[pkinneb]

Its here!!! After a 3 1/2 month wait I finally got my new Nova Nebula lathe today 

Hopefully I can get my son to help me put it together this weekend but now the wife are heading out on what might be are last convertible drive this year. Its a gorgeous day here in MN today.

[JohnG]

City folk just don’t understand the joy of unloading a tool delivery with a tractor.

[Tom King]

I'm out here fighting ants and trying to get grass to grow, while you guys are having all the fun with an early Christmas.

[Mark J]

Just getting the Nebula out of the box looks like it will be a project.  Hope you can share some pictures.

[JohnG]

On 10/21/2023 at 8:53 AM, Mark J said:

Just getting the Nebula out of the box looks like it will be a project.  Hope you can share some pictures.

+1

Just getting my T-40 out of the crate and onto my workbench was a bear to do alone. It’s listed at 178lb so I probably should have waited for a helper. 
 

[pkinneb]

On 10/21/2023 at 7:53 AM, Mark J said:

Just getting the Nebula out of the box looks like it will be a project.  Hope you can share some pictures.

It wasn't to bad and I was able to do it solo but the head is heavy, really really heavy lol. Having said that it would have been tough to have two guys on it at once as well so I just lifted it myself. The entire lathe was about 500 lbs so by sliding everything off the rails it wasn't to bad. Unfortunately I was focused and didn't take any pics. Once you pull the top of the crate off you find the leg brace bolted to the two ends. After removing that you can unmount the legs which are bolted to the front and back walls of the create. with the legs together the rest is mounted to the bottom of the crate just as it would be on the lathe so I carefully slid one piece off at a time then mounted the rail to the legs and slide everything back on. I did have one issue the speed knob came broken everything else looks good and it works fine but had to put in a warranty claim for the knob. I will say over the years Acme Tools has been awesome to work with and there were on the lathe as well. I look forward to using the lathe and will provide a proper review but for now I am working on making a new tool holder and shelf for turning blanks. 

I want to do a quick shoot out to @Mark J our resident woodturner for helping me during the research phase of this purchase!! I didn't even have this lathe on my radar but given my space constraints, turning desires, and budget I think this was a great choice for me. Thanks Mark!!

[JohnG]

Looks awesome! Nova makes good stuff. 

[Mark J]

Looks really nice sitting in your shop.

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

Benchcrafted Benchmakers Kit. 

 

I'm in trouble now... Lol