tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post4573175769350326884..comments2023-11-05T06:16:56.961-05:00Comments on the Carpentry Way: Adventures in Machine Land (IV)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-75068841678346681482011-04-30T16:47:26.457-04:002011-04-30T16:47:26.457-04:00Thanks Steve. I think the only way to really know ...Thanks Steve. I think the only way to really know a machine is to take it apart and put it back together. Not knowing how to tune and repair a machine is akin to having chisels which you don't know how to sharpen (or won't sharpen). Sadly, many woodworkers I have come across seem to prefer to remain almost willfully ignorant of their equipment (for what reasons I can only guess at) and continue using that equipment even when it is clearly out of adjustment and working far short of its true capabilities. I could tell you some stories, but I will save that for later!<br /><br />~ChrisAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-88766626696729028742011-04-30T16:38:22.772-04:002011-04-30T16:38:22.772-04:00Hi Chris,
I don't really have any machinery (...Hi Chris,<br /><br />I don't really have any machinery (wouldn't be cost effective for me), but I am fascinated with the old ones (not bikes!) for some reason, so I appreciate your posting your efforts to tweak/tune/restore. There is immense satisfaction with being able to confront and fix problems that arise with most things, rather than have to rely on someone else (brain surgery, etc. excepted), and I think there is immeasurable benefit from having the knowledge to do so. And I'm sure you've learned that while it takes time, it is really not very difficult in most cases. Having the knowledge to use and fix one's tools is almost a necessity to consider oneself accomplished, but in any case, adds richness to the path we follow.<br /><br />So not only can you inspire others in your woodworking, you can impress with your mechanical genius too!<br /><br />SteveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-16277588121600900882011-04-30T10:55:43.733-04:002011-04-30T10:55:43.733-04:00Will,
thanks again for your input. I agree that r...Will,<br /><br />thanks again for your input. I agree that removing twist from the base is a necessary first step. in this case, the bases were leveled to one another but the bridge had a slight twist in the middle, and I wasn't about to strip it all down and take the bridge for machining. Maybe one day, maybe not!<br /><br />Nick,<br /><br />I'm familiar with that machine. I would say it is not worth bothering with trying to re-hone blades in cutterheads set up for that system. There usually is more than a little re-honing necessary, for one thing, it is difficult to keep the honing/sharpening perfectly parallel over the length of each blade, and since the knife position can't be altered in the head there is a high possibility your final cutting arc will not be even across the knives and the jointing will not be as good. It's disposable tooling, plain and simple. I might add, in theory at least, your time is money, and the advantage to those quick change knives is less machine down-time and time out of your day setting the knives into place. How long would it take you to hone knives versus how much do the new knives cost?<br /><br />Dan,<br /><br />the tearing into that coffee table has just begun, and that thread will be getting going soon. I'm still not quite finalized on the design. Thanks for your comment!<br /><br />~ChrisAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-42820109580157994142011-04-30T00:28:38.352-04:002011-04-30T00:28:38.352-04:00Hi Chris,
Great work, glad you got it tuned up an...Hi Chris,<br /><br />Great work, glad you got it tuned up and ready to go. Sorry to hear that you had such a hard time with the bearings and that Lynn couldn't help you.<br /><br />Looking forward to reading about you tearing into the new coffee table project.<br /><br />DanDan McC.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02634565056936864787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-75307170997965482842011-04-29T23:22:11.120-04:002011-04-29T23:22:11.120-04:00wow talk about finicky!!! But you did inspire me t...wow talk about finicky!!! But you did inspire me to give my jointer some loving. <br /><br />quick question...ive got the Hammer A3-31 jointer/planer combo...the knives are disposable and really thin and flexible. i was wondering if there was a way to be a cheap skate and somehow hone the blades to get some more life out of them?Nick Brygidyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16106095548772647316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-52010925021080324112011-04-29T23:16:25.787-04:002011-04-29T23:16:25.787-04:00Nicely done. Your methods look good, and the proof...Nicely done. Your methods look good, and the proof is in the cut. If your base is twisted I bet its not by much. Have you faced anything wide yet? <br /><br />Like you I did not believe that twist could have any ill effect when I first got into one of these machines. Having seen the positive effects of removing twist from a base I am inclined to believe it is a necessary condition to remedy, but by no means the only one. I have adjusted 4 166 jointers, 3 16"s and a 20", and each one had its own issues to be worked out in order to run right. Glad you are back to making shavings.<br /><br />-WillWillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-61355227746216244522011-04-29T23:07:03.180-04:002011-04-29T23:07:03.180-04:00Hi PhilM,
the differences between the machinist&#...Hi PhilM,<br /><br />the differences between the machinist's level and a carpenters level comes down to four things, as far as I can tell:<br /><br />1. The base of the machinist's level is scraped to a high standard of flatness<br /><br />2. the bubble vial in the machinist's level is very precisely machined and shaped and is of ground glass. Cheaper levels have vials of plastic or bent glass<br /><br />3. the vial in the machinist's level is configured so that the bubble moves more quickly across -i.e., the bubble is less curved internally than the one in a standard builder's level - and this makes it more sensitive<br /><br />4. on the machinist's level, the bubble is sized so as to fall exactly between the inscribed marks, rather than more vaguely occupy a space between the lines as in the builder's level. The marked divisions on the machinist's level are precisely calibrated.<br /><br />Of course, that extra precision comes at a price! I was fortunate to be able to borrow that level from the local machine shop. I'd like to get one some day though.<br /><br />~ChrisAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-8822394441996714302011-04-29T21:52:47.044-04:002011-04-29T21:52:47.044-04:00Hi Chris,
Interesting account! I have a little jo...Hi Chris,<br /><br />Interesting account! I have a little jointer that is not working right and I have been dreading setting it up. I hope to have an easier time than you did! <br /><br />I was quite surprised to see the difference between the two levels. I have always thought that machinists levels are just nicer housings. What do you think is the difference? Does the machinist's vial have a coating or the liquid inside different in its viscosity or some other property?<br /><br />PhilMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com