And so it begins.... (My adventures into Alox!)

[Syph007]

I wonder how the DSAK or Endor Farmer would look with red liners 

I know I thought the same.. I was out of red or I would have tried.  For some reason getting my red order correct has been a nightmare.  Its going on the 3rd try this week.  I think he must have changed something in his process since the SAK scales havent changed.  The last 2 times the anodize was not smooth over all the surface.  I hope it works this time!

[papercut]

Color me very interested in two or three BO/HAIII models!  Relatively mass produced Syph models would be a dream.

As a Red and Black University of Georgia Alum, I approve of your plans!

[Syph007]

Well since I have new parts that I essentially part value at $0 (climbers and super tinkers minus scissors), I think I could get the cost down to around $40 - 45 depending on how many I could get done for one batch of BO, and hard anodize.  Labor for assembly should only be 20 minutes to peen together a 91.  Although I think I would have to edge polish the Al liners for the red to come out nice.. so thats a bit more.

The black oxide on stainless costs almost double what the hard anodize does on Al. For the first batch of BO I only ran enough for 8 SAKs worth and it worked out to around or just under $20 for BO on one SAK.  It would at least make them more interesting than stock spartans and tinkers though, so I think its worth a little experiment.

[papercut]

You know, this is a slippery slope to a new market for you...  BO/HAIII Huntsman,  Compacts, et all would be huge for you!  Your secondary stream of income could increase quite a bit!

Your offerings could be some standard models and then custom models.  Hmmm- have you thought of hiring some local kids part time to help speed up the process?  They could assemble the standard models, while you focus on the more engaging customs. 

What about having a Kickstarter (Maybe need to use Indiegogo in Canada) to raise some capital for new equipment?  There would be tax implications, but as long as you had more expenses than revenue, it would work out.  Maybe you don't want to make it such a "pro" operation- more of a hobby with benefits.

Actually these BO/HAIII spartans would be a perfect entry level reward for such a Kickstarter.  Higher levels could have higher level knives.  Basically filling up your mod dance card in advance.  To avoid the Eye of Elsener, the mods would strictly be rewards for pledges, not for sale in the Kickstarter.  Raising money for equipment would be the stated goal. 

Based on some comments you have made elsewhere about your "normal" career, I expect you have already considered these issues.  :p

[Syph007]

I need to teach my wife to peen.. lol.  I almost had her convinced to cut some brass liners for me, but she wouldnt give it a try.    But really I dont want to ramp up making 91mm mods until I can make alox scales for them.  Making cool SAKs with no plastic parts on them is my true mission!  I just want to find a use for all the new parts that are sitting idle and lonely in my parts boxes, and its fun to try new things.

[papercut]

Do you have a roadmap for fabbing up some 91mm checkered (or otherwise) 91mm scales?  I know there was a bit of brainstorming in the past (and PTR did make some), but I am not aware of any forward momentum. 

Maybe +B has cracked the code?

[Syph007]

Do you have a roadmap for fabbing up some 91mm checkered (or otherwise) 91mm scales?  I know there was a bit of brainstorming in the past (and PTR did make some), but I am not aware of any forward momentum. 

Maybe +B has cracked the code?

Step 1.  Buy Mill
Step 2.  CNC convert it
Step 3.  Machine scales!

I already have the model made up in CAD.  And I am FINALLY doing step one today.. in 1 hour actually.  Just called and I can go over and buy my mill!  Im debating 2 different models, one is slightly less expenseive, and also easier to CNC, so it feels like there is a catch.. but he says its very good still so... I have some quick reading to do.

Its between these two...

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16301&cat=253&page=1

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16242&cat=253&page=1

The sieg has more aftermarket parts,.. but he has a ready to go kit to CNC the other one....

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16334&cat=323&page=1

So its tough call...  but I will read some reviews then inspect both machines well.

[papercut]

Hehe

fun!

[Syph007]

Hehe

fun!

I went with the BF20... should be here on friday.  Its 400lbs so I couldnt move it on my own, have to have it delivered.

[lowtech]

 

Me want one. Badly.

[enki_ck]

A nice, VERY late birthday present you have there. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

[Syph007]

A nice, VERY late birthday present you have there. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

I'm not a machinist for real, just pretend, so I have to figure out all this terminology now, and what kinds of collets I need.  It doenst come with anything but a single arbor so I need to order a collet set and drill bit holder.... but Im making progress at least.  And this model is much easier to CNC convert.... but one step at a time, there are parts I can make in manual mode before I do the upgrade.

[enki_ck]

A nice, VERY late birthday present you have there. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

I'm not a machinist for real, just pretend, so I have to figure out all this terminology now, and what kinds of collets I need.  It doenst come with anything but a single arbor so I need to order a collet set and drill bit holder.... but Im making progress at least.  And this model is much easier to CNC convert.... but one step at a time, there are parts I can make in manual mode before I do the upgrade.

Hopefully Bob will be back full time in a bit over a month so he can help you with the details. And I think there are a few other machinist here also.

[MadPlumbarian]

A nice, VERY late birthday present you have there. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

I'm not a machinist for real, just pretend, so I have to figure out all this terminology now, and what kinds of collets I need.  It doenst come with anything but a single arbor so I need to order a collet set and drill bit holder.... but Im making progress at least.  And this model is much easier to CNC convert.... but one step at a time, there are parts I can make in manual mode before I do the upgrade.

Hopefully Bob will be back full time in a bit over a month so he can help you with the details. And I think there are a few other machinist here also.

I did some back in high school, but that was like way back, and knowing me I'd leave the key in the chuck on the lathe.  JR

[papercut]

Well it looks like you don't need to ask you wife to cut liners any more! 

Hot damn!

[crackout]

Now we're getting serious here.

[Syph007]

Cadet mods are frustrating to get just right as the pivot tolerance is very tight for correct length.  This one was particularly frustrating to try to get the awl on there.  I matched the shape of the pivot to the nail file it was replacing, but it took alot of fiddling to get just right.  I think Im going to official stop taking new cadet orders in future, I dont enjoy working on this size of SAK at all.  The pioneer size and even the 58 size are more enjoyable for me to work on.

Anyways here it is.  Urban pioneer junior.

[crackout]

I think Im going to official stop taking new cadet orders in future, I dont enjoy working on this size of SAK at all. 

Weeee...that makes my Syph-Cadet even more special.
If it gets here one day... (been waiting 31 days until now)

[Syph007]

You know the excitement of getting new SAKs in the mail... well getting 400lbs of freight in the morning is very exciting too!!!



Guess what Im doing today?







I think its also time to formally abandon the idea that I'll ever park a car in here again, and just build some big benches and shelves and get all organized.   

[enki_ck]

(Image removed from quote.)

Wow. that thing is BIG.

I think its also time to formally abandon the idea that I'll ever park a car in here again, and just build some big benches and shelves and get all organized.   

Looking forward to your "How I Learned to Stop Worrying about the Garage and Organised the Wokshop" thread by Dr. Strangelove Syph007.

[papercut]

Thats no garage- it is the sak lab!

[nj2656]

That's a shame about the Cadets. Well maybe you'll go back to them later. Really was hoping for a Jr. Have you done a double opener/Phillips on a Farmer? If so do you have a picture?

[digitaldave]

think Im going to official stop taking new cadet orders in future, I dont enjoy working on this size of SAK at all.  The pioneer size and even the 58 size are more enjoyable for me to work on.

Glad I got my order in when I did!

[Syph007]

That's a shame about the Cadets. Well maybe you'll go back to them later. Really was hoping for a Jr. Have you done a double opener/Phillips on a Farmer? If so do you have a picture?

Well if I figure out a better way to build them with the pivots I'll continue.  The scales are so thin that its really hard to counter sink the screws and still have pivot in the scale.  I get about 0.010" in the scale and its really annoying to get it just right. I also have to use a coutersink bit on the pivot itself to get the screw to fit.  It takes about double the time to build a cadet vs a pioneer so its really annoying.  What I should do is look for shallow button heads so they might stick up from the surface a bit, but much easier to build and stronger in theory.  I could mill a small recess say half way through the scale, then the button head could sit in that... hmm ya I like that idea much better.

I sent more scales for white cerakote, and 4 sets were cadet scales, so I'll at least build 4 more black/white cadets.   

I got the stand unboxed and roughly in position.  It needs to be leveled and bolted to the floor next.





The guy recommended an engine hoist to lift the mill onto the stand... I haven't figured out how to get that up there yet but if the Egyptians built the pyramids with primitive tools, surely I can lift a 400lb mill 4 ft vertically... 

[enki_ck]

Do you know any contractors you could borrow a winch from?

[Syph007]

Do you know any contractors you could borrow a winch from?

Nope, all my friends work in IT.   There is an equiptment rental place near me though, I think I'll see if they rent hoists.

[MadPlumbarian]

Do you know any contractors you could borrow a winch from?

Nope, all my friends work in IT.   There is an equiptment rental place near me though, I think I'll see if they rent hoists.

how about a floor jack? there should be one in the car with the spare tire, it will take some time but theres a few ways to do it! JR

[nuphoria]

New toys.... very exciting

[tattoosteve99]

A simple a frame and a pulley. Classic but it will do the job. :jealous:

[Syph007]

A simple a frame and a pulley. Classic but it will do the job. :jealous:

Ive got time to figure something out.  It's an MT2 taper so I have to get a collet set still, so its not like I can use it yet anyhow.  I got one ordered though, and a drill chuck.  I need a vice still too, but eventually I can do something cool.