The Heart Of The Matter

Snapped from my fonecam.

Big Help

These are what you call "cheats". But necessary cheats. It's also called being precise about doing something serious.

Brackets

I was opting for the normal bent plate brackets, but then again, normal bores me.

The Lab

Stacking On Stainless

Came out at 115 amps, 2.4mm for both tungsten and filler rod.

Luigi's Knuckle Bar

Attack Bars

And on this note, the shop is officially open.

Snaps :: The Hangar

Horizontal and Vertical Bandsaw

Missionary positionStanding position

Three and a half hours of grueling stop and go traffic from Ayala all the way to Balintawak pays off. Now I can maintain a smooth hand complexion while cranking out bars and whatnots.

New Toys

Shear and Nibbler

Sludge Cleanup

To anyone who knows what these are, they are a true gem. And is copy worthy.

Parts

Home Made Converter

My machinist came over with a "magician" - my term for someone who can whip up something out of nothing - to test the lathe and see how it scores. Overall I am very happy with the unit, with only minor repairs to tick off on my list. It's a very robust machine constructed out of fine metal. Old school yes, but extremely functional and versatile. They were amused. We still have to check inside the thread box on a later meeting, but they've already installed the converter, a 3-piece-into-1 unit that can utilize a simple extension into a normal plug. And I thought I might have to bum with a separate fuse box for this.

This portable converter is home made and there is nothing like it out on the market. Will be making custom switches for the forward and reverse controls mounted into the carriage, and ticked dials and mm indicators for the hand wheels. And yeah, this baby won't be green for long. It's always been a dull color for me. I've already began stripping the paint off.

Early Present

Two men were praying for rain. Afterwards one waited for it, while the other one prepared his field to receive it.

I've been anticipating December as the month that I would, as sure as I went through puberty, finally purchase this big boy toy. Three weeks of browsing ads and forums, making calls paid off one afternoon when I chanced on a number. I forwarded an inquiry, half-heartedly expecting any result like the previous ones. But this time the person on the other end replied positively. "Yes, we have a machine that would fit your budget. Please call this number.."

An hour later I was zipping through heavy traffic 35 miles away into northern metro to meet the man and see the merchandise. It was a beauty. I was looking for a Japanese brand but instead snagged an English Colchester lathe. I had to numb myself from being too anxious that night and slept it off. Swallowing a hefty price tag the size of a golf ball, I'd say it was well worth it. Way below more than a quarter of the actual value, this would pay off in the long run.


Now I'm in my element again: studying and research. I just love learning new things that would edge me towards doing what I love doing. And since this came to me in stock form, there's nothing better to do than to start off customizing this baby as well.

Grow slow and steady.

Diamond Dave