know sale (or) someone needs a belt

I don't know what possesses some salespeople to act the way they do, especially the technical ones.

A few months ago I went looking for a new 6" or 8" double-ended grinder. I have collected quite a few vintage planes & chisels that will need (substantial) restoration. Many irons are in quite sad shape and will (at least) need a new primary bevel ground. While I am keen to do the final honing by hand, I am not keen on trying to grind away years of abuse to form a new basic bevel manually; I simply don't have that kind of time.

The staff member at the shop didn't so much ask me what I wanted the grinder for as to launch right into a rote diatribe about how to properly sharpen tools. This salesperson stopped just short of flatly refusing to sell me a bench grinder - while sending the clear signal that he considered me an ignorant butcher (or worse) - without bothering to find out any of the reasons I wanted one. I also need one to grind HSS lathe tools, but he didn't make the effort to learn that, either.

Two days ago I went into that shop looking for V-belts. When I asked to peruse their selection, the same fellow immediately demanded of me, "What do you want them for?" I told him I needed some belts to repair an old 'Brand X' drill press. He scowled and told me they didn't sell parts for 'Brand X'. I insisted that he check to see if the two part numbers which were listed on their very own website were in stock. One of them was present and, despite my irritation, I bought it. However if this guy remains employed with this shop I'm going to find somewhere else to spend my discretionary funds.

sawing to beat the band

Thanks to some random grazing of Kijiji, I spotted a Busy Bee bandsaw not too far from my crumbled abode.

A quick trip in the morning sunshine revealed a unit that is a little worse for wear, but not unsalvageable. Quick tests showed it was functional and worthy of some attention.

14", late 80's vintage from Taiwan. Cast iron frame, wheels, and table. 3-speed pulley arrangement. Probably the same model as was offered by 1/2 dozen distributors during that era, just with a different name plate on the front.

Needs new belts, blade guides, and thrust bearings. A new power switch wouldn't go amiss. No mitre fence or rip fence, but those are easily cobbled up. The way it's made will make it fairly easy to modify or add bits & pieces as requirements demand.

I was able to knock it down into 3 pieces to get it from the driveway to the basement. I probably could have split it at the riser location but that would have meant more fiddly re-assembly later. It may come to that during the cleaning and re-alignment phases anyway,

Score - Busy Bee was able to provide a scanned copy of the original manual!

surprising service

I recently had occasion to order a couple of hardcover books via Alibris. I chose the vendor a) because the price was reasonable, and b) because they were in Canada so there would be no Customs clearance fee. Shortly after agreeing to the price I was contacted asking for extra funds to cover the shipping; it seems the quoted price was for a single volume. I must admit feeling a little put out by this request but, as the total cost was still going to be reasonable, I agreed.

The package that arrived (swiftly, I might add) was excruciatingly well packed. I immediately realised that this vendor really cares about the handling of books. Each volume was crisply wrapped in its own kraft paper sheath, and the pair were swathed in heavy duty plastic film. The shipping box fitted the volumes without slop and was heavy enough to pad the corners against all but the most serious impact.

The vendor is Burton Lysecki Books, of Winnipeg. If I ever get out that way, you can rest assured that this is THE place I will stop and visit.

The bitterness of poor quality...

...remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

With respect to a tap & die set from Mastercraft (Canadian Tire).
It would be more aptly referred to as a crap & cry set.
The description "tool-shaped objects" would fit this collection of motley misfits.
Not a single item is without some minor (!) defect in the design or making thereof.

The whole concept of a "set" of things must have been hatched by angry marketers.
Angry at the world, and determined to take their revenge upon it.
"Lets put a bunch of low-quality-crap-we-ordered-while-drunk and things-we-got-suckered-into-stocking-thousands-of into a pretty box and tell the masses they're saving money by buying a 'set' of tools!"

Buy only the pieces you need, when you need them.
Buy the best quality you can afford, even if it hurts a little.

You will always regret being inappropriately frugal when what money you've spent doesn't get the job done.

If you've had to buy the same tool twice, you didn't spend enough the first time.

variable speed headstock

Finally got around to converting my headstock to variable speed DC control. The Taig lathe comes equipped with a set of 6-step pulleys intended to be run from a ~1550 RPM AC motor. This gave speeds of 525, 825, 1300, 2100, 3350 and 5300 RPM.

The new variable speed drive will allow 0-5000 RPM operation, with simple current limiting and load compensation adjustments. Under load (when cutting), the controller will increase power to the motor in an attempt to keep the revs constant.

The drive is from KB Electronics (model KBIC-120) with the auxiliary heatsink and barrier/fuse accessory kits; good for 1HP and 12A. The motor is only 5.8A and .40HP so there's lots of margin in the system. At some point I may upgrade to a shunt wound motor from the brushed permanent magnet unit.

The control was purchased from Canadian Drives Inc. who gave great advice.

finish it

Some interesting experiments in surface finishing this weekend. I had picked up some gun bluing from the local "outdoor" store. I treated some small steel blocks and they turned out fairly well, if a little "splotchy" in places. I felt that it was possible to achieve a higher finish quality.

I asked some local experts and, as expected, received varying advice. Procedures for cold bluing differ due to personal preference and chemical composition of the bluing itself. There are some blues which are simply not available in Canada due to import restrictions or other Customs complications.

The basic premise is to provide a finish that resists corrosion. Old-school techniques like heating the steel to a certain colour and plunging the workpiece into a bath of motor oil are fine if you have a proper place to do that kind of work.

I did manage to achieve an "oily water" finish that is interesting if not wholly intentional. Initial research into the various processes opens up a fascinating range of possibilities for future projects. It's certainly a non-trivial subject.

great accessory

A 4" tilting rotary table, available from Busy Bee Tools. I was lucky enough to receive one of these as a gift. Though small, it will prove a capable addition to the Taig mill. 

Model Engineers Workshop  issue #111 has an article on generating ball handles using a rotary table and boring head on the mill. The tilt feature of this table will save having to angle the milling head itself.

adding to the tool chest(s)

Actually made it to the Tools of the Trades show. 

In the course of wandering around the aisles, I managed to pick up:

- a Mitutoyo 10” vernier height gauge (needs a replacement carbide wedge)

- what appears to be a century old, single bevel broad axe head (a new handle will be a challenge)

- a beefy 1” corner chisel with a newly (and nicely) fitted handle

- four decent quality moulding planes from different manufacturers marked 6,8,12 and 14.

The 6 and 8 will be modified and matched as a pair (8s), and the 12 and 14 likewise (12s).

Fortuitously, I met up with local moulding plane aficionado Nigel and had yet another great chat about plane refurbishing and use. Nigel and I hit it off during a chance meeting at a tool-buying locale last Spring. His comfy workshop is liberally populated with cool planes he's both made and repaired.

Larry Darbyson from Grandpa’s Treasure Chest was present with his usual selection of good tools at fair prices. Overall, I don't recall ever seeing so many metal planes in the Stanley/Bailey style in one place. Although I really didn't need it, I'm now kicking myself for not picking up the 608 that was sitting under a table mid-room.

I also ran into classmate Rob, a keen hand-tool user I met while attendeding some of Steve DerGarabedian's workshops at Lee Valley Tools.

In general, there was a wide selection of both wood working and metal working tools (mostly measuring and marking devices in the latter case). Prices (as always) varied over a wide range, from reasonable to ridiculous. 

Some specialty wood offerings were available for turners and furniture makers. In contrast to previous events in the same venue, lighting was excellent so there was no need for a flashlight just to look into bins and on shelves.

A must-attend event.