Inside Doc's Machine Shop

[DocsMachine]

I hate being this backed up. I can't seem to get anything done...

I was only able to steal a bare few minutes yesterday to play with this, but I was able to program the part, prove the tools (then move them and re-prove, to make room for the rest of them) and get a couple of test parts cut.

One trick I came up with: In order to "cut air", I don't re-set the zeroes off to the side, I simply leave the workpiece out. But, I don't like running it with the collet not clamped- it probably doesn't hurt anything, but I worry that something might rattle around in there.

So I've been collecting little quicky-turned bits like this, as low-profile plugs for the collets to clamp on to:



I've made a couple different sizes now, and there's just enough of a "knob" to grab onto, but generally won't interfere with any of the tools:



After that I was able to run a part, tweak the tool offsets lightly, adjust a few settings, and run a couple more...



That got me the first part of the profile, as well as the drill for the front screw hole...



But that's as far as I was able to get this afternoon. Spent a little too much time on it as it was, and I'll be lucky if I can spend any more at all on it for the next couple of days.

I also got my tap holders in today, and that may be a bit of fun, trying to figure out how to program it before I run out of taps.

This machine has no G84 tapping cycle- I'll have to manually program it. It should be fairly straightforward- the spring-loaded tap holder should account for any inaccuracy in the process- but I can also see a couple breaks before I get it dialed in.

In the video that helped convince me to buy this machine, you can see the tapping retract step actually pulls the part slightly out of the collet. (Then again, he's got a later video of making the same thing in clear lexan, using the same tools, and it doesn't appear to do that.)

I might try talking to the factory, see what they recommend for programming a tapping cycle... I'm probably overthinking it, but it can't hurt to have the waterfowl in a linear organization before I try it.

Doc.

[DocsMachine]

One of today's little jobs... Not a paintball part, but still one of the things I need to check off my all-too-crowded to-do lists.



Local customer wants an odd little threaded coupler in steel. It's a bit delicate for the Springer, but she's great at peeling off a bunch of meat first. (For those not familiar with my shop, I rebuilt this machine from the ground up a number of years ago. Every bit of 10 HP and close to six thousand pounds. She's a fun beast to run.)

Oh, and if I ever write an exercise book, one of the major workouts will be drilling multiple steps with a two hundred and fifty pound tailstock.

Doc.

[DocsMachine]

One little tidbit from the last couple of days:



I had run low on assembled and polished 'Cocker detents, so I took a few minutes and put together a couple dozen more. I still need to do the laborious part and run them through the buffer- in the summertime I do that outside, since I don't like throwing buffing gunk into the air in here, but I'll need to do at least a few to make sure I have some on immediate hand.

Doc.

[DocsMachine]

Another basket O' goodies.



And we're just gettin' started!

Doc.

[DocsMachine]

Anybody seen my chip-hook?



And, while I've only been able to get at them a few minutes here and there, it all adds up...



Doc.

[DocsMachine]

Just 'cause you haven't heard from me in a while, doesn't mean I've been sitting on my thumbs.



I wish the overall progress could be faster, but holy crap do I have a lot of stuff on my plates right now.

Doc.

[superman]

Is this like 45 years worth of fast changers?

[Cal440]

That is some serious numbers there Doc,I'm sure they will find new homes, mine included. Really like your in shop pictures!

[DocsMachine]

Is this like 45 years worth of fast changers?

-I genuinely wish I knew.

The thing is, back when I'd make batches of parts on the manual machines, I might make one or two dozen. Making thirty of something was a big run. And, depending on what it was, sometimes it would sell out immediately, sometimes it would hardly sell at all, and most times it'd sell some, and the rest would take a year to trickle out the door.

Since I got the CNCs more or less up to speed, it's become a question of how many do I make, since it's somewhat easier to make parts in bulk, versus how many do I think will sell. Just because it's easier to make larger numbers, doesn't mean there's a demand for them. I mean, I could make a hundred Freak barrels for the old Greenwell 'Blade', but of course that doesn't mean those would actually sell.

And over the years, I've already made literally tens of thousands of parts that either never sold or never sold very many. A brilliant businessman I ain't.

This is a case where, I had the machine set up and the local supplier had plenty of the material, so I decided to make a multi-year supply. How many years? No idea. I could see these selling out in two years, or I could see 90% of them getting scrapped at my inevitable and almost-certainly epic estate sale.

Only time will tell.

Doc.

[superman]

I hope they sell out when your done. lol
Glad you have been posting content btw. I am hoping to do the same once i get rolling.

[DocsMachine]

And the other half of our little toy!



Since I was doing this in two operations- the original parts are done in one- I could make a nice improvement over the factory pieces: drilling them mostly hollow, which reduces the weight by about a third.

No, it's not a huge difference in a typical brass gun, but if nothing else, it makes the part a little more unique.



I have a lot of stuff to try and get done this weekend, but with a little luck I can sneak in an hour or two here and there to feed a few more of these through- and with a little more luck, I should be able to send the bulk of these off to anno early next week.

Doc.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Could you run some in brass for bling or is it to soft? I think the one I have is made out of steel.

[JeeperCreeper]

I believe that little bit of weight savings might help balance it out better, especially on longer pistol builds

[JeeperCreeper]

I'll definitely need some of those

[Sdawg]

This thread is super cool and I am totally buying a fast changer when it is available.

[DocsMachine]

Could you run some in brass for bling or is it to soft? I think the one I have is made out of steel.

-You know, I never even thought of that....

I know my local supplier doesn't keep much brass in stock, so I'd have to order some. Certainly not impossible, but I hadn't planned on it. I could, however, have a handful of them anodized in gold or brass color, which would be easier and of course lighter...

I'd have to look into the cost- I get a decent price on the black, since the shop is always running that, and I get a bulk discount. Doing another color comes at an additional cost.

Doc.

[netsurferdude2]

Doc are you using a multi start thread on the fast changers or just a single start? They look awesome.

[DocsMachine]

Same quad-lead thread as the originals. These will be direct replacements- you'll be able to use my knobs with the old collars, my collars with the old knobs, etc.

Doc.

[Axel]

Aaaaaccckkkkk! Do I even have a gun that needs one? but I'll probably buy two just to have in the bin. At least one

[NONOBLITUS]

Getting in line now. Looking good

[Funsi00]

Looking forward to completion! Filling the demand on a niche item. Thanks Doc!