Tool Porn

[Drawingablank]

Since many of us are builder types, I figured I'd start this thread for interesting tools / equipment.

Allow me to introduce the Thermotron

heatsealer.jpg

This is a heat sealer for plastics most commonly used to seal those annoying to open clamshell product packaging. This one has been modified with a custom six foot sealing bar for hemming vinyl fabrics.

The black portion is a massive pneumatic press that squeezes the fabric between the bar and the table. It then discharges over 60,000 volts from the bar through the plastic into the table for a few seconds which welds the plastic together.

The Radio Frequency output is amazing. If you put a fluorescent bulb near it (not connected to anything), it will light up whenever the machine is activated.

For safety, activation requires both hands to press the 2 green buttons as it is quite capable of severing fingers.

The large air compressor in the background is used primarily to keep this machine supplied. The electrical supply is 3 phase, 80 amps iirc.

It weighs approximately 4,000 pounds.

[ygmir]

one of my favorite tool/toys:


and sometimes, another toy tips over:

[trilobyte]

Speaking personally, I'm going to go on record as saying that I thin DAB's being a bone head, it's about the project more so than it is about the tool being used. See the Work In Progress thread, I think that space allows appropriate sanctity of tools for their own right, breaking them out as a separate thread is kind of weak IMO.

[Captain Goddammit]

Ygmir... oops! I've come pretty close to flipping boom trucks, always kept them right side up. Wha happen?!

[ygmir]

Ygmir... oops! I've come pretty close to flipping boom trucks, always kept them right side up. Wha happen?!

I didn't flip it!! it rolled away on a hill, and flipped when it hit a stump going sidehill as it rolled.
looked cool though.

and what a process to right it! luckily, I had another M35 with a winch and blocks and pulleys..........

[Captain Goddammit]

OK that makes sense, I saw the boom is down in the rolled-over shots so I was wondering how the hell that happened.

[Jovankat]

Speaking personally, I'm going to go on record as saying that I thin DAB's being a bone head, it's about the project more so than it is about the tool being used. See the Work In Progress thread, I think that space allows appropriate sanctity of tools for their own right, breaking them out as a separate thread is kind of weak IMO.

You're right, this has so much less potential than the thread where we say fuck a lot, or only post three words at a time, or just post videos or gifs.



I don't have a picture of it but I have an unnatural affection for the drop saw at NIMBY.

[ygmir]

I came close a couple of times, wind mostly.
the steel panels are 600 lbs. each.

the truss is 24' across, 8"x16"x22' timbers.

[graidawg]

Speaking personally, I'm going to go on record as saying that I thin DAB's being a bone head, it's about the project more so than it is about the tool being used. See the Work In Progress thread, I think that space allows appropriate sanctity of tools for their own right, breaking them out as a separate thread is kind of weak IMO.

really?

[Popeye]

Projects are important.... if we didn't have projects we wouldn't have anything to do woth our tools.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Captain Goddammit]

I gotta say, I clicked right on this thread when I saw the title.
When I get over to my other garage I might add a shot of my Atlas benchtop lathe.
Sometimes I buy tools I haven't even got a real purpose for. I'll look at all the tool porn everyone posts!

[ygmir]

agreed CGD!
I love tools.
and seeing others tools, too!
I love to learn, play, and use tools.
and others tools, too.
checks thread title for context

my latest:




old, but seems to be working fine. I'd love to get a larger engine though, 14(probably less now) h.p. is too small.

[tatonka]

here is a Amada pressbrake I run , also run spotwelders ,and cnc mills,and program them and punch presses and lasers . I have use of the whole show on my free time.

[media]

[Ratty]

Step aside men. My projects are tiny so my tools are too. Today it's a dapper for making flat things round. (See the porta pottie thread with this years swag.)

[Captain Goddammit]

I must say, your dapper is looking rather dapper

[Drawingablank]

I love all the tools posted so far but that dapper is something I've never seen before.

[Drawingablank]

My latest favorite toy - A PBR can aluminum forge.

forge3.jpg

Experimenting with making swag pendants. This is the trial run:

man2015.jpg

Still need to be cleaned up and drilled for a neck string. I'm hoping to develop a faster method because these take so long I won't be able to make more than a handful.

[ygmir]

what is your heat source, Drawingablank?

[Drawingablank]

It runs on charcoal briquettes, and the fan is an old blow dryer. Takes about 15 briquettes to melt a pot of aluminum.

The time consuming part is hammering the greensand around the master and into the upper ring, then cutting the sprues into the upper ring. It only takes 10 - 15 minutes to melt the aluminum.

[ygmir]

It runs on charcoal briquettes, and the fan is an old blow dryer. Takes about 15 briquettes to melt a pot of aluminum.

The time consuming part is hammering the greensand around the master and into the upper ring, then cutting the sprues into the upper ring. It only takes 10 - 15 minutes to melt the aluminum.

ah ok
I thought it was the melt time.

cool swag, though!

[Ratty]

DAB, I love the whole process and the finished product. It means so much more when you make it. The whole green sand and mold thing is a mystery to me. Really nice swag!!

[Jovankat]

OH! I have an aluminium forge on my to do list once I get a workspace! Awesome. My plan is to do pretty much the same thing with it too.

[Drawingablank]

OH! I have an aluminium forge on my to do list once I get a workspace! Awesome. My plan is to do pretty much the same thing with it too.

Doesn't take much of a workplace although it must be done outdoors. The whole thing would fit into a roughly 14 inch (35 cm.) square box.

[Jovankat]

Our one bedroom 4th floor apartment probably isn't going to cut it We should have a workspace for the camp sorted in the next few weeks though.

[MyDearFriend]

I love tool porn, I will say that, it must be genetic.

I remember a prolonged swoon, touring Ygmir's workshops.

Also swooned, I must admit, at Elorrum's microspace. Gosh.

not to mention Elliot's Barn!!! what a great trip that was...

[Captain Goddammit]

Making Land Yacht part on my little Atlas lathe. That thing is a real problem-solver every now and then.

[media]

[Tin Halo]

I gotta say, I clicked right on this thread when I saw the title. I'll look at all the tool porn everyone posts!

THIS

[Drawingablank]

I love that lathe CG. There is something I find intensely satisfying about using manual machine tools that I don't get from CNC machines.

[ygmir]

I agree, DAB. analog/manual tools and work can be very satisfying.
all my stuff is old....I'm not sure what I'd do with a new tool or machine. I think it's also sort of a challenge, keeping them working and the "tricks" needed to make them do what you want.

Nothing wrong with new stuff, and technology, just saying I like to tinker........

[Drawingablank]

This is probably my favorite tool in my collection although I have never really found much to use it for.

I made it from scratch as it was the final exam when I studied to be a machinist. The entire thing was made from a 20 inch piece of steel bar stock.

clamp.jpg

I really need to clean it up since it has been hanging on my workshop wall for decades. Will have to take some Hoppes #9 and a brass brush to it.