Last
year we put out a questionnaire trying to figure out why you follow
us? The majority of our subscribers are here for the obvious: A love
of watches. However, there is a growing group of subscribers who are
fascinated with machining, precision and fine tools. And for them, from
time to time, we include a photo or two to illustrate our journey into
the world of 'making'. Disclaimer: since I am not the one who operates
the machines, I don't take credit for anything you'll see
here – all the credit goes to the kids.
Yesterday’s challenge: To make a tool 'fixture'. Fixtures are
work-holding devices designed to hold, locate and support raw material
or parts during manufacturing operations. There is another special
property of the fixture: it provides a means to reference and alignment
for the cutting tool.
In other words: The quality of your part is directly related to the quality of your fixture. Or, as machinists say: if you want to make a precision part, you need a super precision fixture. Which logically brings us to a challenge: If your part is a fixture, then how do you make a fixture to hold your first fixture?
To cut a long story short, two pieces of steel were individually and separately cut, then a number of holes were drilled and taped. Locating and guiding pins were inserted. Then the moment of truth: The pieces were joined together. "Where is the gap?" asked Josh. No-one replied; it was well past 10pm and he was in the workshop by himself. "I am going to engrave Andrew and Josh on this one" was the first thing he told me after arriving home close to midnight. "In that order?" I’ve asked.
In other words: The quality of your part is directly related to the quality of your fixture. Or, as machinists say: if you want to make a precision part, you need a super precision fixture. Which logically brings us to a challenge: If your part is a fixture, then how do you make a fixture to hold your first fixture?
To cut a long story short, two pieces of steel were individually and separately cut, then a number of holes were drilled and taped. Locating and guiding pins were inserted. Then the moment of truth: The pieces were joined together. "Where is the gap?" asked Josh. No-one replied; it was well past 10pm and he was in the workshop by himself. "I am going to engrave Andrew and Josh on this one" was the first thing he told me after arriving home close to midnight. "In that order?" I’ve asked.
But
he didn't hear me. His thoughts were 17,000 kilometres away. "You know,
we need to call MAXX in Michigan. They make a super precision vice, and
we need one for Kern." "Didn't we just
order one from Lang?” I asked. "Yes, but we need one more!"
And that summed it up. Addiction to tools is no different to any other: you just need - one more.
And that summed it up. Addiction to tools is no different to any other: you just need - one more.
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