Leaford, QC concern.

[sawlight]

I did this for thirteen years. I was an inspector for one, mold builder, built custom automated machinery, made more airplane parts than I care to remember and when I walked away I was pigeonholed into running titanium on 5-axis CNC mills. I hate machining titanium! And I was tired of 60 plus hour weeks in windowless dungeons!

 

[Pawpaw]

Impressive, to say the least!

Airplane parts. I would assume then that you are in or near Wichita. I used to travel there a lot. I like both Wichita and Topeka.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you do now?

 

[sawlight]

Correct, just outside of Wichita.

I am more or less a bum right now, I was laid off from a maintiance position (I worked 4am-12pm, on call 24/7, so it wan't much of an improment!) since Sept. a year ago. You can't buy a job right now! I do handyman work, carpentry remodles etc., tree work, dirt work and sell firewood. Basicly, if it pays, I am interested!

 

[Pawpaw]

Oh man, I wish there was some way I could help.

I was soooo close to walking away from my own job a few months ago. Constant travel, stupid people dropping the ball until I was constantly being handed a bucket if shizz.

Add to that, I needed to be home taking care of my parents. Lucky for me, management responded to my plight and moved me to a (mostly) desk job.

It wasn't until after the change that I realized exactly how much stress I was under. If something hadn't changed, I believe I might be dead right now.

I feel for you, brother. I really do.

 

[sawlight]

It's alright, I'm a survivor, that's what I seem to do best My wife has a good job and an MBA so we just tighten the belt a little more each month that I can't come up with something. I usually can stay pretty busy in the summer with odd jobs, I've got access to some AWESOME equipment, full bore CNC machine shops, that I can make anything I need, Bobcat skid steer if I need to do some heavy work removing driveways and pour a new one. And usually firewood is good to me in the winter. This isn't the first layoff we've lived through, but certainly the tightest! Nobody has money, and nobody wants to spend money right now, but we will be alright, I'm just holding out for warmer weather!

 

[Taryn]

With access to all that great equipment and the knowledge of machining you have, have you ever thought about building custom ecigs like some do around here? Lots of information on the DIY forums.

 

[sawlight]

It's the same problem I run into with flashlights, another of my bad habits, I can make the housing out of anything, and make it pretty, but PCB electronics really don't seem to like me! I can fix the wiring in your car, I can wire a house, but getting down to the small electronics, I'm just not good at it! That kind of kills the deal!

 

[Pawpaw]

Not really. For a battery mod, you don't need electronics. They're just a battery holder with a switch and an e-cig connector. A couple of wires and you're done.

 

[leaford]

Saw, I'm really sorry you're having employment problems. I wish there was a way I could help, especially with what a big help you've been today. If there ever is anything we can do for you, just say the word.

 

[sawlight]

I'll look into it after the Holiday's, this week and next I've had my 4yo as pre-school is closed, and I hoped to get in and make an electronicless version of my mod idea (with the 10440 battery) to send to Steve and crew for their thoughts.

 

[sawlight]

Saw, I'm really sorry you're having employment problems. I wish there was a way I could help, especially with what a big help you've been today. If there ever is anything we can do for you, just say the word.

Really, it's alright Leaford, I'm finally set up good, just waiting for the economy to pick up a little and strike out on my own as diversly as I can so I don't get bored and can stay busy.
I enjoy helping people, it gives me "purpose", so this was fun for me! Like I said, don't be afraid to ask any machining questions you have, I'll be happy to help any way I can! This company has been more than kind to me, it's the least I can do!

 

[leaford]

Thanks again Saw, and as soon as I get myself a digital caliper, I just might be asking you for a video on how to use it.

 

[sawlight]

That we can do! I highly recomend the Mitutoyo with the absolute zero setting. What I have, you don't have to re-zero it every time you turn it on, and you can switch back and forth from zero to ABS with the push of a button! Like when I measured the depth of the slot, I measured down to the top of the pin, hit zero, then measured down to the bottom of the slot. When I was done, I hit the zero button again and it was back to normal!
They are a bit pricey, but I promise, you get every pennies worth!

 

[sawlight]

Well, I hope I got all the bad batch! I'm now up to twelve of these Leaford! If you want I can send them to Steve and Mark for confirmation.

 

[leaford]

That we can do! I highly recomend the Mitutoyo with the absolute zero setting. What I have, you don't have to re-zero it every time you turn it on, and you can switch back and forth from zero to ABS with the push of a button! Like when I measured the depth of the slot, I measured down to the top of the pin, hit zero, then measured down to the bottom of the slot. When I was done, I hit the zero button again and it was back to normal!
They are a bit pricey, but I promise, you get every pennies worth!

The question is if I can find it in Shenzhen. Can you send me a link?

Well, I hope I got all the bad batch! I'm now up to twelve of these Leaford! If you want I can send them to Steve and Mark for confirmation.

Not necessary. If you could send them here, that would be different, but Steve and Mark don't need them.

BTW, they're all parliament, right?

 

[sawlight]

Google shopping link:

MITUTOYO 500-196-20 Digi MyCal 0-6 Micrometer w/ABS

Yes, everyone is Parlament.

 

[leaford]

Thanks once again, Saw. I will have our engineers try to find me a source for that here. And try to get them to get one, too.

 

[Davo]

Great Post and threads, I find this so interesting (i like to tinker). Excuse my ignorance, but we are talking about the depth of the groove in the center conductor of the cart, right (where the date stamp is)? If so, I'd like to know your method of measuring that depth with the digital caliper; did you have to cut off the threads to get access to that area? Or, do you place an object in there at the upper and and lower levels, measure and find the difference? (sorry, I'm not a machinest, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express (LMAO)).

 

[sawlight]

I measured from the top of the threads, the "cup" for lack of proper terminoligy, down to the flat in the center the "pin", then zeroed. Then I placed the slide into the groove and measured from the top of the threads again. This gave me a negative number which is the depth it's cut at.

 

[sawlight]

Thanks once again, Saw. I will have our engineers try to find me a source for that here. And try to get them to get one, too.

The calipers in the pics are Mititoyo, so it shouldn't be hard to find a set of the digitals.