computer had a hard time loading those images. I can't imagine what is involved in moving that monstrosity into your shop. Are you going to have to move Morry's solar panels to get it into the shop? You obviously have too much spare time and/or a serious machinery addiction.
Just exactly what is this thing? How is it different from the machine you have now? How much work are you looking at here. I notice a couple serious rust patches on it. And most importantly, what kind of projects can you do on this?
Also, what kind of deal did you get on this? Nobody buys a big chunk of rusting machinery like this without getting some kind of killer deal. How would this price compare to a new machine? I hoipe that this machine will not get the best of you.
Details man, details!!
I should point out, though I never acquired any big pieces of rusting iron like this, I did equip my first shop with smaller pieces of rusting iron. I spent a lot of time cleaning rust, replacing bearings, etc. I have done this sort of thing before, just not on this scale. I pretty much have it out of my system by now. I am experienceing a small bit of nostalgia/tool envy right now though.
I will have to erect a tent for this thing as I cannot accommodate it at my shop. It is currently almost directly across the road from me.
It is a SCM, about mid 1980's. The Gould servos are a lot newer than that. The Perske spindle alone is worth salvaging the unit for.
3 axis CNC milling machine/router. A lot of the rust is in the coolant system, including the catch basin and stuff. The linear bearing shafts/rails need a severe overhaul. The vacuum lines have all cracked due to exposure to UV as this thing has been sitting outside for a few years.
It won't get the best of me. I don't care if the damn thing ever runs. If it does, great. If not, I'll be more qualified to make a judgment when I go looking for a more pristine unit which might cost me some real money. All the good stuff never got wet. It is a no-loss proposition. Scrap metal has some value. right?
AS I gather more info, I will share. There is a banker's box with documents, manuals, maintenance records somewhere....and...software. En Route, I think he said.
For now, I am treating this as a first date. I'm not sure if I want to get married to this thing yet. First we move it.
I know the feeling, I purchased a huge drill press several years ago and have had it in storage at a friends ever since, I don't have anyplace with a ceiling high enough.
here's another pic. The Move. LOL..We'll be raising a few pints and I will be driving the Yard Forklift.
Projected path:
formatting link
path, eh?
I assume that the little jog into the restuarant parking lot is for a cup of coffee. LOL
Also, if you get this thing up and running, will it warrant an upgrade from a tent? It seems it needs a little better environment than that for the protection and care of the stock that will be put on the machine.
Well, the building from whence it cometh was/is big enough...BUT. That means I have to get off me arse and start flogging employees in large numbers in order to raise enough money to pay either the rent or the mortgage, not to mention heating that place. That is not in the plan. BTDT. Having fun, in a relaxing way, is in the plan. Yet, a hobby should ultimately pay for itself... ideally. I always wanted to restore something mechanically challenging. I think I found a challenge..*S*
A man wiser than me once advised me to not ever do anything that did not have the potential to make money. I spent most of my life ignoring this advice, but I am beginning to see the light. SWMBO on the other hand...
And, the line is squiggley because you needed to have a few pints *before* you could get the courage to make the move yourself.
Reminds me of when I worked my first job at a silk screening company. There was a massive one ton safe in the warehouse they want to get rid of and so I offered to take it off their hands. One evening when me and a few of my buddies were out having a few brews, the bright idea occurred to me to get my buddies to help me move it to my place since it was just around the corner. We used the fork life to drop in it the back of a buddy's pickup and headed to my place. Of course with no forklift around all we could do as to try and tip it off the back of his pickup. As soon as the safe hit the tailgate, it dropped like a stone, ripping the tailgate right off the truck and then the safe proceeded to tip over on its side. Of course, it was too heavy to budge after that so it sat there for the next four years until I decided to call a wrecker to come and take it away.
All in all, I guess we should have considered ourselves lucky. Aside from the $700 it cost me to replace my buddy's tailgate, nobody got crushed, (except for the tailgate).
UPON further investigation, greasing the palm of a CNC service mechanic and a metric assload of phone calls, e-mails, the tally in what is required will run in the neighbourhood (north) of $20K. Half that in a complete rebuild of a whole cabinet full of air/electric logic. a whole whack of limit switches, a tool-changer rebuild, A lot of the pleated accordion-style linear-bearing covers are toast, and at $800.00 a pop x 4...naaaaaa Robbie loves a challenge but he ain't crazy. OR, as a wise man once said: "never eat anything bigger than your head." =============================================
UPON further investigation, greasing the palm of a CNC service mechanic and a metric assload of phone calls, e-mails, the tally in what is required will run in the neighbourhood (north) of $20K. Half that in a complete rebuild of a whole cabinet full of air/electric logic. a whole whack of limit switches, a tool-changer rebuild, A lot of the pleated accordion-style linear-bearing covers are toast, and at $800.00 a pop x 4...naaaaaa Robbie loves a challenge but he ain't crazy. OR, as a wise man once said: "never eat anything bigger than your head."
I got high on the prospect of it all for a week or so..for free.
mechanic and a metric assload of phone calls, e-mails, the tally in what is required will run in the neighbourhood (north) of $20K. =================================== What's the price of scrap these days?
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