Mechie3
06-09-2014, 12:46 PM
You might have read in my build thread to watch the ZdB facebook page for some exciting (to me at least ;) ) news. For anyone interested in the backstory, here it is. For those that don't care...there's pics at the bottom.
Several times a week for months and months (a year?) I search Craigslist for "lathe" "cnc" and "mill". About 4 weeks ago I hit jackpot. I searched for a different term (bridgeport?) and found a week old ad that didn't show up with any of my standard search terms. The description wasn't very detailed and had no pics. I emailed and got a response a few days later along with some pictures.
A fellow close to me (5 miles away) was selling a 3 axis CNC that had sat in storage for 9 years asking $1500. I imagined super rusty ground to a halt machinery sitting in a wet storage closet worth only it's weight (all 3500lbs) in scrap iron. Turns out, storage meant his front garage. After his son quit drag racing he ended his machine shop business as it only existing to fun the race team. There was surface rust on the exposed ways, but everything underneath and covered by a skirt was still shiny, greasy, and turned over easily by hand with no funny noises or hesitation. The controller is old (maybe I shouldn't say old, it's the same age as me give or take :p ) but I've done my research and found ways to bypass the manual inputs and, as a last resort, put in new electronics for ~$1000. When I got to his house he also had a 5 position turret lathe for $650. His front garage was crammed full like a pack rat. I was pretty sure I wanted it, but needed time.
After showing me the tools he said "come on, I want to show you something". He took me to the back garage and I knew I wanted the machines. There sat a tube frame Willy's in a deep royal blue that was imaculate. Up front sat a monster engine with a massive intake strapped to the top. The craftmanship was top notch, the garage was clean and organized. It was clear he took care of his stuff and the machines only looked old due to 9 years of condensation and dust.
I talked him down to $1800. Actually, I said "my wife told me I could only spend $1800. I didn't mention the part where I said "honey, I need you to tell me I can only spend $1800 so I'm not telling lies". :D I rented a drop deck trailer for $68, bought a come-a-long from harbor freight, and loaded up on straps, roller pipe, and other knick knacks. 10 hours of work later I had both machines in my garage. Of course, I had to spend 5 hours cleaning the garage up and throwing things away to make space, but it's so worth it.
What does this mean?
1: My wife is cooler than your wife. Not quite sure if she is? My wife told me I could have a CNC in the garage. How many CNC's are in your garage? (if you have more than one...well, then your wife is pretty cool too :) ) Winner winner chicken dinner!
2: I can eventually (once I clean it up) make some parts at home. Want a custom logo on the rear of your trans block off plate? Need a 1-off part? Instead of needing to add a middle man (machine shop) and buy a minimum of 10 parts (to kind of keep costs down) I can do things at home. Where before it wasn't feasible to have a shop make 2 or 3 units I can write programs and keep them on the ready to make parts as needed (this is great for me so I won't be sitting on $1000 worth of parts that may or may not sell).
http://i.imgur.com/PuGKwAO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YsF40mU.jpg
Several times a week for months and months (a year?) I search Craigslist for "lathe" "cnc" and "mill". About 4 weeks ago I hit jackpot. I searched for a different term (bridgeport?) and found a week old ad that didn't show up with any of my standard search terms. The description wasn't very detailed and had no pics. I emailed and got a response a few days later along with some pictures.
A fellow close to me (5 miles away) was selling a 3 axis CNC that had sat in storage for 9 years asking $1500. I imagined super rusty ground to a halt machinery sitting in a wet storage closet worth only it's weight (all 3500lbs) in scrap iron. Turns out, storage meant his front garage. After his son quit drag racing he ended his machine shop business as it only existing to fun the race team. There was surface rust on the exposed ways, but everything underneath and covered by a skirt was still shiny, greasy, and turned over easily by hand with no funny noises or hesitation. The controller is old (maybe I shouldn't say old, it's the same age as me give or take :p ) but I've done my research and found ways to bypass the manual inputs and, as a last resort, put in new electronics for ~$1000. When I got to his house he also had a 5 position turret lathe for $650. His front garage was crammed full like a pack rat. I was pretty sure I wanted it, but needed time.
After showing me the tools he said "come on, I want to show you something". He took me to the back garage and I knew I wanted the machines. There sat a tube frame Willy's in a deep royal blue that was imaculate. Up front sat a monster engine with a massive intake strapped to the top. The craftmanship was top notch, the garage was clean and organized. It was clear he took care of his stuff and the machines only looked old due to 9 years of condensation and dust.
I talked him down to $1800. Actually, I said "my wife told me I could only spend $1800. I didn't mention the part where I said "honey, I need you to tell me I can only spend $1800 so I'm not telling lies". :D I rented a drop deck trailer for $68, bought a come-a-long from harbor freight, and loaded up on straps, roller pipe, and other knick knacks. 10 hours of work later I had both machines in my garage. Of course, I had to spend 5 hours cleaning the garage up and throwing things away to make space, but it's so worth it.
What does this mean?
1: My wife is cooler than your wife. Not quite sure if she is? My wife told me I could have a CNC in the garage. How many CNC's are in your garage? (if you have more than one...well, then your wife is pretty cool too :) ) Winner winner chicken dinner!
2: I can eventually (once I clean it up) make some parts at home. Want a custom logo on the rear of your trans block off plate? Need a 1-off part? Instead of needing to add a middle man (machine shop) and buy a minimum of 10 parts (to kind of keep costs down) I can do things at home. Where before it wasn't feasible to have a shop make 2 or 3 units I can write programs and keep them on the ready to make parts as needed (this is great for me so I won't be sitting on $1000 worth of parts that may or may not sell).
http://i.imgur.com/PuGKwAO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YsF40mU.jpg