Re: Well, it's been a while

[Bob La Londe <none@none.com99>]

On 8/2/2023 7:03 PM, Jim Davis wrote:
> On Friday, July 28, 2023 at 3:48:54â?¯PM UTC-4, Bob La Londe wrote:
>> On 7/26/2023 2:47 PM, ABLE1 wrote:
>>> On 7/26/2023 3:35 PM, Jim Davis wrote:
>>>> On Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 1:09:04â?¯PM UTC-4, Bob La Londe wrote:
>>>>> On 7/26/2023 9:07 AM, ABLE1 wrote:
>>>>>> On 7/25/2023 2:32 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
>>>>>>> On 7/25/2023 7:43 AM, ABLE1 wrote:
>>>>>>>> On 7/19/2023 8:52 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
>>>>>>>>> On 7/19/2023 4:56 PM, ABLE1 wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> On 7/19/2023 12:18 AM, Jim Davis wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> Wow! Can't believe I haven't looked in on ASA for about a month.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Been REEEEEELY busy. All kinds of upgrades, and new special jobs
>>>>>>>>>>> and trying out a different aspect of CCTV
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm doing all the Ethernet and telephone wire runs in a a ten
>>>>>>>>>>> office business. Existing customer is opening a new branch.
>>>>>>>>>>> Running all the thermostat wires for a customer that want's to
>>>>>>>>>>> upgrade from the old mercury thermostats to the Ecobee
>>>>>>>>>>> programmable remote access units. Laying wires for outdoor
>>>>>>>>>>> speakers around pool and cabana for Sonos sound system. Doing
>>>>>>>>>>> upgrades to Napco Starlink Connect remote access.
>>>>>>>>>>> ,
>>>>>>>>>>> Did and Access control install for one office door. And lots of
>>>>>>>>>>> little piddley service calls. Little busier than I like it but
>>>>>>>>>>> can't I guess that's a good complaint.
>>>>>>>>>>> .
>>>>>>>>>>> I don't have many commercial accounts left but one of the one's I
>>>>>>>>>>> have has CCTV cameras on outside of building and sure nuff I had
>>>>>>>>>>> to get up on a freakin 20 foot ladder and change the camera. I
>>>>>>>>>>> wonder if a parachute would open in that short a distance?  Or, I
>>>>>>>>>>> was thinking that if I got a bucket of cement and put a rope tied
>>>>>>>>>>> around me through a pulley attached to the roof of the building,
>>>>>>>>>>> If I fell, it would let me down easy. But I calculated that the
>>>>>>>>>>> cost of that much cement was too much ^ v ^
>>>>>>>>>>> .
>>>>>>>>>>> Hey Les, what are you doing with all your spare time now?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hey Jim,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Well I will have to say that every day is a Saturday!!
>>>>>>>>>> Although my daily work load is nothing like yours..............
>>>>>>>>>> I must say that you need to find a way to slow down........ a bit!!
>>>>>>>>>> :-)
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> My biggest frustration is that my phone won't stop ringing with
>>>>>>>>>> calls
>>>>>>>>>> from previous customers.  Wanting help with this and that!!!  Or to
>>>>>>>>>> complain that I should have forewarned them that I was quitting the
>>>>>>>>>> business!!  Or that the new guys don't answer or return their
>>>>>>>>>> calls.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> So other than all that stuff, I have managed to get my 92' Honda
>>>>>>>>>> Goldwing out of my garage, removed the OLD gas, loaded new, and it
>>>>>>>>>> started up and runs great after I creatively fixed a gas leak from
>>>>>>>>>> the carburetor.  It hasn't be running for maybe 11 years or so.
>>>>>>>>>> Now I am in negotiations to either convert it into a Trike or
>>>>>>>>>> trade it
>>>>>>>>>> in on a Trike.  I should have a plan by the end of this week.  I
>>>>>>>>>> would like to take a few road trips just to enjoy the freedom of
>>>>>>>>>> the ride.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Other than that I have been fixing up things around the house
>>>>>>>>>> that I
>>>>>>>>>> have been putting off because I was too busy with business.
>>>>>>>>>> N-O-W I
>>>>>>>>>> can spend the time doing those Saturday jobs on any day of the
>>>>>>>>>> week!!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Then there is the..........................................
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> BTW I need to ask!! Hey Bob, what is your local temperature and
>>>>>>>>>> is it
>>>>>>>>>> too much??  I hope you have your shop with a cooling device that
>>>>>>>>>> runs!!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Later all,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Les
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Get it converted if you aren't comfortable on two anymore.  I have
>>>>>>>>> had the chance to ride side hacks and trikes.  Both have their
>>>>>>>>> headaches. Both beat not riding.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I don't really like the heavy weight tourers anymore.  I feel like
>>>>>>>>> they have gotten so much heavier.  I finally sold the '03 Roadglide
>>>>>>>>> (my wife's bike) to a cousin a couple years ago, but its 880ish
>>>>>>>>> pound curb weight is a freaking lot.  I seem to recall my old '97
>>>>>>>>> FLHT (was only in the 660-700 range.  Maybe its just remembering how
>>>>>>>>> much stronger I used to be.  LOL.  I don't remember any of my
>>>>>>>>> Goldwings being that heavy either.  (75 GL1000 x 2 and 84 GL1200).
>>>>>>>>> I would mind scoring another old (75 or 76) GL1000, but I probably
>>>>>>>>> wouldn't ride it much.  I tried to keep riding after my wreck,
>>>>>>>>> but... I get antsy after about 30-40 minutes and can't wait to get
>>>>>>>>> it back in the garage. Doesn't stop until the kick stand is down and
>>>>>>>>> it rocks over. I don't have anything with even remotely current tags
>>>>>>>>> now.  I think the Vulcan Mean Streak was last tagged in 2015.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Well Bob, I have (frustratingly) made a decision on my Honda Goldwing
>>>>>>>> and Suzuki GS550.  I have sold them to a local shop.  The decision
>>>>>>>> was a
>>>>>>>> bit challenging but the final deal will happen today and the bikes
>>>>>>>> will be picked up and gone!!  Goldwing left yesterday and Suzuki will
>>>>>>>> leave tomorrow.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> There are a lot of personal issues that molded the final decision.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I hope somebody's will enjoy their future rides with fun and
>>>>>>>> enjoyment!!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Les
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've been looking at Silverwings (Real ones.  Not scooters) on-line
>>>>>>> lately.  I had the father of the Silver wing at one time.  The CX500.
>>>>>>> There are a few GL500s within reasonable driving distance, but I don't
>>>>>>> see any of the 650.  I'm not going to buy one, but I always wanted one
>>>>>>> before I got into Harleys.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Maybe you should look at one of those VW rail trikes if you can find
>>>>>>> one at a reasonable price.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well I gots meself a new plan in the works for future considerations.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I dug my '77 Suzuki GS550 out of the garage.  I had to re-inflate the
>>>>>> tires since they were very flat, on the 'bottom'.  It has not run since
>>>>>> 2004 or 2005.  I cleaned out the old gas, as much as I could out of the
>>>>>> tank.  I then put about 1/2 gallon of fresh in the tank.  I removed the
>>>>>> battery and added some Distilled Water and placed on my charger.
>>>>>> Charged it for 24 hours.  Checked the voltage and it held at 12.4vdc
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> a while.  Re-installed the battery.  Placed the choke to full on,
>>>>>> cranked the throttle a couple of times and turned on the key.  Lights
>>>>>> came on, in neutral, pressed the start button it turned over and within
>>>>>> 20 seconds it coughed and sputtered and then started.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> WOW!!!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Not sure at this point but I think I am going to work on a different
>>>>>> plan for the future.  :-)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Later,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Les
>>>>>>
>>>>> Oh, yeah, about the heat... Its been over 110 every single day for
>>>>> about 3 weeks now. I tried to work outside on an old boat a couple
>>>>> days, but even under a popup shade it was pretty miserable. My wife
>>>>> said it was 118 yesterday. Walking out to the mail box for my latest
>>>>> prize scored off ebay has been a real chore. Not worth it for the bills
>>>>> and junk mail.
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't know exactly what is going on in the back shop. For some reason
>>>>> its not as hot as I remember it in past years with similar outside
>>>>> temperatures. The office and little machine room are air conditioned,
>>>>> but the back shop where the big lathe and big mills are is not. Oh, its
>>>>> hot back there, but not as stifflingly miserable as I recall.
>>>>>
>>>>> Tomorrow is my day off, so I'm going to try and fit a new sole out of a
>>>>> sheet of aluminum into "Another Boat Project That May Never Get
>>>>> Finished" in the morning, and work on a machine in the shop in the
>>>>> afternoon.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have not yet decided which which machine. You guys can vote on which
>>>>> one if you like. I may ignore you like a true politician, but you can
>>>>> vote anyway.
>>>>>
>>>>> 1. I've got a 3 phase Taiwanese turret lathe I'd like to get running.
>>>>> Phase converter (VFD), dirt, and some new cover panels. This one may be
>>>>> the easiest to get into running trim. Its also settign on dollies and
>>>>> its small enough I could roll it inside the little machine room where
>>>>> its cooler to work on... after I sweep a path through the chips.
>>>>>
>>>>> 2. Hurco KMB1 with a catastrophic ball screw failure. Went from .001
>>>>> baklash to .030-.040 backlash in the middle of a job. This would
>>>>> probably be the most profitable to fix.
>>>>>
>>>>> 3. CNC bridge mill/router build... this one will be the most work
>>>>> since have barely started on it. Its also likely to be the most fun (in
>>>>> the end) since I plan to use it for mostly odd projects like license
>>>>> plate plaques (for states that only require one plate in the back)
>>>>> awards plaques, machined labels for stuff in the shop Looks cooler than
>>>>> it sounds), signs and other things that are not part of my regular
>>>>> product line.
>>>>> --
>>>>> Bob La Londe
>>>>> Proffessional Hack, Hobbyist, Wannabe, Shade Tree, Button Pushing, Not a
>>>>> real machinist
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
>>>>> www.avg.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I vote for # 3
>>>> At this point FUN is more important.
>>>
>>> I would have to agree #3!!
>>> Just because!!  :-)
>>>
>>>
>> Well, this is how it went.
>>
>> Mostly I make molds to order. This means I have a lead time of course.
>> Occasionally I'll make an extra. Sometimes it more efficient to make
>> multiples than to make just one. Sometimes I have some extra stock just
>> the right size. Sometimes I just feel like it. Often I will offer
>> those molds on eBay at a higher price for those people who will not wait
>> for my normal lead times. It works. I make occasional sales that way,
>> and it promotes name recognition in my market. Last night a customer
>> contacted me to ask if I would ship right away because they were going
>> out of town in a few days and didn't want porch pirates to have a shot
>> at their package. Yeah, no problem. I printed a label, gathered up
>> some shipping materials only to discover the mold is not on the shelf.
>> I was in the shop instead, so I could get their mold done before the
>> carrier arrived to pick it up. Of course it uses a stainless steel
>> insert rod and I was out of that size rod so I had to run down to the
>> local metal yard to pick up a piece.
>>
>> So much for my day off.
>> --
>> Bob La Londe
>> CNC Molds N Stuff
>
> Hmmm
> So ?
> What wrong with that?
> Just sounds like a regular bloody day --- to me.
> I Make a schedule at the beginning of the week.
> When I look back at my calendar two weeks later, it looks like it chased a fart through a keg of nails. Cross-outs,  arrows, write-in's, erasures, write = overs, RE-write=over's, time changes, telephone numbers. But somehow it all makes sense and the work (most of it) gets done. What doesn't get done that week gets done the next or next or - - - - -
> it's ok though. How else can you tell you're alive and thinking. It's better than sitting on my ass watching re-runs of the Andy Griffith show through drowsy eyes and gaining another pound every day.


Well, I actually took today off.  Sorta.  No big mistakes made me have
to work at my day job anyway.  I slept in... an extra hour.  Screwed
around most of the morning waiting for the other shoe to drop, and
finally headed out to the shop to work on me projects.

ITS TO FREAKING HOT to work outside, and its not much better inside the
main area of the shop.  I've been working on a boat that used to belong
to a friend.  I sat with him a few hours and held his hand the day he
died kind of friend.  I need to get his boat river worthy do do
something that was among his last wishes.  I want to do it for me too
since its my boat now.  Anyway, I was told that the deed is ready to be
done when I am ready to go.  I'm not ready  to go, but I'm working on it.

I'd had enough of burning my hands on my tools every time I picked one
up, so I decided to make some room inside the shop to work on it.  My
shop is full of stuff for/from past, current, and future projects.  One
of those projects was a new winch bumper for my Jeep.  I bought the jeep
in 2017 and I think it was probably early 2018 when I bought the bumper.
  I thought to myself, that a giant box I can get out of the way if I
just get off my tucas and install the damned thing.  I can throw the
stock bumper out back for metal and plastic recycling.  So that's what I
worked on today... after I dragged things around and made room to pull
the Jeep inside the shop.  LOL.

It would be done, but being an after market bumper the bumper mounted
fog lights don't just plug into the wiring harness the way the stock
ones did.  Well, that and while it is better inside the shop than out in
the sun... ITS NOT VERY DAMN MUCH BETTER.

P.S.  The office and the machine room where the main CNC machines are
located is air conditioned so most regular work days I get by just fine.

In any case.  I did actually take the day off today.

Saturday and Sunday are when I get the most paying work done in the shop
most weeks.  Tomorrow I might take the afternoon off and finish that new
bumper install.  Then cruise down to the tackle store and pose the Jeep
with one wheel up on a parking bumper to show off its new bumper.



--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff