Further news about my shop shutdown

tryppyr

tryppyr

Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Messages
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Yesterday I disassembled my grinder. I did it for a couple of reasons. First, I'm currently in a shutdown phase, while awaiting resolution to my work change situation. But just as importantly, I was starting to have troubles with the grinder. I would characterize those troubles as being indicative of impending motor failure due to bearing breakdown. Anyway, I also felt it was time I addressed the problem I have long had with the frame alignment on the grinder... essentially requiring me to rebuild it completely.

So anyway, I removed and disposed of the old HF 1HP farm motor. If/when I rebuild it I will definitely be looking for something better... so now it's time to troll Craigslist for TEFC motors with VFDs.

- Greg
 
This will provide you a good opportunity to optimize your machine, variable speed will greatly improve the performance and capability of the grinder. Once I installed a variable speed DC controlled motor to my Wilton I would never go back to a single speed again. I did this back in around the late 1980's and while I have not been making knives for a few years my shop is still there should I return to knife making. Right now this is not possible with the bone loss in my spine.
 
For what it may be worth look for a 1 1/2 HP variable speed motor over a 1 HP the bigger motor will give more power at lower rpm I have the BK 960-272 with 1 1/2 variable speed motor option and use it at lower speeds call the time and just love it. Good luck with this.
 
But there is something to be said for a 1HP that you can take to your mother-in-law's house and sharpen all her kitchen knives for her while she watches. Mega karma points to be had. The VFD really helps in sharpening.
 
Sometimes that little bit of time you take to fix an equipment problem you've been putting up with for years leads to a big sigh of relief and makes a huge difference in the quality of your experience... I think you'll thank yourself in the end but wonder why it took you so long.
 
Excellent question, Salem... why did it take me so long?

Well, I'm a "make do" kinda guy, for the most part. If I can make do with what i have it is hard to justify incurring an expense to address the underlying problem.

But in this case, with the motor failing, I was put into a position where the choice to actually resolve the problem was easier.

Alas, my world is once again being turned over. I was advised last week that the job I was promised in Houston is real again, so now I have gone back into planning the move. So it looks like it will be quite a while before I can get the shop reassembled and running again. Happily, I'm too busy with other things to notice the giant hole in my life.
 
Well, I'm glad that all the uncertainty was ultimately for a reason. It looks like I as well will be moving my shop within a few weeks, moving to a new place in the same area. We're buying, not renting anymore, so that's great, but man my shop is gonna be a PAIN to move!
Hope all goes well with you, going forward.
 
Thanks. Same with you. I would offer to help you move, but the last thing you want is an overconfident weak ass 55 year old fart hurting himself on your property. ;)
 
Despite the fact that my shop is shut down, I decided I wanted to give one of my knives to an office buddy. Problem was it wasn't really ready for gifting. It was dull as a butter knife and it had no sheath. The other problem was I had already packed up all my supplies and tools and shuttled them off to the storage unit.

It took about an hour of digging in the storage unit, but I finally found the box containing the waterstones and the other box containing the sheath leather. Luckily. I didn't have to go looking for the leather dyes and edge coat.

So over the weekend I spent the time needed to put a real edge on the blade (all the way to 8000 grit), and then whipped together a quick sheath. It's not all that remarkable, but at least it is complete and ready for giving.

Gift1.jpg


Gift2.jpg
 
I know the frustrating feeling.
You're a knife maker and you want to make beautifull stuff.
One way or the other and slowly if it has to be like that you'll be making stuff.
Must have felt good!
 
When you get down to Houston let us know. There are a big bunch of knifemakers around, and we're generally a friendly bunch.
 
Will do. It's looking like March/April is when we first arrive... it will be a few months after that before we're really settled. Looking forward to meeting some folks.
 
Hmm... just noticed I forgot to update this thread.

We sold our house last month after only 6 days on the market. Closing occurs next week, and we'll be on the road to Houston on the 18th, with our arrival in town expected on the 25th.

For the first three months in Houston we will be in a furnished apartment while we shop for a new home. One of the criteria for the new home is a suitable shop area for my knifemaking.

With luck. my shop should be back online by late summer. One thing I need to locate in Houston is someone who can weld together the vertical plate and the base plate for my GiB grinder. I don't want to have to cope with the misalignment of those plates any more.
 
Good luck with your move, I'm in the Houston area. I can weld, but it may not be the prettiest beads, lol. Let me know...I'm New to knife making so I'd love to meet some other folks that are into it.
 
I think the best values in the Houston area for housing are still in the Katy area, but that may not work for you with respect to your work location. When you get to town let me know.
 
Good luck and congrats on the move. Our house in Denver was on the market for an agonizing 18 months before it sold. Good old 2011 housing slump...... Glad yours sold quickly...

-Eric
 
My wife and I arrived right on schedule on the 25th. We moved into the apartment on the 26th (though not without some hassles). As a "welcome to Houston" gesture, the apartment air conditioner was not working, so we put in an "emergency" repair order. 5 hours later the on-call service guy came out and fixed it.

Today my wife begins looking for a new place to live. I'd love to be able to join her, but there is work to be done. Our agreement is that she'll tour some homes and if there are any she particularly likes I'll go with her on a second viewing and help choose the best from her list. Looks now like we will be north and just a bit east of Katy. Though the values may not be as good in that area as they are in Katy, we are interested in established neighborhood with wooded lots, so we were never really going to be able to get the best value anyway.

Anyhow, the long slog to Houston is done... now we just need to get settled in.

I have to say, Houston drivers are just as bad (perhaps worse) than I remember them being. Rude, reckless, stupidly confident of their abilities, and always in a hurry to get nowhere. Just about the worst drivers I've ever encountered, frankly.
 
Well, I didn't spend much time driving in Oregon... but I did drive there for vacations several times. Twice down the coast highway, and several times on I-5 and the adjoining state roads. Oregonians have nothing on Houstonians when it comes to rudeness and ineptitude.
 
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