I’ve been away from Knots for a few weeks…just so busy that I haven’t gone near the computer. But this weekend I promised myself that I’d post a few new things from my African adventure. Quite a bit of the Taiwanese machinery is working already (in our temporary facility in Israel).
For the machine afficionados out there, here’s a few photos of what’s new and interesting for me:
The planer is 24″ wide, helix type cutterheads, both top and bottom. I’ve been planing sapele with it, and comfortably taking off 1/4″ bites from each face in one pass. Incredible pleasure to use. One ingenious bit of engineering: the bottom cutterhead is impossible to access, and even if you free it from the drive, it weighs more than I do. No way you could lift it out of there. So they put this support arm that swings into position just to load/unload the cutterhead. We immediately named it “the torpedo chute”
The Ripsaw is a beast. The 14″ sawblades run on a 40HP motor. I had to have the power supply for the whole factory upgraded just to handle the “kick” when the ripsaw starts. Underneath the blades is a metal conveyor belt which feeds the boards through. The only thing keeping the blades from catastrophically meeting that conveyor belt is a 1/4″ dip in the belt just as it passes under the blades.
And finally – the “sharpening Station” from Weinig (Germany). This is their simplest model, but should give us the capability of sharpening all our own shaper/molder blades…once we learn to use it, that is.
David Ring
Replies
David,
That's just not right! <G>
Looks like you're having fun over there. Those are some mighty impressive toys ya got there. Are the user manuals as big as the machines?
Hope all is well in Africa. Can't wait to see the final issue of your progress.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Bob,
I admit I'm really enjoying playing with these. There's a lot of hard work and long hours on this project, but I'm getting hands-on experience with stuff that never comes near a home workshop. I'm sorry my dad is no longer around - he would have loved it.
"User manuals"? The Taiwanese are not particularly strong in that category. Fortunately, the factory reps know what they're doing and we have excellent help. (One of the reasons I insisted on setting up in Israel before we move it all to Angola).
regards,
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
Morning here.. David :>)
Love the pics. I believe I had my hands on the sharpener at the IWF show in Atlanta last fall. That's some heavy machinery you posted and one reason I like to go the the Atlanta IWF which is held every other year. You get to see what's available for industry world-wide there an pretty impressive, at least to me.
I saw a machine that looked like an en-closed car wash booth there that's sole purpose was to cut up to 24 foot columns in whatever intricate design you programmed it for. Just enter the program design and the machine knew what to do.
Some of those giant production machines kind of takes the craft out of craftsman-ship but they are designed for production runs. Even though I am not interested in being the man behind one of those monsters, I am still mesmerized by the size of some and their enormous capabilities regardless.
Have fun and enjoy the "red-hot African night-life" in your spare time. Well... on second thought, just get plenty of sleep! ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..
Regards...
Sarge.. john thompson
Early evening here Sarge,
Yes, I admit to being fascinated by big machines, although I agree that they clearly take the craft out of craftsmanship. I've been doing "craftsman" woodworking all my adult life. This project in Africa is an irresistable opportunity to get to know how the other half lives.
The next few months will be dedicated to working out production techniques for the various parts that make up a house. If all goes well we will be assembling the first model house (8000 sq.ft) on the beachfront in Angola by November.
Next year's big challenge - logging, sawmilling and drying our own supplies. For me, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get to know up close the whole process.
regards from the Middle East,David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
Greeting David...
The logging thing to me is as exciting or more so than the machinery. I got involved in WW because of a desire at an early age to do timber-framing. There is no real demand for that other than a small scale anymore as my area is not even close to being rural as it once was. I suppose that's why I agree to build as many work-benches for friends and acquaintances as I have and do. Timber-framing basics on a small scale. ha.. ha...
BTW.. I got a chuckle seeing the 14" saw. It brought memories of the large mobile saw-mills I saw frequently as a kid. Giant circulars the height of a man that went to the trees instead of the trees coming to them. I noticed how well protected the blade was on that saw and it immediately brought those large.. open blades to mind. Things have come a long way in the last 40 years.
Enjoy your ventures my friend as flexibility with current trends the way they are might be the difference between feeding your family or not. Everything you're doing now might be potentially a positive in what your future holds!
Regards...
Sarge.. john thompson
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