Hello Steve, in the case of most ironworkers you wouldn't want to use anything too expensive or precise, so I avoid the parallels and 123 or other more precision type machinist tools. On the other hand there are Whitney punches or other machines of a like caliber that do use those sorts of indexing options and are very precise in how they handle hole indexing tasks. I also have transfer punches, as you mentioned, and will see about including a post about their uses. I normally use those when the shapes are not square or rectangular and I have a considerable number of them to do and the parts require a more precise fit to allow for bolt-ups or other applications where it is fairly critical that the alignment of the holes is as nearly right-on as possible. Thanks for the mention of these tools and their uses. Best regards, Allan
Again, great stuff Allan! Man, I wish I lived close by your school. I would be sure to enroll!!!!!! :-)
Simple, Economic, Effective. :-)
S.W.
Hi Allan. Here's that press brake I built for my Ironworker that I tore apart & never put back together. :-) S.W.
Hello Steve, looks pretty trick. You really should get the rest of it put back together so that you can do something with it! Had to include that, sorry couldn't help myself. Really does look nice and OSHA would likely be very happy with the guarding that you included. Best regards, Allan
Why thank you, Allan! :-) I know I need to get the rest of it back together. I need to get it taken to sandblast first, then I can get on it. As soon as I get enough money to carry me for a month or so, I think I'll be able to put some time into it then.
Scotchman wanted well over $1000 for the brake, so I bought the dies & made everything else. I made a nice back gauge for it too. I had a real job than & had the time & money to screw around with my own stuff. :-)
Thanks again! S.W.