Laminated Step Blocks

[TOM REED]

Rickabilly "I don't think you have seen the pics or had a look at some of the plans that Gerard has for his shaper, I sure hope that ED gets the plans done, I want to get started on one as soon as possible. tom

[EdK]

(09-20-2012, 11:20 PM)TOM REED Wrote: Rickabilly "I don't think you have seen the pics or had a look at some of the plans that Gerard has for his shaper, I sure hope that ED gets the plans done, I want to get started on one as soon as possible. tom

Tom,

The plans are drawn up and I'm in the verification stage. I've found some errors in some of the drawings by doing the work of verifying the drawings so it's a worthwhile step to take. Unfortunately, it's a painstaking process that takes a great deal of time so I'm behind Gerard on my end of it. The plans will get done, it's just a matter of finding the time. It's worth the wait because Gerard has done a fantastic job designing the shaper but it's not going to be cheap to make.

Ed

[tlfamm]

Is the relative softness of aluminum a functional benefit or deficit for the blocks? Do they tend to become gouged/warped through use or not? (Versus the protection aluminum provides against marring the mill table ...)


I'll be making a set also, thanks for the idea.

[TomG]

(09-21-2012, 07:34 AM)tlfamm Wrote: Is the relative softness of aluminum a functional benefit or deficit for the blocks? Do they tend to become gouged/warped through use or not? (Versus the protection aluminum provides against marring the mill table ...)


I'll be making a set also, thanks for the idea.

All I can say is the blocks shown in the pics were made nearly thirty years ago and I still use them daily. Aside from build-up of the usual crud (patina?) associated with machining, I think they've held up pretty well.

Tom

[Rickabilly]

(09-20-2012, 11:20 PM)TOM REED Wrote: Rickabilly "I don't think you have seen the pics or had a look at some of the plans that Gerard has for his shaper, I sure hope that ED gets the plans done, I want to get started on one as soon as possible. tom

I didn't mean to put down anyone's work, but rather to state how precious a broken shaper can be given the current interest in this type of tool, and I was thinking more of the Gingery shaper and the limitations of building in cast aluminium, which is just not as good as cast iron in so many ways.

Sorry if I have offended, I have briefly seen some of Gerards work and it does look very good, but it wasn't on my "radar" when I posted above.

Best Regards
Rick

[f350ca]

I was planning on building a shaper before I stumbled on the Logan. Would have been a neat project. Are there any drawings or sketches of Gerard's design?

[EdK]

(09-21-2012, 08:30 AM)f350ca Wrote: I was planning on building a shaper before I stumbled on the Logan. Would have been a neat project. Are there any drawings or sketches of Gerard's design?

Greg,

The drawings are not done yet but when they are they will be available from Gerard in PDF, DXF, DWG and DFT (Solid Edge 2D native format) formats. I'll contact Gerard and see if it's alright for me to post some pictures of his shaper. He has been taking pictures and sending them to me as he builds his shaper. It's pretty impressive what he's done so far.

Ed

[EdK]

Hey Tom,

Check this out. I was watching a YouTube video by oxtool and happened to see this (see image below). I'm wondering where he got the idea?  

Ed

   

[TomG]

lol.

I have to admit that the step block thing wasn't my idea, but I've never seen them anywhere else than one shop where I worked.

Tom