Built a few more - Cape Town, South Africa

[Gerald D]

The annual big wave surf contest is about to start. Here are some pics of local surfing conditions off the "Cape of Storms":

http://www.oneillsa.com/Events/Raw-C...Wave-Award.asp

What does this have to do with MechMate? Nothing!

[Robert M]

Well… They actually do have something in common !
Both are just amazing!
Thanks Gerald !

[sailfl]

Awsome Waves!

[Greg J]

Pull in, big wave surfing is one most amazing, coolest, "things" we humans do. !!!

[Gerald D]

Have seen dolphins, seals and sharks doing it too, but not in those very big waves - they have more intelligence, and respect for their environment!

[Gerald D]

From blue waves to blue steel:

The blue appears.jpg

[CAM Craft]

http://www.redbullbwa.com/

Twiggy won the red bull big wave yesterday

[Gerald D]

Why am I not surprised at: "Thoughts also go to the South African surfers who were injured in the contest: Jason Ribbink (concussion), Mike Schlebach (dislocated shoulder), and Charles Reitz in yesterday's practice session (broken ribs). Get well soon boys and hopefully we'll see you fighting fit next year."?

Picture & video gallery from yesterday:
http://www.redbullbwa.com/photos.php

[Greg J]

Great pictures and video. A special breed they are.

[Gerald D]

More videos here:

http://www.redbullbwa.com/2008_videos.html

[Greg J]

You know, I could watch those all day long when I should be in the shop making dust.

I can't believe they survive some of those wrecks.

OK, to the shop.

[Marc Shlaes]

Gerald,

Just curious, are you putting spindles on all these machines?

[Gerald D]

Yes

[Marc Shlaes]

The reason I asked that in the other thread was I was looking at the control box and trying to identify the components that support the spindles. My control box is supporting only a router - at least at first. I have about 60% of my control box parts and I am getting ready to buy the rest so I was mentally tracing your wires. The wires in that particular picture were easy to follow. Pictures seem to work better for me than wiring diagrams at first. The way I seem to work is to:

1. Conceptually understand the real thing
2. Draw my own diagram
3. Compare my diagram with the ones posted and see if my understanding was correct

JR and I have friendly "discussions" about my approach. He takes a very practical "hands on" / figure-it-out-as-we-go approach. "Just go do it" has never worked very well for me.

The good news is that I can tell from the posts that both kinds of people can get their machines built - when the day job isn't completely in the way.

Replied here

[CAM Craft]

i have received all the VFD's, and 95% of the components that make up all 4control boxes and push button sets for 5machines. when i get the chance to triple check LAPP cable lengths then i will order. Is there blue paint left over at your shop to spray control/VFD boxes and more square tubing box spacers?

[Gerald D]

There is still a lot of paint here (and some more big frames to paint). Bring the boxes out on the bakkie today and you can take back a gantry and some more parts to start assembling.

[CAM Craft]

thanks. will buzz you later first

[Gerald D]

This Mamba made me smile this morning:
http://www.newwaytrucks.com/refuse_t...ites/mamba.asp

[javeria]

Hi Sean,

did you get a discount on the spindles and VFD's (because you bought many)?

RGDS
Irfan

[Gerald D]

No, as far as what they are concerned, less than 20 or 50 or 100 is not "many". I would not even dare ask for a discount for only 5.

[javeria]

Gerald, kindly PM me the vitamin M involved

[Kobus_Joubert]

Hi Gerald / Sean, where are you going to put all these new MM's ? From what I remember on my last visit they will not fit comfortably in Sean's existing factory. Some place new on ground floor for the future ?

[Gerald D]

One of the big board suppliers has offered some space, and Sean is hunting around for bigger premises.

[CAM Craft]

Something like that or find an additional site and run the business from both. it isn't easy to expand!

[Alan_c]

It isn't easy to be in two places at once either, unless the second site runs a bit like a franchise?

[hennie]

"As die kat weg is, is die muis baas!"Keep it in one workshop tip from a fool who have a diploma from "sohks" ( school of hard knocks).

[Kobus_Joubert]

I think Alan is SUGGESTING something

[Gerald D]

Saw that.

Sean already has 3 full-time employees and the second site will only need rare visits by management. That is for the cases where the same file is cut over and over, day after day. An operator can do that by only using the buttons on the gantry. It can be a pretty "dumb" site.

Hennie, factory rentals in Sean's area run R35 to R40 /m² /month. Factory purchases are R4500 to R6000 /m². It is not going to be easy to find 300m² in the area where his established customers are. So, he would have to beg, borrow, steal cheap space, run lots of machines, make lots of money, and then buy some space.

Okay, that was the last word on how Sean runs his business - the old man must butt out!

[hennie]

I know the feeling looking for space my town is so slooow on the development side of industrial areas and with the rent that we pay could have gone on a verry long holiday.Seems like space is the final frontier good luck!

[Alan_c]

Originally Posted by Kobus_Joubert

I think Alan is SUGGESTING something

Come on guys, I know i'm jobless, but I have my own MechMate , I was merely advising as Hennie did that without eagle eyes watching, staff has been known to slack off a "little" ???