Build or Bust on Speed

[SliderPhoto]

so how do I go about getting all you guys with the cool tools to build me a part or two? :)   Maybe we could create a consortium and build a project.

[spyderchick]

so how do I go about getting all you guys with the cool tools to build me a part or two? :)   Maybe we could create a consortium and build a project.

Maybe a Sliderphoto Street Fighter?  ;) ;D

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Brian you need a Waterjet\Abrassie jet not a laser.
We got one in November.All I can say is they are amazing.

CNC lasers (what kind you have Mike? We have 2 Mitsubishi, newest about 6 months old - 4000W)

     I'm guessing our Laser is 5+ years old and is a 2000 Watt Cincinatti with twin 6' x 12' tables. We've only had the thing about 2 years and got it for a steal from a company that sadly was closing.  Our company had been looking into various options including Lasers, Flame Cutters, and Waterjet when this machine became available for an incredible price and pretty much made the decision on which to try 1st. I'm the back-up operator for the machine if the full time operator is unable to work for what ever reason.

     The fact that I have done so many different things puts me in kind of an awkward position at work because I'm the guy that steps in and takes over doing someones job in the event they are gone, quit, or get fired. Some people like to act as though they have job security in whatever it is that they do because they are 1 of the only operators of that equipment. There are several of those people where I work & they all pretty much hate the fact that I'm around as a 'security blanket' for the company. Admittedly I'm more of a 'Jack of all trades' than I am a fast expert at any one field, but I still do a good job at what ever it is I'm doing at work. I also train/help employees that are not familiar with MasterCAM software, programming, or running our Hurco CNC's. I was actually told by a new employee that he was told that the guy that would be training him (which was me) would also be the replacement for him if he didn't catch on to doing the job in a fair amount of time. Does that make me look like the bad guy right from the start or what?!

The biggest problem the I would have would not being able to doit at the shop I work at and missing the machines I am use to and would need.

I think Mike or Brian would have the same problem.

     I look at running different machinery like riding a bike, once you've done it jumping on another bike is usually adapted to fairly quick. I definately don't want to come across as thinking I would just waltz thru the build, I would have to work my butt off and it would be a steep learning curve as well, but I'm use to this type of situation. Also, I don't think they would have you running any CNC equipment (so no learning of their software), so it would just be adapting to using their version of manual machines. That aspect of the build isn't even a concern of mine, knowing what to do to physically build the bike would be my concern. Since I have only seen little bits of the show I don't know if they guide you at all and tell you what needs to be done next or if your completely thrown in without guidance. Since I don't know those bikes at all I would need to at least be pointed in the right direction as to which way to head next. :)

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

so how do I go about getting all you guys with the cool tools to build me a part or two? :)   Maybe we could create a consortium and build a project.

     That's a draw back to my job, I run all this cool stuff, but I can't really do anything on the side with the equipment. Slipping a little job thru here or there has been done before but since I never really know what I'm going to be doing from day to day at work I never know when I will be running a certain machine again. Also there are alot of prying eyes around the shop that are looking to get ahead of the next guy by stabbing anyone in the back to the boss, even if your on your own time doing whatever it is.  >:(

     I have considered opening my own place before for this very ability to do side jobs, but it would be difficult to survive in todays manufacturing atmosphere and be able to make a profit. So many overly money hungry CEO's are looking to make every cent possible and they don't care in the least about it's cost to everyone elses livelyhood so they send the work overseas. Foreign made products (especially China made) are destroying the manufacturing base in the USA. The other isssue is the low quality of many of those products and the latest mentality of building things cheap so everyone can buy one, but at the expense of many of those products failing far too prematurely so you'll have to keep buying replacements instead of having products that you keep for many years. We have some old World War II era machines at work that continue being used yet today because they were built how they should be. We also have machines that are only a few years old that are already being rebuilt due to not being built heavy enough to do what needs to be done with them. Designing products to intentionally fail is shady at the least and is a sad time in manufacturing history. It's too bad we took so many steps forward in manufacturing over many years and now the trend is reversing and designing products to barely be good enough. :-/

     I wish I could hook you up, but I really can't.

[spyderchick]

Mike, it would be really cool to see a racer do the show. I don't think that they really give you much direction, just some subtle and not so subtle hints. If they take a liking to you, it goes easier.

One of the things that has always eluded me with all of the build shows has been the lack of a "to do" list on the part of the builders (with the exception of Chip Foose on Overhaulin'). Lot's of people with under estimate their time because they haven't fully thought out what comes next in a logical order. Hell, I do that with what I do. I can only use one machine at a time with one color of thread. So do all the black first so I don't have to change bobbin and thread every 7 seconds. These guys stand around and scratch their heads looking dorky. If they had a list at least they would look intent.

[tzracer]

so how do I go about getting all you guys with the cool tools to build me a part or two? :) Ê Maybe we could create a consortium and build a project.

I can do government jobs, it all depends upon my schedule and whether the machines are available or not.

Let me know what you need done. Simple stuff (laser cut parts) I can usually turn around in a couple days (depending upon material - you may have to supply), more complex stuff (like a subframe) could take some time.

Email me or look me up at the track.

Oh yeah, no parts for those nasty Hondas (my last 2 each put me in the hospital)  ;)

[tzracer]

I think I could build the bike but not in there time.

The biggest problem the I would have would not being able to doit at the shop I work at and missing the machines I am use to and would need.

I think Mike or Brian would have the same problem.

I do prefer working with my own tools. The key would be planning and keeping the design simple. Making parts usually takes about twice as long as you think. I made a subframe (aluminum) for my SV. It took about 8 hours for each one (made a spare). The most time was spent machining the parts needed to connect to the frame.

Brian you need a Waterjet\Abrassie jet not a laser.
We got one in November.All I can say is they are amazing.
Lonny

Waterjets are cool, have beeter edge quality, but they are just too slow for our purpose. Been using industrial lasers (operating/ programming) since 1993. Company I work for (part time) has been using lasers since 1979. Our current one is incredibly fast. Rapid motion of about 6000 in/min. Cut speed of 0.125 steel (mild or stainless) at over 200 in/min, 0.500 steel at over 50 in/min. Hardness of the material is not important. I can cut exotic alloys (hastalloy etc) at the same speed as mild steel. Yes they are expensive (about $600,000 for the new one), but they can cut very fast (and accurate - cut one part with tolerance of +/- 0.0005, can hold +/- 0.005 all day). I have cut material as thin as 0.0005 thick.

We also use the laser to cut formed parts. Can you cut horizontally with a water jet?

[Dawn]

I just signed up....

We'll see if they actually contact me.  (Overhaul'n didn't   :'()

 ;D

[spyderchick]

I just signed up....

We'll see if they actually contact me.  (Overhaul'n didn't   :'()

 ;D

You? Or Paul?  :o :D

[Dawn]

I signed up....

Can you imagine the promo's...

Can this wife and mother from Wisconsin actually pull this off....

 ;D

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I GOT CALLED!  They want me for a new show called "Build, Then Bust."  I get to build a racebike, then crash it to pieces, tape it back together, then blow it up, thus crashing it in its own oil and busting it to pieces again.  I asked them why they selected me, and they just said that I had the natural talent they were looking for.
That's a compliment, right?

[Dawn]

I GOT CALLED!  They want me for a new show called "Build, Then Bust."  I get to build a racebike, then crash it to pieces, tape it back together, then blow it up, thus crashing it in its own oil and busting it to pieces again.  I asked them why they selected me, and they just said that I had the natural talent they were looking for.
That's a compliment, right?

Whaaaa Haaaa Haaaa Haaaaa!!!!!

 ;D