New workshop time (nearly there...)

Jalapeno

Sporky said:

So... who fancies helping me install some ducting?

Oh look, a seagull !

Sporky

octatonic said:

Sporky said:

So... who fancies helping me install some ducting?

Sure- at £50 an hour I will soon pay for that compressor I'm buying off you.

Hmm. That seems a bit steep.

Tell you what, let's make it £30 an hour you pay me.

TTony

Sporky said:

octatonic said:

Sporky said:

So... who fancies helping me install some ducting?

Sure- at £50 an hour I will soon pay for that compressor I'm buying off you.

Hmm. That seems a bit steep.

Tell you what, let's make it £30 an hour you pay me.

I've met @octatonic.  You'll want at least the £50.  

Sporky

Good point!

Sporky

Seeing as community spirit seems to have died a death around here (oooh, passive aggressive... ) I thought I should get started on the ducting.

I was pretty sure I'd have forgotten some bits so the aim today was to unpack everything, roughly lay it out, check positions and make a list of the extras I'll need (including new bits to connect the extractor which has a larger port than I'd allowed for).

Thus it begins. Boxes!

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/02 boxes.jpg

We'll come back to the boxes. Before that, a selection of tools for the work at hand.

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/03 tools.jpg

Ooh, and even more ducting! The short bits are semi-flexible for odd curves. Better than the flexible plastic stuff in terms of static pressure loss, but not as good as proper rigid duct, so I'll be using as little as possible. It can also be used for making couplers. I can't quite remember why I bought any 125mm. Ah well.

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/05 more ducting.jpg



This is what's in the boxes:

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/06 bits.jpg

So all the branch-on-reducers, some 45 and 90 degree bends, strapping, duct tape and shut-off gates. Oh, and 1000 screws. 1000!

Once it's all unpacked the next thing is to work out what bit is what and lay things out - these are the branches for the pillar drill, planer/tablesaw and bandsaw

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/07 layout1.jpg

Round the corner is where the extractor will be - so a 150mm drop to the Y, which then feeds the two main branches of 150mm duct.

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/08 layout2.jpg

Along a bit to the K2 CNC machine, round the corner and under the bench which will have its own inlet.

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/09 layout3.jpg

Down the wall to the lathe, round the corner to the chopsaw (which will take a bit more thought later):

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/10 layout4.jpg

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/11 layout5.jpg

So good news; there's enough duct.

Sporky

Here's a bit of the flexi duct, I was just checking whether it goes over or inside the branches. Mystery solved.

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/12 flexi.jpg

However, I'd rather have rigid connections. I can buy them but I appear to have spare duct, so I can just cut 80mm (or so) sections. Plus I could do with practicing cutting the stuff. Turns out a hacksaw goes through fairly well (bastard loud though). I'll try the sabre saw and the angle grinder tomorrow for comparison.

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/13 cutting.jpg

And here's my first coupler, connecting a 90 degree bend to a shut-off gate. Ta-da etc.

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/14 coupler.jpg

It's not a very precise fit (this is perfectly normal) so next job is to tape it up with aluminium duct tape. The other side went a bit wiggy but this side makes me look like a champ.

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/15 taped joint.jpg

Not bad. More tomorrow.

stickyfiddle

Do you think this is the first time anyone on this forum has actually used duct tape for tapping up ducts?

Sporky

I'd like to think so. Though it'd be pretty useless for anything else - it's basically sticky-backed aluminium foil.

Sporky

Right. Returning the shut-off gates; they're pretty shoddy, and Record Power do proper aluminium blast gates for less money. The web site says 20% restocking fee, but I suspect Amex will solve that.

TTony

Have you lost Sprocket?

Sporky

No; she joined me for much of the process but was a bit camera shy.

Also she vociferously and vocally objected to the hacksaw. I think she wants me to buy a nice Bosch Pro cordless angle grinder for that work. Wise little puppy.

Sporky

I didn't want to anger Sprocket, so the rest of the ducting will be cut using a shiny new one of these (already had the batteries from a drill kit):

http://mwmurphy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/GWS-18V-Li.jpg

Admittedly I did already have an angle grinder, but it was mains and I didn't have the spanner thingy to change discs.

Planning on changing all the crap shut-off gates for these posher (yet cheaper) cast aluminium blast gates:

http://static.axminster.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1800x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/3/4/340920_xl.jpg

Sporky

Bit of a redesign today; moving the bench to the end wall and rejigging in the middle. I'd forgotten space to get the chip drum out of the extractor. Additional ducting bits ordered.

http://www.monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/031216 ducting/new_dust_layout.jpg

bob21

Sporky said:

I didn't want to anger Sprocket, so the rest of the ducting will be cut using a shiny new one of these

My excuse game is weak compared to this..!!

I think this is the best thread on tFB in ages, possibly ever! I love a good workshop thread!

Sporky

Thank you!

Last few days have involved a lot of standing, looking at things. Strangely this doesn't result in them being any different. But I have a proper plan for the ducting now, proper mounts on the way, I know the fixing points... all looks promising. Which is good because I have to have it finished before Monday when the electrician arrives, so that he doesn't put anything where the ducting needs to be. Let's hope he doesn't object to any of it...

TTony

Sporky said:

Bit of a redesign today; moving the bench to the end wall and rejigging in the middle. I'd forgotten space to get the chip drum out of the extractor. 

I think you've forgotten something else too.





Mme Sprockette needs a bedspace. 

Sporky

Under the chopsaw maybe?

Sporky

Next thing to consider is tables and benches. The current workshop has a big workbench built into a recess in the wall - it's about 40mm of MDF on a wooden frame. The CNC machine sits on a wooden frame I made myself, which is almost solid enough.

I'm thinking of replacing each with a welded steel bench of appropriate dimensions - maybe Bott, maybe JAS or similar. Any thoughts? I've also considered a Sjoberg type.

Roland

Sporky said:

Last few days have involved a lot of standing, looking at things. Strangely this doesn't result in them being any different. But I have a proper plan for the ducting now, 

Plan review and validation is always a worthwhile activity. 

capo4th

Love this thread as above check and double check everything.

Walk around the space consider movements between areas and where things are stored and positioned.