mickey cassiba
10-01-2009, 8:42 PM
I'd like to set the record straight.
In the short time I've been posting at the Creek, some may have noticed that I've a lot to say about Delta and PC tools. That's because they are the only wood working tools I know anything about. I'm not trying to bash or flame PC, Delta or their relatively new parent B&D. I just know the tools, inside and out. I started at PC in the '90s as a production machinist, and went through all phases of their operation, finally landing in the re-conditioning operation. There I got hands on with every tool, jig and accessory that was produced and or marketed, foreign and domestic, by PC and Delta. After the buy out from Pentair, I elected to stay with the operation, and was involved in the moving, set up and daily operation of the Delta Industrial Reconditioning operation in McAllen Texas. I trained the new generation of D.I. re-conditioning techs and was responsible for the day to day operation of the shop which included All of the industrial Delta machinery, the large DeVillbis compressors and Flex Stone and metal working tools.
The remainder of the tools were shipped to our sister operation in Mexico where the PC, Little Delta(benchtops) and small compressors and pressure washers were either reconditioned or scrapped.
During my years at PC/Delta, and later B&D, I participated in employee purchase programs, and (with permission, I must emphasize) built many of the tools in my collection with an eye towards my eventual retirement.
I have been fascinated with wood working since my first shop class in the seventh grade, and have always tried, somewhat unsuccessfully, to find employment in the"trades". I was privileged to work with master carpenters in San Francisco restoring the "Old Vics" to their earlier glory.
I was in heaven then though often told to quit asking questions and "go get me" this or that.
After my time in the Army, I re-entered construction in the mundane fields of framing and roofing, and later trim work and house finishing.
Great money in the housing boom of the seventies and eighties but little in the way of benefits.
When I finally settled into family life I realized that a traveling carpenter(journeyman?) could not adequately provide the needs of a family, insurance, stable home, etc. and in the mid-south of the time the only place to do so was in the "factories".
I dabbled in metal working first as a production operator and later as a specialty machinist in a gear and machine company.
Now as I near the end of my career, if it can be called that, I am the (nearest thing to, without any degree or formal education) plant engineer for a mid sized wood moulding and casement company.
Full Circle!
At times I post replies to threads, concerning machinery, speaking from experience. At others, I ask questions that must seem hopelessly naive.
With the former I am trying to pay for information that I request of you folks.
I'm proud to have found this group, and proud as well to call myself a member. I only hope that I can give back half as much as I have received(and yes, I have sent a donation to the creek, waiting for the check to clear as I write).
Thanks for reading, don't judge me harshly if, at times, I come off as a smart-***. Can't help it ! I am.! And likewise if I ask a question that your eight year old nephew could answer, look on me kindly. I'm trying to learn. It's my hobby, learning, and I intend to do it as long as I can.
Thanks for having me over, hope we can visit frequently
Mickey Cassiba
Almost a Renaissance Man
In the short time I've been posting at the Creek, some may have noticed that I've a lot to say about Delta and PC tools. That's because they are the only wood working tools I know anything about. I'm not trying to bash or flame PC, Delta or their relatively new parent B&D. I just know the tools, inside and out. I started at PC in the '90s as a production machinist, and went through all phases of their operation, finally landing in the re-conditioning operation. There I got hands on with every tool, jig and accessory that was produced and or marketed, foreign and domestic, by PC and Delta. After the buy out from Pentair, I elected to stay with the operation, and was involved in the moving, set up and daily operation of the Delta Industrial Reconditioning operation in McAllen Texas. I trained the new generation of D.I. re-conditioning techs and was responsible for the day to day operation of the shop which included All of the industrial Delta machinery, the large DeVillbis compressors and Flex Stone and metal working tools.
The remainder of the tools were shipped to our sister operation in Mexico where the PC, Little Delta(benchtops) and small compressors and pressure washers were either reconditioned or scrapped.
During my years at PC/Delta, and later B&D, I participated in employee purchase programs, and (with permission, I must emphasize) built many of the tools in my collection with an eye towards my eventual retirement.
I have been fascinated with wood working since my first shop class in the seventh grade, and have always tried, somewhat unsuccessfully, to find employment in the"trades". I was privileged to work with master carpenters in San Francisco restoring the "Old Vics" to their earlier glory.
I was in heaven then though often told to quit asking questions and "go get me" this or that.
After my time in the Army, I re-entered construction in the mundane fields of framing and roofing, and later trim work and house finishing.
Great money in the housing boom of the seventies and eighties but little in the way of benefits.
When I finally settled into family life I realized that a traveling carpenter(journeyman?) could not adequately provide the needs of a family, insurance, stable home, etc. and in the mid-south of the time the only place to do so was in the "factories".
I dabbled in metal working first as a production operator and later as a specialty machinist in a gear and machine company.
Now as I near the end of my career, if it can be called that, I am the (nearest thing to, without any degree or formal education) plant engineer for a mid sized wood moulding and casement company.
Full Circle!
At times I post replies to threads, concerning machinery, speaking from experience. At others, I ask questions that must seem hopelessly naive.
With the former I am trying to pay for information that I request of you folks.
I'm proud to have found this group, and proud as well to call myself a member. I only hope that I can give back half as much as I have received(and yes, I have sent a donation to the creek, waiting for the check to clear as I write).
Thanks for reading, don't judge me harshly if, at times, I come off as a smart-***. Can't help it ! I am.! And likewise if I ask a question that your eight year old nephew could answer, look on me kindly. I'm trying to learn. It's my hobby, learning, and I intend to do it as long as I can.
Thanks for having me over, hope we can visit frequently
Mickey Cassiba
Almost a Renaissance Man