Originally Posted by
Matt McCoy
Kev: Please make that video. I keep imagining a bunch of machines, stacked on top of each other to the ceiling, with lots of rivets, Frankenstein bolts, duct tape, and steam chugging along as they are powered by a coal-fired dynamo with a collection of Commodore 64s and various typewriters.
Seriously, I appreciate your wealth of real-world experience and willingness to share it. It's also entertaining. Don't ever stop doing what you do.
I worked with a guy in my first real job in a machine shop that went on to start his own shop. We were good friends while working together and stayed in touch over the years. He hated the idea of working for anyone and felt that the vast majority of shop owners in town were complete idiots. He started his own shop and I stopped by to see him one day.
He had a 2,500 sq. ft. shop full of manual machines. 4 of them were running when I was talking to him. He had devised all sorts of switches and solenoids that would automatically advance various screws to dial in deeper cuts, and start itself over, then hit a limit switch when it was done and turn itself off. We're talking old, vintage machines, no cnc controls at all. That guy worked his butt off hustling around that shop and cranked out more work than people with 3 times the employees he had. It was really fascinating to watch.
I lost touch with him a few years ago and noticed his shop up for sale on Craigslist a few months ago. I was sad to see it go.
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Real name Steve but that name was taken on the forum. Used Middle name. Call me Steve or Scott, doesn't matter.