terrye

**terrye** · Mar 6, 2015, 06:14 AM

As a new member, I plan on showing some of the things and tools I build. Most of what I build is done on a drafting program first, then I take the drawings to the shop and build what I drew. I don't take as many pictures of what I make but I'll try to do a better job in the future. Some of the projects I plan to show in the near future: Converting my AC driven wood lathe to a DC powered unit; How I was able to use a DPDT toggle switch to change DC motor direction; how I tightened the V-Belt on the wood lathe and so on. If I can, I like to make my own tools, but some, I must admit are better built by a manufacturer. An upcoming project, for example, Is a 4" belt sander. I had one but mistakenly give it to my son. It was a manufactured unit, but I think I'd like to make one myself.

**kbalch** · Mar 6, 2015, 08:46 AM

Sounds as though you've got a good system in place. I like the idea of working from proper drawings - being able to produce those drawings in the first place is just that much more efficient - and impressive!

Some neat projects there, but we need at least one good photo each to add them to the site. Take those pics; we'd like to see what you've built!

Ken

**Jon** · Mar 6, 2015, 11:38 AM

Yes, sounds like a nice disciplined system. People here are often asking for plans or drawings of tools. Sometimes a high-quality drawing can be more useful than photographs of the finished product.

**kbalch** · Mar 6, 2015, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Jon

Sometimes a high-quality drawing can be more useful than photographs of the finished product.

I couldn't agree more. I built my airplane from a set of full-size engineering drawings accompanied by an excellent, highly detailed manual. My current kit car project, despite being comprised entirely of high-end, fully bespoke components (no "donor" parts) came with a bare bones (and barely adequate) manual and a photo CD with images taken over the last 10-15 years and showing, in places, outdated components no longer in the kit. Needless to say, it's very confusing at times.

One guess which I prefer…