Oil Galleries
- Thread starter SMSW
- Start date
That's a big shaft!
At least they gave him a wobbly ladder to stand on. Obviously safety glasses were optional.
How did anyone live beyond 20? It's one of lifes little mysteries I spose.
Upt.
At least they gave him a wobbly ladder to stand on. Obviously safety glasses were optional.
How did anyone live beyond 20? It's one of lifes little mysteries I spose.
Upt.
Not your average drill press, either. A friend of mine, who loves old cast iron, bought a drill press from one of the two guys in the US who rebuild boilers and old steam traction engines. This radial drill press was a good 10' tall, and would drill a 3" hole in solid steel up to 6' from the central shaft. One could move the head in all directions (X,Y, & Z as well as tilt) using power feeds. What did my friend do with it? Well, beyond drilling a few practice holes, nothing, and when he closed his warehouse the machine was ultimately scrapped. I think it went to HGR. What did Jonas Stutzman (the Amish fellow who sold him the machine) do with it? No guessing here, he drilled holes in steel plates for boilers - for the tubes and for riveting. Why did he sell it? Because it was ancient technology, and his plasma cutters and CNC machinery will do the job more quickly and accurately. Jonas does have some pretty impressive old machines that will roll and bend up to 1/2" thick steel to make new parts to repair old boilers.
How does an Amish guy get away with welders, CNC machines and computers? First, it is part of his business, second, the decision of what the parishioners may own is up to the community, and third, I'd imagine he donates a hefty piece of change to his parish. (Some of what I have said here came from other Amish men, some from my speculation based on what I've heard from other sources.)