| WOW! What a day! I woke up at 530am to start the daily adventures. Jeff and I had a day of excitement and schooling planned ahead of us. Jeff met me at the hotel at 7 and we had some breakfast before heading out. Gotta have some fuel to get the day going. I know that I needed it and I'm sure Jeff did too. We set out headed south toward Massachusetts. Jeff wanted me to see the Atlantic ocean while I was here. So that was a first stop. |  |
| We meandered through much of the "old" country of the US. Jeff was giving me a history lesson around every bend in the road. We made it to the coast and it reminded me of home.The only difference was that there is huge pieces of granite and rock lining the coastline and there are lots of trees just on the edge of the marshes. He informed me they are working to rehabilitate the wetlands here, much like we are attempting to do in Louisiana. It was a beautiful sunrise with a brisk chill in the air. |  |
We then set out toward Ashburnham Mass. where Maynard machine and tool is located. This was my primary objective for the day. The men at Maynard Machine, Ray and Ernie, operate the machine shop that has made literally thousands of knives, gouges and back knives for Goodspeed FH lathes and others. This machine shop has been around for a LONG time. John Witt has used them to make and fabricate many components for his machines for many years. This was going to be a huge knowledge session.
we arrived and headed up the stairs of this unassuming machine shop. It is a two story building that houses nearly all the machines on the second floor. Walking up the stairs and into the room, there were all these old glorious machine tools. I wish I had taken more pics but I was just in amazement. We went into Ray's office and Jeff caught up a bit then I proceeded to tell Ray what I want to do....explore options. Well, it's going to take a bit of cash infusion to get what I would like for the Goodspeed. These knives aren't cheap and they are all hand ground to sharpness. We went and talked to Ernie and he helped me understand what is entailed with a more hands on approach. Ernie seems to be "the man" when it comes to these components.
He explained all the little details that go into making this tooling as well as how it will perform based on the different options I presented. There is a low price point and a high price point and for the abilities the high priced option may be the way to go. I really want to be able to offer drumsticks with some different options. My plan would be to offer 2 different shaft lengths, 3 different tapers and a variety of tips(all in wood at this time.) The major challenge is making these components work together and aligning them on the "knife bar." With this option, there will be some sanding to done to remove some artifacts that will be left on the sticks.
Ernie took the time to talk to us about a different roughing gouge that can be used to cut a nice edge behind the tip. Needless to say, I ordered one of those today. It was definitely worth it. Ernie even showed us how he grinds/sharpens the back knife on a grinder and also a specialized grinder for delicate areas and also sharpening gouges and roughing knives. He even offered, when I purchase the Back knives, for me to return and he would show me how to sharpen hem with the grinder. It is a must to know how to do this as the tooling needs to be sharpened regularly/daily depending on use. I will definitely be back, after the snow season.
we arrived and headed up the stairs of this unassuming machine shop. It is a two story building that houses nearly all the machines on the second floor. Walking up the stairs and into the room, there were all these old glorious machine tools. I wish I had taken more pics but I was just in amazement. We went into Ray's office and Jeff caught up a bit then I proceeded to tell Ray what I want to do....explore options. Well, it's going to take a bit of cash infusion to get what I would like for the Goodspeed. These knives aren't cheap and they are all hand ground to sharpness. We went and talked to Ernie and he helped me understand what is entailed with a more hands on approach. Ernie seems to be "the man" when it comes to these components.
He explained all the little details that go into making this tooling as well as how it will perform based on the different options I presented. There is a low price point and a high price point and for the abilities the high priced option may be the way to go. I really want to be able to offer drumsticks with some different options. My plan would be to offer 2 different shaft lengths, 3 different tapers and a variety of tips(all in wood at this time.) The major challenge is making these components work together and aligning them on the "knife bar." With this option, there will be some sanding to done to remove some artifacts that will be left on the sticks.
Ernie took the time to talk to us about a different roughing gouge that can be used to cut a nice edge behind the tip. Needless to say, I ordered one of those today. It was definitely worth it. Ernie even showed us how he grinds/sharpens the back knife on a grinder and also a specialized grinder for delicate areas and also sharpening gouges and roughing knives. He even offered, when I purchase the Back knives, for me to return and he would show me how to sharpen hem with the grinder. It is a must to know how to do this as the tooling needs to be sharpened regularly/daily depending on use. I will definitely be back, after the snow season.
 One of the old Goodspeed Machine buildings |  Another Goodspeed Machine building |
While I was this close, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to witness the Goodspeed Machine Co. complex. There is no more production here and there hasn't been any manufacturing since the 1990's from what I'm told. It is a massive complex, housing over 800 employees at one time that dates back to the 1850's. It is the physical representation of industrial revolution in America. There are many buildings in disrepair and what appears to be an old foundry on site. There is a dam in a river that creates a pond for cooling water. This is such an amazing company. I am enthralled with this companies machine influence on the wood products industry on this country for over 150 years and the legacy it has left behind. I am going to get to meet with John Witt for lunch on Wednesday before I leave. He is the last man at Goodspeed and I hope to learn much more from him. He has already shared a wealth of information with me over the past several months.
 New England Forest Products | We set back out for home and took the winding old state highways back toward "home." So beautiful and colorful. I was driving so I couldn't take any pics of the colors in the leaves. We got a bit turned around and had to ask for directions. Jeff wanted to take me to a mill so he could show me the differences between good hickory and bad hickory for drumsticks. we wound up at New England Forest Products. Very cool exciting place, as I would like to someday be able to saw my own timber into usable viable lumber products. |
Jeff led me over to the hickory rack and he proceeded to show me the differences in weight, grain and color that all go into a good quality drumstick. I am always amazed at Jeff's consummate knowledge of drumstick making. It is a real art form.
We got back on the road and got back just after dark. It has been a long, full, knowledgeable, exhilarating, stimulating day. I am wrapping up and getting ready for some much needed rest, for tomorrow is another full day. I am enjoying this trip immensely and Jeff's company and conversation is helping to solidify information. I am very thankful I was able to make this trip before winter set in.
I'm off to bed.
'til later,
Frank
We got back on the road and got back just after dark. It has been a long, full, knowledgeable, exhilarating, stimulating day. I am wrapping up and getting ready for some much needed rest, for tomorrow is another full day. I am enjoying this trip immensely and Jeff's company and conversation is helping to solidify information. I am very thankful I was able to make this trip before winter set in.
I'm off to bed.
'til later,
Frank
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