Patience

Happy days!! A lot of development has occurred in the past few business days. I found out that the rebuild kits for the rams will not be in for another week or so. They are full gasket rebuild kits for each ram, not just an o-ring replacement. I also spoke with Ray and Ernie at Maynard Machine Tool about the designs of my knives. At first, I was told they would not work, however...after a rather lengthy conversation with Ernie, the designer, he finally understood where I am going with this back knife design. He told me I was thinking "outside the box" and not in a traditional sense, but I may be on to something. They have just never done it that way. We'll see. I hope it works, because then I'll be on to something :) I did run several test runs with the "Ernie" gouge in the machine and I must say, it cuts pretty darn clean. Video posted below.

First pair! Not perfect, but getting close.

I'm still doing a lot of cleaning to the machine. Three grocery bags of old oily sawdust have come off the machine so far. There is sawdust and chips in places I would've never thought possible. I've also found that the hydraulic pump does not like cold weather. Much like me, it is going to have to be kept warm to start up and function correctly. It makes me wonder how these units functioned in the cold of the north and northeast of the U.S. I know a hydraulic oil change is in the future. I'm just putting it off until I fix the rams.

I didn't get to pick up the tool this past weekend. The gentleman had to work. We are going to try again this coming weekend. With everything that is going on, I have much to give thanks for this thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to spending some time with family and friends. I miss talking with one friend in particular. You know who you are.

'til later,
Frank