Cadflat Tube Bender Project.

[Oddbod]

I am much improved now and plan to do a small recovery project in my shop.
I will upgrade my HF sand blast cabinet.
Is anybody interested in seeing this on here???

Please let me...

[Esteban]

I’m sure many members here will appreciate that. Some do have a HD sandblaster.

[RiverPatrol]

Of course, bring it on!

[Oddbod]

I purchased one of those red imported sand blast cabinets from a friend who was a bit dissolutioned by its effectiveness.
Its been sitting around for a while, so I decided now was a good time to take a closer look at it.

A lot of shop equipment is not always used often and in the case of a sand blast cabinet it probably falls into such a category.
However, if a piece equipment does perform well when called upon, then it will probably get used more often.
My intention with this sand blast cabinet was to improve it where possible to make it something that was going to do what is required of it every once in a while.

So, I watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to improve my HF sand blasting cabinet.
There is a bunch of small upgrade ideas offered by guys just like us, that they seem to think will much improve the sand blasting capability of these cabinets.

It all seems quite logical and most items are really easy to do, so in line with the majority of ideas,
my plan for now is to add castor wheels as it seems a good idea for mobility, but also the unit seems a little too low in height for us westerners, so by adding wheels in my case should help to add a little extra height, so my elbows are better placed when in the glove sleeves.

Mostly, these upgrades only seem to require my time and a few cheap parts, so I feel like taking it on.
It became obvious, I needed to watch several videos to help me form an opinion as to which upgrades were beneficial and worth doing.

So off into the sand blasting wilderness I go.

[RiverPatrol]

It's good to see that you're feeling well enough to take on a new project.

[Oddbod]

Yes, I need to be doing something meaningful or fullfilling, its good for the soul.
I've been doing too much of nothing for too long.

Apologies, I've moved this earlier posting to a new topic

"Cadflat HF Sand Blast Cabinet Upgrades Project."

In the General Tech Section.

Sorry, I forgot about hosekeeping for a short time.
HF = Habor Freight.
It's been a while alright...

[Oddbod]

I must be getting better now, I decided that I needed to take care of some unfinished business on my Tube Bender Project.
Not only for safety but it has been bugging me for sometime now that I need toi install and wire my switches which makes thijngs much easier for test runs and reversing the direction.
I've had the switches for ages but life and health has gotten in the way of me installing them.

I wanted a control panel that I could swing down out of the way when not in use.
I've designed the whole bender unit so I can push it thru door openings without and issue, however the control panel would have prevent this if I kept it in my preferred location.

So as you can see I have combined the ON/OFF switch alongside the FOREWARD/REVERSE switch and have hinged this panel so by removing an hand screw in bolt lets call it, I can locate the control panel for use of stow it away for transport...

Dont get too excited I am still working on my sand blast cabinet, but got a yerning to finish this switch stuff.
The bender stuff is heavier and slower work so will remain on the back burner a little longer.

Once the sandblast cabinet is done, I have another small project to complete.
I acquired a 2nd hand lathe, bigger that what I have been using and it has a gap bed.
It sits on a homemade wooden stand, which sadly is not rigid enough for my liking and I must confess to preferring such items constructed from steel and not lumber.
I've never been much of a woodwork guy...

So next fill in project is to construct a new stand that provides me with all the stuff especially storage space that I always wanted but never had.
Stay posted...

[RiverPatrol]

Yes, I think you're feeling better.

[Oddbod]

Thanks River, yes I am on top of my situation mentally and slowly ticking all the physical/medical boxes.
I hope to visit your great country next year if you are open for business???
Oh and put the poison away... Hahahaa!!!

[Oddbod]

Well folks, I still have a heart beat and pulse but not as active right now.
Nevertheless, I am still keen to make some progress from time to time.
I recently finished machining my 2nd bending form from another 20kg slug of steel picked up from waste at a laser cutting outlet.

The problem with getting other folks scrap is there is always extra stuff to deal with.
In this case, the slugs are generally out of round by upto a 1/4" and the outer cut surface seems very hard.
Once I cut thru the outer surface it machines OK.
Last issue has been that the laser begins its cut in this waste slug and kinder does a small spiral as it cuts out of the slug and then actually creates a cut line between the waste and the main piece of metal.
This means that every rotation during machining hits this cut line and it clacks similar to riding in a old train.
On the plus side the cut cuts the swarf off and helps preevnt a build up of a continuous off cut.

My lathe is only tiny for such a heavy piece of metal and the swing is past its limit.
The slug comes to me at a diameter in excess of 8".
I feel somewhat ashamed to admit that I have spend more than 10 hours in front of my lathe to make 1 form.
I must run slow speeds and take steady for fear of breaking something or hurting the operator...

I am pleased to say that I have no plans to make any more forms.
So now, I have a 32mm diamter form that I acquired and modified to fit my machine, plus a 42mm and 52mm diameters that I have homemade.