Enlightenment

I'm not dead! I'm just back getting set up in Nova Scotia for the next chapter. Thank you everyone for being so supportive, and I apologize if I worried anyone.
Patreon: / hlaps1990
Instagram: / tabletop_machine_shop
Attributions
Feelin Good by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.fi...
License: filmmusic.io/s...
Deep And Dirty by Kevin MacLeod
Link: filmmusic.io/s...
License: filmmusic.io/s...
All emojis designed by OpenMoji - the open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0

[@GoAwayStupidAI]

"I really built a wall of tasks around myself, and climbing out of there was so daunting I just sat there" I feel this. 100%

[@FKreider]

Yup me too! I'm at the point of just scrapping projects or putting them on complete hold so I can concentrate focus on a couple things at a time and actually make progress.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

It's rough isn't it :(. Thanks for sharing

[@unrepentantgeek]

I subscribed because of your ISO fits video and I'm so glad that I did. A reamed hole for a lamp mount? I'm going to like it here. 😂

[@TabletopMachineShop]

To my credit, the lamps are accurately located and free to rotate :)

[@exol511]

You live!!! Glad to see you back, really missed your content (your lathe stuff was super cute). As for your questions about worthwhile mods for the BF25 clone. Main recommendation I will make about upgrades for the BF25 machine (also G0704, there is tons of mods for it btw) is that the dovetail ways will wear out really quick unless properly and consistently lubricated (casting is generally not high quality), thus I really recommend one of the first mods to do is make oil channels into em and drill holes so you can pump way oil into em. Also since you have the US version of it you have the R8 work holding and that means you should be able to fairly easily convert the spindle to take the Tormach tooling (which is also R8 based). On top of that I would recommend you also make and install a longer drawbar as that will allow you to use washer springs to and a pneumatic piston to make an Automated drawbar (much more fun to use the thing when you do not have to break out a wrench every time). Those are in my opinion the most optimal mods to do on this machine if you want to keep it manual (for CNC there is a ton of useful stuff, but some of them need access to another machine, which depending on your current situation might not be that simple to do).

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks! That was quite useful! I'm going to look at TTS but it won't be the first thing -- I've already done approximately 66.6667% of a DRO installation (the important two) and then I'm considering the power feeds. I'm going to get some kind of repetitive stress injury if I keep trying to do rapid moves! I saw a really great TTS mod where basically rather than compressed air, they used a big compound lever to actuate the drawbar. Maybe something like that. I have compressed air, so I could just use a piston, but a big lever might be a cool project. Thanks for the tips about lubricating. That's one thing I was pretty disappointed with on this machine (I'm sure I'll complain in the review video), but there are basically no oiling points, no grooves for oil, the scraping seems shallow and the spindle, despite having an oil level indicator, it seems to have grease in it! I want to oil it, but if it's not sealed it will just leak everywhere! Greg

[@exol511]

@@TabletopMachineShop yea, the spindle will leak 100% if you try oil. Also there are a couple of mods like the bearing retention ring for the spindle that you might be interested in (the stock is very likely to losses which will result in play in the spindle bearings). Another very common mod on this machine (in the CNC shape at least) is upgrading the spindle to belt drive and a better motor (the stock ones have a very bad habit of burning up if used for extended periods, so people get either china 750-1kW servo motors or thread mill motors). Also check machine squareness and tram, mine was terrible in that (round 0.1mm across 100 mm).

[@jackbisson9226]

Dude your tabletop injection molding machine has lots of potential. That would be a good kickstarter project where you could raise a good amount of money to produce a great tabletop injection molding machine. It would sell like toilet paper in a pandemic.

[@madshall8282]

Good to see you back and alive! I still have a partially assembled injection molding machine in my shop 🤣

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Hey no way me too! Hopefully our problems are both solved in the nearish future!

[@frogdavw9699]

Good to see you again. I am a bit jealous of your new house, garage, and machine. But I am happy for you. Congratulations

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thank you, I will say I am happy with the house, garage, and machine, but I have certainly noticed a marked increase in general stress about all three :P. Getting chips all over your own floor just isn't as satisfying i guess!

[@Shiftypop]

Folk yeah! Currently sitting in the bottom of a similar fort, walled in by tasks, some daunting, some less so, but both numerous. Good to see someone made it out alive! 😎

[@TabletopMachineShop]

It's folking rough in there. I'm sure you'll make it out as well though, sometimes its just nice to sit for awhile and plan your escape!

[@justice0952]

I'm glad to see you back! Looking forward to seeing updates on the cnc and jeweler's lathes. 👍

[@oakman818]

YES!! This is amazing news, welcome back man! I've been keeping my fingers crossed that your micro CNC lathe would get some more love ;)

[@TabletopMachineShop]

It certainly will. I have a plan that I'm not quite ready to announce yet. Per new policy, the large project slot is currently occupied by the injection molding machine, but after that..

[@Made2hack]

That's exactly what a Rave looks like. I've heard that when people run out of molly, the turn to cutting fluid!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I'm glad I was able to accurately capture it! Maybe next time I can throw a disco ball in the spindle (obviously never been to a rave haha)

[@craighuffman5397]

Welcome back! The "rave" really cracked me up. lol. Looking forward to seeing what you do next!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Craig!

[@tajdarkhan2423]

Good to See you back. I am waiting when you would be finished with your Molding machine. Seriously cant wait any longerrrrrrrrr.

[@MakenModify]

Welcome back :D I know what it feels like to disappear 😅 but you made it back, congratulations on that and the new shop ;) Looking forward to the the next videos 👍

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks! I assume you too have returned from the other side :P

[@kevinhunt8814]

I think we all see through the thinly veiled excuse of a "test piece" as reasoning to shred some more billy. Dude, it had a family! Nice to have you and the sound byte comedy back.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks bud, I hope all is going well on your end!

[@drapakdave]

Welcome to Nova Scotia! We are nice here! (And it is a good place to raise kids, too!)

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Dave! Everyone is extremely nice here! People say hi to you on the street and in a non obscene way while driving! I think we're going to be very happy here :)

[@VastCNC]

Welcome back. I have to say your work has easily been in my top five favorite channels, and I'd feel guilty asking for more, so I'll settle for appreciating getting more.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Hey thanks Chris! You can always ask for more, you just have to yell really loud so I can hear you with my head in the sand!

[@russtuff]

Everybody loves a comeback :)

[@JustinAlexanderBell]

Hmm

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Great to hear from you! Yeah, hopefully they aren't too frequent though, the sequels are always worse...

[@joecnc3341]

WOWWW!!! So great to see you "back at it " Greg!!!! Keep up the great work. Joe from Romeo Michigan USA (GF is a Cannuckian, though)

[@pancake_crab4457]

#1 recommendation to improve your milling machine: show it off in more videos for us to watch. #2, keep a mini fridge nearby. You know, for important reasons (snacks and drinks). #3, if you are going to go for powered axis, why not just step up to cnc-ify it? Like This Old Tony and his powered manual controls that can also be switched to full computer control.

[@AntiVaganza]

We all end up behind those walls once in a while - good to see you back:)

[@guitarchitectural]

Hope you're well, enjoying the beautiful east coast! Can't wait for that next video! Curious - did you ever post video of the ATC in action? Also I'm sure you looked it up but craftex machines are usually equivalent to Precision Matthews machines in the US!

[@FinboySlick]

What a treat to have you back! Welcome to the east coast, now you have to figure which syllable of a word to pronounce in french and the arcane art of chiak.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks, it's great to be here and great to be ... down... east! Things are pretty tame in Nova Scotia, but every now and then you hear an "Osti de crisse de sacrament!" when someone spills their double double in timmies!

[@grandmastersreaction1267]

Good to see you’re back and doing well! Looking forward to more injection molding and lathe videos.

[@JShel14]

Im so excited that you're back, Im glad you're doing well and Im so looking forward to your future projects!

[@rowandunn2403]

Welcome back! I was wondering what happened to you I've been around since the hlapps1990 days and always loved your channel I'm glad you're doing well!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Rowan, glad to hear it and glad to hear you've put up with me this long :)

[@FKreider]

Welcome back - looking forward to more videos!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Frank!

[@tinayoga8844]

Glad you are back. A little advice. Don't make things as small as you would like to make it. There is never enough time to get it done.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Wise words. I think i've turned the dial from "perfect" a little bit closer to "doable" :)

[@azenginerd9498]

Cool! Mr. Bill impersonations!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Oh yeah I see it haha! Not my intention but I'll take the accidental reference :)

[@fryreartechnology7611]

Yay! Not dead... awesome too see you making a return to metal working on KZbin.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks, awesome to be making a go of it again :)

[@fryreartechnology7611]

@@TabletopMachineShop let's keep it going too with a video coming soon

[@thiagoennes]

MAN it is great to hear from you :) Welcome back!

[@ODGColornChrome]

Welcome back! Missed your vids!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Darren!

[@practicemakesbetter7132]

Welcome back, your simple lamp holder bracket is impressive.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks!

[@Astjaeger]

Don't let the man get you down or a schedule or something

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I hear ya!

You’re back!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Yessir!

[@mauricioruiz6600]

Saludos desde Ecuador 🇪🇨 , que paso con el proyecto de inyectora de plástico.

[@max_eley]

Welcome back 😀, good to see you upload!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Max! Yup, had to remember where the button was but I got it figured out eventually :)

[@burrefpv9273]

Welcome back! But I'll need the link to the cat channel?

[@eddiekvh]

cool!

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Craig!

[@LordOfTamarac]

Happy to hear you’re alive!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Mike!

[@bobweiram6321]

KZbin was getting a bit stale without your videos! I asked about your disappearance in a past video comment and it's exciting to hear your response. I'll be looking forward to your highly inspirational videos. BTW, I've always wanted to know the source of the intro jingle you on your earliest videos. It sounds eerily similar to Cesaria, an international musical sensation from Cape Verde.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Hi Bob, thanks for the warm welcome back! I remember your comment, I'm sorry I didn't respond there :(. The song was a royalty free track as I recall, the name escapes me, but I believe I let it play in its entirety in my cannon video. That decision was remarkably unpopular! I ended up not using it when i updated my logo -- I suppose I like a crisp and simple introduction.

[@paullewis6612]

WHAT ?? Not dead? No!! Could’ve fooled me. Welcome back. 🤙

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Paul! That must be the zombie-like clumsiness that confused you :)

[@_billyk_]

3rd time lucky? 😉 FYI, yours is one of few channels I actively check on to see if you've posted Down to earth and you know your shit. Hope you're doing alright in 2023 - I'm finally getting stuff sorted and projects finished this year. I think part of that is I'm tired of my button pushing day job lol Ah well, whatever it takes to encourage me to get stuff done 😂

[@julianvaldez7364]

Glad you're back! Hope you're liking the move.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Hi Julian, yep, it's good so far. A bit stressful here and there but at least it feels like I can settle a bit now!

[@elbowdonkey]

Glad you're back.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Michael!

[@_billyk_]

Eyyyyy he's back! Good to see your return, I knew this'd be a good year! 😉

[@mark3dprinters150]

Welcome back sir🥳💥💥

[@RaminCreate]

So glad you're back😍

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks!

[@GuyFawkes911]

great that yo are back

[@paulbyerlee2529]

I hope you got your eyes sorted out. I apologize if my memory has failed me but I recall that was the reason for your sabbatical.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Hi Paul, thanks for asking! I think in hindsight it was more about being burnt out, but I may have said it was related to my eye. Unfortunately it's still not sorted, but I'm going to try to keep moving forward. I can drive and stuff which is good, the biggest problem is just depth perception. Ever try to touch off an endmill with one eye closed? You may end up surprised where your Y axis actually is :P. I'm waiting for a call from a specialist some time this year -- the local eye doctor said i might get in sooner because my case is medically interesting.. thanks I guess?

[@paulbyerlee2529]

@@TabletopMachineShop I don't have to imagine. My right eye focuses only 2" away from my face. Good thing left eye is ok. It's amazing how many times people will throw something at you and expect you to catch it. Your brain can compensate a fair bit and for the most part I don't even notice it. It still sux and I wish I was "normal"....... But where is the fun in that?😉

[@kenfcrafts]

Welcome back!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thank you!

[@stuartandrews8161]

Good to see ya back!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Stuart!

[@YagoFernades]

Welcome back bro!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Yago, great to be back!

[@zsigmondkara]

Yaaaaay!

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Yay!

[@sandeeps7979]

Welcome back sir

[@Tristoo]

subbed cuz your videos are cool. but also lol on this video cuz it's been 5 months

[@jaredwilliams5252]

Welcome back.

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks Jared!

[@tonygombas491]

This old Tony

[@bryomuch]

its been 4 months just post anything, even a reply will be fine

[@32557]

Jooooooo

[@bryomuch]

hahahah lol , it will be like you never existed. great to see you again man

[@TabletopMachineShop]

Thanks! That part was a mess. I must have had a chip under a parallel or something for the first few operations because it was bad lol

[@RCairplanefy]

bro come on you upload once a year lol 😀

[@SharkyMoto]

dude relax with the uploads i cant watch them all

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I knew I should have done a "Best of 2021"...

[@meocats]

its been a year, what's the excuse this time?