Monster Cane Mill Restoration: Installing the Top Bearing Caps and Large Drive Gear

[@tommybewick]

It's amazing. At least half of these comments are people telling him how he should have done something. I don't see any of those commenters putting up videos to show their great work.🤔

[@mikewatson4644]

I see very few comments telling him how he should have done something. Of those that are telling him something, almost all are about the lazer. A machine that he himself said he doesn't know much about and is using for his first project.

[@piperjohn_3]

Very impressive solo wrangling those massive pieces of iron. Bearings are beautiful.

[@douglasforrester849]

Not only do you show how your Machine Shop Equipment works and repair things but it's also a history class as well when you tell us about the History of that equipment and old things you repair!!!

[@jeffwason]

Rucker is a throwback to maker knowledge for the generations- FIRST!

[@frankdoner8402]

I'm amazed at how much work and progress one man can accomplish. Thank you Keith ,you the MAN!!😊

[@Krzysiek106]

I have great respect for your work, which you do solo, and I admire your ingenuity 👍👍👍. I know well what it means to work in a solo workshop, because I also work like that - but with wood, a bit easier, but at 68 I sometimes bang my head against the wall.😉

[@5x535]

It is hard to imagine what kind of a "bump" that old mill received to break both main bearing caps. That must have been a near catastrophe. Great project, Keith. Thanks for sharing the rebuild with us. Watching you cut gaskets out for a 19th-century machine on a 21st-century machine was a hoot.

[@GlennBeer]

I can imagine somebody tipping the cane mill over on one side.

[@bsteleven]

Keith just thanks for the time you take to give us all the “Vintage machine” and hands on work you share with us !

[@MyLilMule]

That's a lot of work for just one man!

[@cabrini00]

It's always amazing what you do with large pieces on your own.

[@Spinster_Phobic]

Hi Kieth "we Aussie" whom play the DRINKING GAME really need for you to say "oil" at least once every 15 mins. Thanks Love your shows 👍

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

Keith, I much prefer a triangular Babbitt scraper to the spoon type. The spoon types always seem to bounce along the top of the babbitt rather than smoothing it, especially on large bearings.

[@johnflynn5242]

Two men and a mule would have done that assembly in the past. Well done Keith!

[@charleswelch249]

Love watching you work on historic items, Keith. That's gotta be the biggest mill I've ever seen.

[@codohundo]

Hey Keith, some lessons learned from doing a lot of laser cutting, it's like any cnc sheet cutter (plasma, torch...), it's best to cut "inside out" in this example put the circles on a different layer in lightburn (select the circles and click the layer colour at the bottom) and move that layer to the top in the layer window on the right. if you cut outside in, the parts can shift and the holes will end up in the wrong spot. Doesn't always happen and sometimes it doesn't matter, but sometimes does.

[@patrickcolahan7499]

Laser is a great tool for this application. One thing you might want to do is to cut out the circles, any internal cutouts, first before the outer. This will ensure that everything stays aligned during all the operations. You should be able to input the order of cut into the lasers control. Thanks for sharing.

[@DominicFawver]

put the circles on another layer then you can change the order of cutting.

[@bradthayer6782]

If this retired machinist thing doesn’t work out, I think the longshoreman have a position waiting for you. That’s some serious heavy metal; well done.

[@garybrenner6236]

This guy is NOT a Machinist! Machinery owner, yes, Machinist, no!

[@cameronlilly4814]

How so? Can we see imperfections? Yes. Can we see knowledge and ability? Most definitely. Because I am learning horizontal milling especially, I learn a lot from this man.

[@TheDanielsherer]

You really surprised me Keith! When you got a drill out and "free-handed" drilling the set-screw hole... that's not the "that's within a couple thou" thing I expected (lol). I figured you were going to trot-out one of those fancy electro-magnetic base drills and laser-align it or something. But knowing when to use "Kentucky Windage" is why you're a master!

[@ikkentonda]

Keith bringing out the farrier tools and big wrenches makes me feel inadequate!

[@josaonline09]

You’re a hero with that anti seize

[@StevenHarris-i6t]

I’m truly amazed at the vast skill sets Keith continues to display. He moves from one to another with such ease that is breathtaking.

[@number1trucker]

I'm realy excited to see the rest of the build. I hope you can show a demonstration of the mill in use after it is rebuilt.

[@KennyP88]

What a very impressive project and for a one man shop. 👍👍👍

[@BlankBrain]

With all the precision measurements that you do every video, and how many measurement tools you have, I was surprised that the gap for the bearing was too small. Murphy gave you a visit. There's just too many things to think about when making a video and safely putting big heavy machinery together on a tight schedule. Thank you for taking the time to show us what you do.

[@russellcraven251]

What a work out.who needs a gym when you have such huge jobs.Amazing how much Keith can do by himself.Great job!

[@thom3124]

I have so much fun watching what you do. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidcperron]

Thanks for this, Keith. It’s hard to imagine there are still machines like this in use, but you are keeping them in service.

[@paulputnam2305]

Way to go, Professor. That was awesomeness extreme fun!

[@alexguir903]

You have the right tools! There is no assembling thoso parts without that gantry crane.

[@breakerbarranch5617]

TREMENDOUS! Well worth watching start to finish. You sure tamed that monster Keith ! Can't wait to see the rest of this project.

[@barney2001]

Wow, you’re sure getting into bigger and bigger jobs. Can’t help thinking that power on the chain falls would save you a lot of arm work, but it does beat hitting the gym. I don’t know if they make it, but a strong magnet would help with handling those heavy bearing caps, allowing you to pick up awkward shaped heavy pieces. In any case, it’s great to watch you (as we used to say) ‘suss’ out how you’re going to do things. Thank you.

[@jimfiles3307]

Putting a motor on the chain fall hoist would defeat the purpose of the small adjustments that you can make. Electric hoists tend to move in larger increments and that fine tuning would be lost.

[@boelensds]

laser is not cheating. it is making life better and consistent. but know how to do by hand is a good skill to have.

[@robertharker]

Feed the KZbin algorithm with a comment. Great video. Thank you!

[@ronkluwe4875]

Keith - I thought I saw that the oil holes on the top bearing caps were threaded. If so, my bet is they used an eye bolt threaded into the hole as an attachment point for lifting and setting the top cap in place. Also, great lifting practice by yourself. You never got any part of your body under the load. After seeing a brand new 300-ton rated Kevlar strap snap on the first lift of a 150-ton turbine rotor, I never get near the drop point of a lift.

[@boe4448]

Keith, I always enjoy watching your videos. This project is a very interesting because it's so big and heavy duty. Can't wait to see in running. Keep up the great work and videos. Boe

[@jimfiles3307]

I think Keith gained his experience from his first job, building the pyramids. LOL Great job Keith.

[@roscoepatternworks3471]

I built a lot of patterns for the suger mills in Hawaii years ago. Mostly bartow, scraper and pinion gears. Not sure how big those mills were, but this would be a small one. The pinion gears were all as cast teeth about 18" on the face and about 3' on the diameter. Castings were made at western steel in Seattle. 1970's era.

[@BenButler1]

That’s a HUGE mill

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Well Kieth, This is just plain great.

[@edsmachine93]

Very impressive Keith. Really getting a perspective on how massive this project is with the assembly process. Nice job on the babbitt pour. Everything is lining up perfectly. Thanks for sharing the process. Have a good week.👍🇺🇸👍

[@patrickmazzone9066]

The savior of cane mills

[@ShopHumor]

I can't get enough of your cane mill videos, Keith. I'm addicted!

[@GooseGosselin]

Awesome episode, well done.

[@thetrevor861]

Whoa ! 30 min 20 secs, that must be SOOO satisfying !

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Nice job. 😊

[@timziegler9358]

Your vision and your amazing work are an absolute joy to watch! Best wishes.

[@carlwhite8225]

Keith, this has been a great series, Thanks.

[@jimmurphy6095]

The fact that you didn't film at least as much as you did film, shows what a bear this job was. Nice work.

[@evanharriman5352]

Love that smooth editing transition you made when lifting up both sides of the gear!

[@deemstyle]

I would have thought that large gear was cast iron. I've often wondered if a lubricant would be beneficial for tapping, but everyone (typically) says cast iron needs no lube for tapping since it has graphite. You used anchor lube on it- was there a reason why? EDIT- I just had to edit to add: my god... that was an exceptional fit on those babbit bearings! This series has been fun to watch if anything- just due to the size of the parts. But really this has been a master class on getting it done. Through fighting rusty frozen parts, to moving huge chunks of metal, to turning big drums... Well done, Keith! This is phenomenal!

[@pdxRetired]

Fun to see that big drum turn so easily.

[@amateurshooter6054]

Thanks Keith

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing.👍

[@michaelscott8226]

Gotta admit it, Keith, the cane mills aren't my favorite, but a BIG cane mill, that's another story. Glad you've got good material handling equipment! Nice demonstration of how that big gear moves that monster of a roller with so much less effort than when you used your pry bar.

[@johnbaker7621]

Nice work 👍

[@frankerceg4349]

Thank you Keith!

[@terminalpsychosis8022]

Neet an electric winch on that job. Awesome stuff. Looking forward to more.

[@tonyn3123]

You have had a good workout today! Thanks.

[@masteruniverse3506]

Vintage Machinery Gym. Build those muscles by lifting HEAVY stuff!.

[@Sizukun1]

That home made "flap disc" worked better than I thought it would! I would've bought some $25 bit but your way was probably better.

[@DarrellCatt]

that looks heavvvvy!!

[@em21701]

On lightburn, change the color of the lines and use that to define the cut order by rearranging the colors in the cut stack. Cut interior features before exterior.

[@frenchcreekvalley]

I see an opportunity to power your gantry crane's trolley's horizontal movement to add in positioning heavy stuff like that. I give you tons of credit for working on heavy stuff like this mill, by the way.

[@ddblairco]

thank you

[@GWBoen]

Great video, Keith

[@paulmellor6898]

Amazing skills!

[@barney2633]

Good job well done !

[@randyholk1207]

Love to learn from your channel. Those tie wraps will cut you to pieces.. got to cut them clean to the lock or not at all. Your former company is also our friend's former job in Raleigh Durham. In '95 we met a Dr. Rees in Pensacola. Not sure how close his contact would have been with yours with Bayer. Found the channel watching Tally Ho, Sampson Boat Co., and glad to see and learn. I'm in Lee county AL.

[@SciPunk215]

Time-wise, the laser cutter can run circles around hand cutting, once the CAD is done. You can whip off another sheet of those shims faster than you can install the first set. Very useful for production runs. And the up-front time for the CAD will decrease significantly with practice.

[@ellieprice363]

Hard to believe all of that heavy assembly could be done by one man. Takes good planning and the right tools to do the job. Those heavy horse hoof nippers sure came in handy.

[@billsrq1788]

Hello from Siesta Key Florida

[@sheph7]

that is one MONSTER cane mill. Impressive work. From my armchair seems to have a bunch of close tolerances for something sooooooo MONSTER.

[@vinh7251]

Henceforth a pouring mandrel shall be known as a Rucker barbell. 😁 Amazing vid, as always.

[@dennisclapp7527]

Thanks Keith. The laser cutting was interesting.

[@Altoid777]

looking forward to when you finish the Cane Mill Restoration.

[@BrianAndrews73]

Great video, very interesting to see modern laser technology doing a small part to get this beast going.

[@JimmySauls]

Love your content

[@cpbethlehem6548]

Nice work. If you weren't so far away I would love to come and help..

[@richardbrobeck2384]

keith that cane mill is coming along really nice and those Laser engravers are really hand we have a glowforge in the classroom !

[@johnritchie3889]

I can’t believe you move all that heavy equipment around by yourself.

[@charlesvanvalkenburg7592]

You do amazing work, and I am impressed with what you're able to accomplish working by yourself. If I were running a shop like yours, especially with all the heavy machinery that you repair, I would give some serious thought to hiring a shop assistant.

[@cameronlilly4814]

Very cool video!

[@johngermain3535]

Nothing like a Rucker Rodeo in your shop

[@russtuff]

Sheesh that thing is a monster. Amazing work as always.

[@PeteRondeau]

Nice to see that even with the modification you used a square head screw. Looked right at home.

[@richardbennett6053]

totally fantastic Keith, I can't wait to see this mill finished.

[@garybrenner6236]

I can't wait to see the Stoker Engine finished!

[@barryolson3998]

What a nice workout!

[@tomtke7351]

might want to first cut circles then cut out shim. Learned this from C&C equipment metal C-n-C cutting.

[@deathk26]

It's not a waterjet or metal cutting CNC. It's laser cut so nothing should be moving during the cutting process.

[@tomtke7351]

​@@deathk26thx for clarification...... What keeps cut pieces from moving, if only slightly?

[@ljackson8220]

nice work

[@funbricknj]

Like I always said you can do anything if you have the right tools

[@RJMachine62]

In Lightburn, you can change the color of all the circles then give them the same settings or custom settings, then drag that operation/color to the top. Then they will cut the circles first then the outside last.

[@davidhudson5452]

Its getting big again well done

[@larrytucker2938]

What a work-out, barely a one man job. I hope they realize the effort involved in this major challenge.

[@markmonroe7330]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@miltonbrady1795]

Keith, you need to get yourself a multi tool. For small cutting and sanding jobs there is nothing better.

[@larrydeforrest5744]

Nice work, Rigging looks safe, alot of head scratching involved. Thanks

[@timf6916]

Nice, Good job. Yes some heavy lifting. Maybe for Christmas you will get some nice electrical hoist.

[@paulkinzer7661]

You are really moving quickly on this project! Retirement seems to have greatly upped your game on the projects you record, and we're grateful to see all that you're doing. As a recently retired person myself, it took a while to get used to the idea that, hey, my schedule is my own now, and I can re-think so much of how and what I do, and get things done much more quickly -- or slowly. It's up to me. I like it.

[@larrywalker7759]

I have been retired a little over 1 year myself and I 100% agree with you.😁

[@butter262]

Good morning

[@Hastings38601]

Huge job!