SHOP MADE TOOLING . MACHINING HEAVY DUTY LARGE VEE BLOCKS . Part 1

A heavy duty large set of Vee Blocks are machined from plate steel .

[@MrValhem265]

great work Max, shed be expensive to run as Olga prefers Wodka as coolant Fluid 😎

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Lol , Cheers . 👍

[@petegraham1458]

Always nice to see and hear a shaper working , don’t fuss with it if it requires grinding a new tool.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@hilltopmachineworks2131]

Of course the shaper. 👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Lol , no worries . I have the ram off it at the moment , for inspection & adjustment ! 👍

[@johnfry9010]

OLGA never disappoints , that is an awesome machine !

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@billdoodson4232]

Olga sounds like quite an accommodating machine. 😂😊 Tickling the Amal carb brings back memories of my old Triumph 3TA, she always needed a good tickle from cold. Must admit the old Suzuki V Strom I bought just to get to the TT this year, starts a lot better.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Olga is quite accommodating ! 👍

[@johnwilimczyk4188]

Shaper Max

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@joell439]

Vote for shaper here. Love the pictures at the end. If it’s not much trouble, please keep sharing those pictures from years gone by. Cheers 👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries . 👍

[@paulrayner4514]

Do you have to bolt them down? Just stick some keys in. You will be workholding whatever is in the blocks anyway, wouldn't that be good enough?

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Yes , they need to be bolted down if there is multiple parts . Also you never know if they have to be set at an angle to the table . Cheers 👍

[@be007]

why not cut those v-blocks with a bandsaw, so you dont have that hardening wit oxy flame cut ? cheers ben.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

I do not have a large vertical bandsaw & to cut 520mm of 50mm plate would take forever ! Cheers 👍

[@mudnducs]

Max what kind/brand of mill is that? Thanks Max!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Stanko 6T83W . 👍

[@arffadailey8055]

Quickly becoming my favourite engineering KZbin channel. Sorry Kurtis,Karen & homeless. Thanks Max.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@jimpritz4169]

Every time i watch one of your videos i can't get over the fact that you built this entire shop. You're a man of many talents. Thanks for the videos full of tips and tricks.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks . It was a mega undertaking . Cheers 👍

[@Rustinox]

46:45 Or maybe just mill a slot on both sides and use clamps. A bit like those precision vises. Just an idea.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

I did consider that option . But it would not suit the table on the HBM . Cheers 👍

[@hmw-ms3tx]

I like the shaper but there's no getting around the fact that the horizontal spindle on Olga is the perfect tool to machine the ends. Are you getting used to the push button controls on Olga? My HBM is like that and I found it awkward at first. Once I got used to it I liked it a lot. That 385 is a big machine. My brother owns a 375 but I haven't yet seen it in person. It spends most of its time stripping overburden in a limestone quarry. Ken

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers Ken . Yes , slowly getting used to the buttons . I prefer the mechanical levers though . They have that piece of mind for reliability in my mind ! Too much climbing to get to anything on those larger excavators . 👍

[@jamest.5001]

You earned my subscription today. How could I not subscribe to a great technical , glad I Found a it. Have a awesome day!!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@MicheleGuglielmotti-ql9fm]

Hi Max, i like very much this and all the videos you are posting ! Add one for Olga horizontal milling .. cheers !

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@larrymac8538]

SHAPER please Max. 👍 Plus what grade of steel are these blocks being made from ?

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Mild steel scrap plate . 250 or 350 grade probably . 👍

[@BundyBearsShed]

I have business insurance for the channel that goes through Qld Tractor spares as well but it was a seperate policy for sure.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

We had to change ours . Not many will do a 9 acre block with an old asbestos house & a part time home business . 👍

[@Marcuscalafatty]

Mate you make me piss my pants every time I watch . From one machinist to another keep it up you are the real deal . Would like to come and visit one day and suss out all your gear. I am guessing you drink a bit of piss ?

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Knock back the odd one or two Great Northerns ! Cheers 👍

[@thesjyoungjr]

Hey Max, thanks for letting us hang out in the shop. Good old Ogla is good girl, keep keep her lubedand she's a happy girl🎉

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@alanremington8500]

Cant help noticing your nice, bright, loaded w/machinery shop !! Thanks for the videos !

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@warrenjones744]

385 slew ring change is a decent job! Biggest ones I have done is 345 and 245. Enough Iron to squash you dead if you don't follow good practice. with good tools. Every once and a while a job like that is fun. But as the years advance, the less so I am afraid. I am happy to take a consulting role. Damn I almost forgot...shaper, why not, its a much nicer finish IMHO

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries . We used to have a lot of 245's over here . We had 3 at my other job . 👍

[@paulhammond7489]

I'll cast my vote for the shaper (we don't get to see a good bit of shaper action too often) That Slew Ring change looks like it may have had a challenge or two. How old was your dad in that photo? :)

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

The slew ring went relatively easier than it looked . Dad would have been in his early 20's back then ! Back in the days when the Post & Telegraph office had their own machine shops . 👍

[@paulhammond7489]

@@swanvalleymachineshop Good to hear it went well. I'm officially as old as dirt, so can remember when many companies had their own small machine shops as part of their maintenance set-up, mostly gone these days, but it give the independent shops work :)

[@TedRoza]

G'day Max. Nice big plates. I liked the emery cloth idea, which worked out well. What Speed did you use, when facing the plates. & of course we want to see the Shaper in action. Better than watching fish swimming in a glass tank. 😅😊😊. Good video, catch you on the next Installment.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers . All the speeds & feeds used were in the video ! 👍

[@donmadere4237]

I have a Cincinnati 24” Shaper so my vote is Shaper!😊

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@1crazypj]

Hi Max, I vote for shaper, we don't see enough shaper work. I guess you'll be doing the V on it as well? I don't really miss working on construction equipment but do miss the money and interesting characters I met on site around Britain. (almost 30 years ago now)

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries . 👍

[@MrValhem265]

would hard flexible plastic be better@48.42 time ? it would fill the voids after clamping vice?

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Plastic would move , then job would not be secure . Cheers 👍

[@DavidSellars-b8l]

My old line burner is probably 80-90 years old, maybe more. Still does the job. Don't use it much but, when I do, the cut is first rate.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@matttradie1341]

Its a good job for a shaper. Making them a matched pair and shaping in the vee and the relief would probably making for an interesting setup too. No land speed records will be obtained though 😂

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@clonoid]

I'm a bit surprised you don't already have some large vee blocks, given the amount of tooling and machinery you have !

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Now i have them ! A lot of tooling still has to be made . Cheers 👍

[@natedoerfler652]

Normally, I'd vote for the shaper but think the finish would match better with the horizontal mill. 👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@wallbawden5511]

Was looking at the chips coming off the cutter with the odd ones glowing red hot trying to tell you that you had a chipped or dull tips but you picked Up through the finish any reason you could not have used a fly cutter on it for a better finish My vote goes for the face Mill not a big fan of Shaper finish but either will and I know which one you will use nice job Cheers Cheers

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

I do not have a fly cutter for this machine . I prefer the speed & finish from a face mill . Cheers 👍

[@stevennederhiser7125]

Would pin the blocks together and use the shaper. Finish the sides and the Vee's. Enjoy the content!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@kempy666999]

Great vid - thanks Got to be the shaper 😁 I wonder what tales those pieces of steel can tell before Max rescued them? All the best, Paul

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@dikhed1639]

Hey Max, what is this, bait & switch? Where's the 2nd part? I want to see how you mill out those "V"s.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Editing it this weekend ! 👍

[@johnlee8231]

I for one don't mind seeing you finsih up with the horizontal miller. It'll be faster so I'll get to see the project advance farther along in an episode.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@markschweter6371]

Question from a total novice... Wouldn't lying the large I parallels flat on the wide side and then setting the small I parallels on them be a tad more stable?

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

You will see in part 2 ! Cheers 👍

[@Rooster52]

Max, you keep it real, don't change a thing. :~} Great info on Machining & Insurance... and I'm guessing you don't have any problem sleeping at night! GW

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No problem there ! Cheers 👍

[@TOMUCHLUX]

I may have missed it but what steel did you use for these V Blocks? Great videos. Love your work.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Just scrap of unknown type , most likely 250 0r 350 grade plate . 👍

[@alasdairhamilton1574]

Max. A bit of shaper action please. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@GraemeStephens]

I didn't know you had a Horse and Cart ? ............. but you do have a Pony Tail 🦄

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Lol , 👍

[@markramsell454]

I've seen machinists who want a great finish use a fly cutter on the last pass. Looks like a mirror.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

I prefer the face mill . I do not own a fly cutter & do not have a boring head that can be used for fly cutting in this machine yet . Cheers 👍

[@MyMiniHomeWorkshop]

I'm easy and as they say over here in Thailand, "Up to you" 👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@markrand652]

I would prefer to see the set up for using the horizontal mill for the ends, either though is fine too. Good video thanks!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@williammurfin6354]

Nice sized blocks Max. Naw use the mill not the shaper.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@MPenzlin]

regading the sides: What would you do, when effort and time matters?

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Olga , would be quickest by far ! 👍

[@DrKnow65]

Vote for Olga for all the faces, rotate the head for the "V", use the horizontal for the ends, etc. :)

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@matthewmeuleman9872]

A note for you Max WD40 stands for Water Despersant number 40

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Yes & it makes a good cutting lube . 👍

[@acmemachining]

Those are going to be a nice set of V-Blocks. I wouldn't worry about incorporating the hold down with the v-blocks, it may limit their usefulness. Thanks for sharing.

[@brianleduc2244]

I agree here. He's off to a good start but I see that I'll change to measurement of the blocks so they can be used a set of standard boxs of what working with like a set of 1 2 3 blocks the hold downs I'll cut a keyway into the botton sides a hold down there as it can be moved any way that's needed

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries . I have to do them , so they will fit all of my machines . Cheers 👍

[@richardmills6505]

What advantage was it to weld them together before cutting the waste out , Max ?

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

So the guide rollers for the oxy stay on a flat plane . Being 50mm plate , it's easy to cut crooked otherwise . 👍

[@dennisbjones]

I hate to see shapers scrapped too but they were superceded for a reason and it makes sense to do the ends in the mill.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Superseded overnight by the face mill ! Cheers 👍

[@benpeterson9835]

Need some tall jaws . I vote a shaper as well though 😂 good work mate

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@timw2407]

nice squib on ticklin an amil, and the bennie to top it off. guessin u had a bonnie

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

77 Bonnie back in the 80's ! 👍

[@melgross]

I always prefer the finish of a face mill to that of a shaper.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Same 👍

[@dutchgray86]

Would be nice to see some shaper work.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@TheAyrCaveShop]

Hi Max, I vote shaper with a shear tool finishing cut. Enjoying how a couple of V blocks can be an interesting and educational build. There’s a lot going on when you break it down. Love the detail and the commentary. Olga is a happy girl with a little lube up 👍 Nice dad photo at the end … See you in part two , ATB…Cheers….

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers Dean . 👍

[@tates11]

Why did you go to a sharp corner? For larger diameters there could be a flat or radius at the bottom of the vee. You could then either have a lower block or hold much larger parts using a wider vee. I don't get how you could hold tiny bars in these anyway. I would make a wider vee with a flat at the root and have removable flat bars to fit onto the angled faces for smaller diameters.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

The blocks are not for tiny parts . 👍

[@tates11]

@@swanvalleymachineshop like I said, so why go so deep and sharp with the vee if you don't need it. Either a wider vee with a flat bottom for bigger diameters or a shorter block with the same width vee.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

@@tates11 If i need a wider Vee for larger diameters , i will make a set with a shallower vee . This will cover most of what i do .

[@jasonhull5712]

Like a hot knife through butter.. oh eh, it is a hot knife. Haha The rapid traversing of ol Olga is pretty impressive for a large table like that. I actually thought that footage of the rapid traversing was sped up but looking at the spindle speed it wasn’t, that’s just how fast it moves. Quite impressive in my opinion. Gonna be a handy matched set of V-Blocks Max. 👍🏻

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@CastIronMachine]

Show us some shaper action :)

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Ok . 👍

[@tonyjennings8034]

Love the channel some shaper please Max

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@alandawson2813]

In the shaper young max,

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@RalfyCustoms]

Well g'day Max, just back from a Shovelhead ride, over to our Clubhouse and ready for a Saturday afternoons chill, looking forward to watching this one for sure, thanks for sharing mate, have a great one 👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers Mate . Taking Harry The Bastard out for a stroll ! 👍

[@DudleyToolwright]

Didn't your mother ever tell ya that if you are gonna make some cool kit like this, you need to make some for everyone. Very nice work, Max.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Lol , Cheers Rob 👍

[@kimknowles3681]

Good vid. Do it in the shapper.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@seldendaniel8819]

Horizontal mill!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

That it is ! I still have to clean up the horizontal arbors & make a new master bush . 👍

[@mcgama88]

Hello to Max and /Channel. Take notice, where the layout, the goal set to machine component is simple and first instance. As to a larger precision. Where, I can hope to copy process. Some thoughts need to start as simplicity. A reminder to shop process. Thanks, Max, for being my teacher. I so like that gentle guidance where I can simply hope to match process to work needs at my shop bench. it's fun to see action. regards. McGary

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@kenmcclure4562]

Ends on the shaper please

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@wskabrond]

I vote for the shaper.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@alandawson2813]

Hello young max,

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@davidbawden6567]

Shaper please Max...

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@frankerceg4349]

Thank you Max!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@kevinmilne2966]

Shaper for me max

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@StuartsShed]

Great to see the process as always - picked up a few more tips. I’m a fan of that horizontal mill, but I’m just enjoying the process whichever way it goes. Cheers.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@Dustin_the_wind]

Thanks, Max.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@AaronEngineering]

G'day Max. Love that big mill of yours. She ploughs through that steel like tractor on steroids mate. Catch you on the next one Max. Cheers, Aaron.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks Aaron 👍

[@honeycuttracing]

Shaper please

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@johnbishop9245]

Shaper!!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@donsipes]

Shaper😁

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@apollorobb]

shaper

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@BruceBoschek]

Every video of yours makes me love your shop all the more. That was a brilliant undertaking. The first machine I used was a shaper because everyone else wanted to get right on the lathe. I made a nice, little machinist's hammer on the shaper and am always delighted to see one in action, so there is my vote. Thanks for another excellent video.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers . A little Alba shaper was my first machine not counting a drill press ! 👍

[@willemvantsant5105]

Hi Max, made my Eclipse copy vee blocks 55 years ago on an Elliott shaper, the clamps were the most tedious parts to make. Even jewelld them with lapping paste. Still use them today. Noticed Olga has electro/mechanical braking on the rapids, no over run, nice feature, complex arrangement.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@paulcurtis2779]

Super cool. . the V Blocks will be very handy especially with the Key's to make sure they're exactly on center for both tables. . Great job.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@Randysshop]

Hi Max. The shaper gives a nice finish, however with the same machine finish on all sides it just looks better. IMO Cheers

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@terrycannon570]

You are wearing winter clothes and it was 103 F here yesterday. I've been waiting until late afternoon to work in my shop. I have been sweating like the only boy at the family reunion. Looking forward to part #2. I love shaper work but also love seeing the big Russian mill at work.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@mikeyjohnson9596]

Good old Olga may not be the belle of the ball but she always puts out! Thanks for the video Max. Cheers from US 🍺

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@theoutbackshed]

Another nice build Max. Cheers SteveO

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@tommyvik1010]

Another great video Max, always enjoyable to see a shaper in action. I bet Olga does the jobb faster. Don't waste time and money.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Olga will do in seconds what a shaper can do in minutes ! Cheers 👍

[@ThePottingShedWorkshop]

A vote for the shaper here! I like your plan for a baseplate, much more flexible.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@624Dudley]

G’Day Max - Yep, I’m voting for the shaper. Thanks for the still photos at the end 👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@lonniebrock3282]

Max back in the Early seventies we called them traveling torches on a track they're great for lot of cutting

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries . They used to make a similar thing called a Squirt Mobile to hold a mig gun . 👍

[@paulbyerlee2529]

I always called a creeper cutter a quickie however I realise that term can have different interpretations 😂

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Yes , same thing . Quick cut is probably the more modern term . 👍

[@Darkrif1957]

Hi Max the V blocks are going to be a sweet addition to your shop mate ,nice work 👍👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@dockerjade]

Thanks for the great videos. Always love seeing some shaper action.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@samrodian919]

Great vid Max. Shaper action for me please!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Cheers 👍

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Great video max, keep'um coming.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@peter3217]

great video Max, my baby shaper votes for the daddy shaper.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

No worries 👍

[@TrPrecisionMachining]

very ggod video friend Max

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@AllanBirch-yw4cc]

Another great video, Max. Shop made tools are always great to watch!

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@bostedtap8399]

Definitely a great addition to the shop Max. Nicely done

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍

[@billawad154]

Always a sense of satisfaction making shop made tools.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Thanks 👍