Evening my Friend,
Sorry, I thought I had answered your post. Maybe it was one of those
things that still plague me.
Anyway, I made the first toll to cut the Spherical shape of the bead
head and it turned out to small, math miss-calculation on my part. I made
the second tool to cut the bead head and it was close, but I think to large
and looked awkward on the hook. I finely got the internal taper figured out
and the proper bore size to clear the barb, but it still looked "odd" and
out of proportion. The last helical arch cutting tool I made was just about
perfect on the money. I had the bore size and taper figured out and the
test aluminum "bead" looked good and in proportion, could be tuned a bit,
but I think it is close enough that no one would notice. I had located some
"Owlet Bronze bushing material to make the proto type out of at a local
scrap yard, but missed it when the VA started having me make a run a week
to ABQ for tests and appointments.
Since then I have been a road warrior, (about to end thank the Lord),
with 3 to 4 trips a month to ABQ to the VA Hospital. Bad thing is it takes
me 3 or 4 days to get recovered from a trip there. Now that I have about
16#'s of stainless and High Strength Aluminum and a bunch of leather on my
left leg and about 6#'s of re-enforced braces on my right knee, traveling
gets a bit interesting. Shop time is OK, as long as I plan ahead and take
my pain meds on time, (750 mg of Vicodin every 6 hours and 1000mg of
Salsalate every 4 hours, and a bunch I won't go into), I can do fine.
I must apologize to you, after your mail, (that I thought I answered),
I spent a morning in the machine shop area trying to get things together so
I could see where I was. I found some bar and round stock that I had used
for the test pieces, and the last Helical Arch tool I had made, but nothing
else. When I questioned Theresa and Amanda about it I got some answers.
When I was on one of my 3+ day trips to the VA in ABQ we had some serious
storms. It lifted all the roofing on the machine shop side and basically
tore up the roof. Amanda went out in the middle of the storm and moved
everything that was getting soaked and covered the lathe and vertical mill
with plastic she could scrounge at the time. All the machine tools are
acceptable at this time, but I have yet to find the hook and the prototype
Bead I had made.
I am so sorry my friend that I did not keep you on top of this, and I
basically dropped the ball. I have to head to ABQ Sunday morning the 3rd
for some dermatology and allergy tests Monday the 4th and some new X-Rays
and a CT Scan and a new MRI. (Sounds like a great morning, right??)
I will not be in much shape to shop on Monday, I will adjust my
departure time from here so I can make a stop at the Sportsman's Warehouse
in ABQ. Rodney already verified that it was open on Sundays so I will make
a trip over there and see if I can find a replacement hook to work from. I
would hope they will have it.
Since I have the tools already made, or should I say the right tool,
and most of my notes that did not get soaked and smeared. I should be able
to get a prototype test piece out to you for approval.
Again, I apologize for not being more diligent in keeping you up to
date. I am the only excuse for it, and a poor one at that. I am still
trying to get a few things straightened out on this stupid computer, but
with time and a large enough hammer, I w"will" eventually win.
Again, I apologize for my delinquency, there is no one to blame but me.
Hay, but at least if I have "locks" engaged on my leg braces I can stand
like a "post" at the mill and lathe. Who needs a stool to set on???
Will let you know what I found out and got from my trip to ABQ, probably
wont be till some time Tuesday the 5th, It takes me a bit to recover from 7
hours on the road, (most of it in bed with a whole bunch of meds.). But, I
will let you know if I got a replacement hook, (better than trying to
figure out where Amanda may have put the other one in the "mess" I call a
machine shop). If I cant find one, let me know what it cost with shipping
before the 1st, and I will set aside the $$ to fire off to you if ABQ is a
wash. After hearing about your giant flies, I would feel honored to be a
part of your new ones. And because I fell behind and let other things cloud
my memory and fall behind I would make the big Beads for you just for the
cost of materials.
Again, I apologize for not staying on top of things I should, meds and
other things are no excuse. At least I have the right tool built to make
them.
Again, I hope you accept my apology.
Jimi
Jimi,
Back when you started the materials swap (last year), I sent you a 14/0
hook, a drawing with measurements, and some cash to get started turning out
some large bead-heads.
I have emailed you a couple of times off list and you have not replied.
Please inform me of the status of this.
Don
