Sometimes It PAYS To Be a Machinist

[rake60]

As most of you know, I work as a Maintenance Technician for a window manufacturing company.

This past week we had a presence switch break on a machine that happened to be on the busiest
production line. We found this:

The retaining cap was cracked through and the brass bushing and plunger button were gone.
The machine will not run without that switch. We didn't have anything in our stock to replace it so
the only option was to try and patch it up to work until a new switch could be shipped in.

I ended up making a one piece button out of nylon to replace the original bushing and button.
The back side needed a small blind bore with a larger counter bore.
This is meatball machining at best, but within about 25 minutes I came up with this.

It's a little worse for wear now but it did hold up for the three days that it took for a new switch
to arrive for a proper repair.

It's nice to have a good old lathe in the Maintenance Shop!

I'm pretty sure that 12 X 48" South Bend is older than me but it can still do what it has to
when it needs to. (Even if it isn't pretty!)

Rick

 

[Powder keg]

You get payed??? I thought you did it for Fun) Looks like a good job that got things done.

 

[rake60]

I used to get paid for being a machinist.
Now the paycheck is for being a mechanically oriented computer geek. scratch.gif

It's still nice to be able to do a little productive machine work while on the clock.

Rick

 

[b.lindsey]

Nice one Rick...and just think of how much that 25 minutes saved in lost production too! That alone should warrant some TLC time for that little South Bend

Bill

 

[Deanofid]

You and the old lathe probably saved your company a gob and a wad in down time, Rick.
Good going.

(Even if it isn't pretty!)

Fhttt.. I think it's beautiful!

Dean

 

[kcmillin]

Wow, 25 minute fix, and you still found stole time to take pictures to show us. :big: :big:

Kel

 

[idahoan]

Good Job Rick

I have worked as an equipment maintenance tech for over 26 years; I can't even count the times that having access to the machine shop has saved our bacon. Years ago we had a dedicated maintenance shop; now we just use some of the equipment in the R&D machine shop.

Dave

 

[kustomkb]

Nice job, I'm sure your piece will last longer than the "new" one.

 

[steamer]

Kicking ^&^@ and talking names! Way to go Rick!

Dave