Re: Speaking of Blacksmithing

On 6/15/2025 3:00 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:102n23o$124vc$1@dont-email.me...
 On 6/15/2025 10:56 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

Today's flea market treasure is a lightly used Ridgid 65-RA 1" to 2" adjustable pipe threading die.
https://www.zoro.com/ridgid-manual-pipe-threaders-1-in-to-2-in-rod-no- rod-bolt-no-bolt-36565/i/G2941495/?
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That's an expensive bit of kit.
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Over $1000 new, much less on eBay, comments complain that they are heavy and awkward. This one was from an estate IIRC and he asked and got $10. It's an old model, closer examination showed no chips or oil to indicate that it's ever been used.
 Instead of tapered cutters it moves straight ones outward with cams as the thread progresses, since it clamps to the pipe and has a positive screw feed. There are suggestions it can cut NPS straight threads somehow, and adjust the depth of cut.
 Apparently if you purposely misadjust the pipe clamp stops it can cut a drooping or slightly angled thread to ensure positive drainage in the pipe. The newer model eliminates that option/mistake.
 I use 2" pipe for hoists and inch and above for mechanical structures like a swiveling and rising solar panel mount. 1" pipe is the largest that fits in my lathe spindle bore.
 It was an interesting visit. I chatted with a woman promoting her self- help book and a man selling his tool invention. Neither was close to a profit, which reinforced my decision not to make and peddle my ideas. I mentioned my sink spray for the shower online and later saw a version in Home Depot, but it didn't sell. Apparently the constant droning about climate change is all talk and no action.
 Almost the only 3D printed items I see for sale are fantasy figures, very rarely something useful. The practical items are still wood or ceramic, fabric or leather. I haven't seen anything from a home machine shop.
 

Usually home or small machine shops get into a specialty area related to a hobby or special interest.  Like I make fishing lure molds (primarily) and a few other things.  One fellow I know makes air gun parts.  More than a few airgun makers are or started as home shops.  I believe Wicked Air Rifles started that way.  One fellow I know makes aluminum AR15 pistol grips and heavy aluminum sonar brackets as a side business (but he runs a full on production shop).  There are a number of RC hobbyists making parts at home.  One very talented surgeon I know designs and machines prototype orthopedic devices in a spare bedroom in his house not to far from here.  Most start out doing it on the side, build some reputation in their interest community and they grow.  I know of one guy who has a steady side business 3D printing plastic shims for glad hands.   Lot of people use 3D printing to supplement some other production or semi production process like metal casting.
Generally though it has to be something you are passionate enough about to work at like a real job.
My son's 3D hobby got him in with a buddy of mine and got him a teaching assistant job at the local community college, and I am sure that had some impact on his job running the machine shop and the hydrodynamics lab at the associated university.  Okay to be fair he mostly prints fantasy figures.  LOL.  We have done some experiments testing 3D models downloaded from the internet before spending expensive metal and machine time on them, and we have made master print molds to be able to cast silicone molds for resin casting more practical items.
There are a lot more people than you think making stuff in their home shop as a real going concern.  I am not a unicorn.
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Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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