--- r e f l e X i o n ---

[shazza]

People seem to have different experiences with the pumps ... I also ran mine on the neoprene pads they come with - meant it as a temporary solution, but they never got hot, so left them. 3 pumps ran for over 6 months 24/7. I did have a lot of air flow in the case, so that probably helped. Vibration also turned out not to be an issue. I don't think it's the optimum way to do it, but it can work.

[voigts]

When I ran my DDC-1, after hearing all of the issues with the bottom heating up, I put a small chipset fan on mine and ran it for 2 years 24x7 before migrating to my current Aquastream XT. My DDC by itself would get very warm on the bottom without some kind of airflow.

As long as you don't wear gloves, its all good

As far as padding for the pumps, there is nothing to match Petras gel stuff. That stuff is incredible. It works so much better than any neoprene pad, and it is clear.

[Xion X2]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

For the pumps, I'm going to stick to my original plan and mount a foam pad under the base between them and the shelves. I'll be venting hot air out the roof of the chamber, so it shouldn't be too warm in there.

voigts -- I don't know if you've had a chance to run your blades yet, but if not you'll be happy to know that they cut pretty well once installed properly. I cut some pieces with them tonight, and they're turning out pretty good. The blade chews through the aluminum fast. Much faster than a jig as I guess it should be. Left some filing, of course, but after filing the cuts were close to square. So it looks like I'll be cutting metal on the table saw until I decide if I'll invest in a shear or not.

[Xion X2]

I know that many of you are probably tiring of shop pictures, so I put a short collage together of previously unreleased shots. refleXion has been in the works for awhile, but I'm doing my best to ensure that the long wait will be worth it.. both for me and for those who have followed the project since its inception.

-Michael

[nlancaster]

ah, so it looks like you are trying to have it finished in may? what might be going on in may that you want to have it finished by then?

[Xion X2]

ah, so it looks like you are trying to have it finished in may? what might be going on in may that you want to have it finished by then?

Nothing in particular. That's just how much longer I figure I have to go.

[voigts]

voigts -- I don't know if you've had a chance to run your blades yet, but if not you'll be happy to know that they cut pretty well once installed properly. I cut some pieces with them tonight, and they're turning out pretty good. The blade chews through the aluminum fast. Much faster than a jig as I guess it should be. Left some filing, of course, but after filing the cuts were close to square. So it looks like I'll be cutting metal on the table saw until I decide if I'll invest in a shear or not.

I haven't yet as I haven't started on my new build that is in planning (I am wrestling whether to stick with water or give air a chance again as its been 5 years since I've air cooled). Glad they work now as I know they are a much better solution that using a jig saw. I am curious how well they cut acrylic as far as the edges go. They should leave a much cleaner cut than regular saw blades do. I just got 5 sheets of 1' x 1' cast acrylic.

[whuzabi]

its enough to put a anti vibration pad under the laing. take a look to the german forums everybody uses a shoggy sandwitch against the vibrations without any problems. so go foward for updates

[Xion X2]

its enough to put a anti vibration pad under the laing. take a look to the german forums everybody uses a shoggy sandwitch against the vibrations without any problems. so go foward for updates

Thanks, whuzabi. I still think the same.

I haven't yet as I haven't started on my new build that is in planning (I am wrestling whether to stick with water or give air a chance again as its been 5 years since I've air cooled). Glad they work now as I know they are a much better solution that using a jig saw. I am curious how well they cut acrylic as far as the edges go. They should leave a much cleaner cut than regular saw blades do. I just got 5 sheets of 1' x 1' cast acrylic.

voigts, if they don't work well, then you should invest in some of those Irwin 180T blades that I used earlier that are listed for "plastic/plywood" use. They've worked really well.

But yeah, the Mastercraft blades are working out well and have influenced me to wait on a shear. Don't really think that I need it at this time since these cut close to square.

[kgtiger]

It's good to see it all coming together now mate, looks good.
But No Gloves when using power tools (router table)Please!

[Xion X2]

But No Gloves when using power tools (router table)Please!

KG, please keep this stuff to PM, bud. I've already requested this once. I do not want this thread to dissolve into a bunch of safety lecturing that people will have to wade through to get to the project updates.

You have your own view on this which I'm aware of by now, but my stance is that any time I am working with sharp metal then I am going to wear gloves. I'm not going to risk cutting my hand open for the very very slim chance that I get my hand lodged in something.

I truly appreciate your concern, but at the same time, I expect a little tolerance for those who may not be of the same opinion as you. Not everyone believes the same about not wearing gloves. Just for example, Gianluca is one of the most skilled modders that I've ever seen. He's the creator of "Dark Blade" from MDPC and a CNC extremist, and you'll find that he also wears gloves on occasion.



I pulled this photo from his worklog here, below:

http://www.g69t.it/public/Dbrs/DBRS_584_L.jpg

My point is that it's kind of a mixed bag on the subject. Some do, some don't. It comes down to what type of work you do. If I'm working on something where there's no chance at all of cutting myself, then I haven't been wearing gloves. If, on the other hand, I'm routing sheet metal where shards and splinters are flying off that have a good chance of splintering my hands, I will wear them and be careful to stay as far from the bit as possible.

[Mabyboi]

Hey... Hey Xion... what the crap are you doing over there? we need more updates!

[illidan]

he's drilling some holes pssst :p

[Xion X2]

Hey... Hey Xion... what the crap are you doing over there?

Taking a breather.

This project has now hit the 5 month point where I've been continuously working on some area, be it design, CAD work, photography, fab work, etc., so I've stepped away for a little while to recharge my batteries and refocus for the home stretch. Still checking into the forums occasionally, though.

[Wezly]

Please, take your time. There is more than enough for us to review here.

I hope it's more spring/summer-like in NC than PA.

One day of sun, and then nasty rain and cold winds....

[Xion X2]

Please, take your time. There is more than enough for us to review here.

I hope it's more spring/summer-like in NC than PA.

One day of sun, and then nasty rain and cold winds....

Thanks, bud. We have rain here too, but at least it's been warm throughout the week. What I hate is when it's both cold and raining. Or cold and ice/snow/sleet. I'm a spring/summer kind of guy all the way.

I'm just kicking back, relaxing and watching some of the ACC tournament this weekend. No workshop for a few days feels good, but I'm sure I'll get back to it before long.

[Mabyboi]

Taking a breather.

This project has now hit the 5 month point where I've been continuously working on some area, be it design, CAD work, photography, fab work, etc., so I've stepped away for a little while to recharge my batteries and refocus for the home stretch. Still checking into the forums occasionally, though.

see, you cut out the smilies... now it makes me look like an @$$, when i was just trying to be fun and bug you for more updates

[millertime359]

That is coming out really nice bud. Keep up the good work.

[kgtiger]

Hay Michael do what ever you want behind your closed work shop doors mate, I don't care, there your hands.
But it's not all about you.
Not everyone who sees this work log will know just how dangerous this practice is and they don't need misleading information either.

So stop showing photo's of you wearing glove when using table saws, router tables and now unforchantly other people using drill presses.
I feel it is totaly irresponsible to and then acknowledge (however slim you feel it is) that there is a danger in wearing glove when using the above mentioned power tools.
Then fob it off as' It's ok, as long as your safe, and "I'm not going to risk cutting my hand open for the very very slim chance that I get my hand lodged in something".
Then ask for this topic to be hidden away in PMs, like it's out of sight out of mind but then keep showing photos of you and now other people wearing glove is just totaly wrong Michael.

As for Gianluca, so what, I also feel he is totaly irresponsible too, if he is such a skilled modder he should know better than that.
Maybe no one has said to his to wake up and pull his head in and to stop encouraging this dangerous practice.

As for filling up your work log with a bunch of annoying safety lecturing that people will have to wade through, if just one person gets the message then I am happy.

For me there is no gray area on this subject, it's just black and white.

[Liderc]

It's up to him to decide what precautions he wishes to perform, this is after all his work log. I think you should drop this, or keep it to PM's as he requested earlier and prevent derailing.

[penguins]

I finally got through this a month a go :O too bad it took till now for activation to get through .

but now that it has I can tell you that THIS IS AWESOME!

from stock pictures of the danger den products I wrote them off as completely ugly. but even without the nickel plating ( which looks awesome btw ) they look sooooo good looking in your photographs!!

you've gotten me more interested in taking nicer pictures ( my dad's a photography nut so that makes it easy to get my feet wet )

keep up the good work.

[voigts]

Ok already, the gloves point has been made and beaten to death.

kgtiger, you've made your point as have the rest of us so please drop it. At this point you are thread-crapping.

[shazza]

OK all - officially asking that we move past the gloves issue, as Xion X2 has requested.

[Xion X2]

I finally got through this a month a go :O too bad it took till now for activation to get through .

but now that it has I can tell you that THIS IS AWESOME!

from stock pictures of the danger den products I wrote them off as completely ugly. but even without the nickel plating ( which looks awesome btw ) they look sooooo good looking in your photographs!!

you've gotten me more interested in taking nicer pictures ( my dad's a photography nut so that makes it easy to get my feet wet )

keep up the good work.

Thank you very much, bud. I appreciate the compliments.

Take advantage of that opportunity to learn from your dad and his photography skills. You're fortunate to have someone close by to learn from as I did not.

[Xion X2]

Some new photos of all the blocks on the new board. I've been held up waiting on some raw materials to get here. I ordered some Lexan for a new idea that I'm hoping to incorporate into the build. More to share on this soon.