Machinery issue affecting some orders (1 Viewer)

[David Spragg]

Just tell me when you need me to move to Maine.

Looks like you get a direct flight out on Tuesday.

 

[Josh Kifer]

Looks like you get a direct flight out on Tuesday.

Let me put in my 48 hour notice and I'll fill my bag full of undies.

 

[buzzmonkey]

Let me put in my 48 hour notice and I'll fill my bag full of undies.

I'll give you a lift from the airport.

 

[timinater]

This. I'd recommend a special pre-sale, one time, PCF commemorative chip at say $25/chip (or whatever makes sense). Then folks that want to support you can do so in a fun way. Put them in airtights so they can be shipped cheaper.

Ship them unfinished whether it's back up and running by then or not

 

[warma]

Ship them unfinished whether it's back up and running by then or not

That would be cool to see, and a rarity in itself.

 

[postmanpete]

Hi David,

Wondered how you’re doing today? Any news from the manufacturer?
Hope you get some good news soon.

 

[Josh Kifer]

Hi David,

Wondered how you’re doing today? Any news from the manufacturer?
Hope you get some good news soon.

It's gonna be a lot longer than 5 days.....

 

[NeoViny23]

We’ve run into a major problem, the full extent of which was only known today

Oh man, it hurts to read this @David Spragg ... I'm pressing my thumbs that there will be a solution sooner than expected.

 

[maxim_666666]

I always assumed you were using a lathe to finish the edges. This is a simpler and more technological process. Any benchtop lathe could do this. You only need small equipment (made of plastic) to assemble the chips into a barrel. It may take a little longer, but it will be several times cheaper than repairing an old car. At least it will be a backup option. And you won't spend a lot of money. We are talking about $1000 maximum...
You will be surprised, but I already did this with your chips when the Blue Site still existed. But, of course, I understand that in my case we are not talking about industrial scale.
(I once had a small lathe and wanted to restore the round edges of a shuffle barrel. They were very worn.)
Paulson doesn't even come close to ASM/CPC performance levels.

 

[David Spragg]

We've tried a lathe, even had a machine shop with precision equipment try it.
It's a whole lot different just fractionally refinishing edges to taking off up to 4mm. 50% of them chipped or broke.

 

[David Spragg]

The other issue was time. The grinder will finish 1,000 chips in half an hour. A factory man hour cost is around $40. We need to grind around 6,000 chips a week.
A grinding wheel is good for several million chips. I wouldn't guarantee it's cheaper in the long run, that's one of the reasons grinding replaced lathing 40 years ago.

 

[BTJOHNE]

New to forum. 1st thread I looked out. I never heard of a centerless grinder before. Love it!!!!!! Best of Luck David

 

[maxim_666666]

We've tried a lathe, even had a machine shop with precision equipment try it.
It's a whole lot different just fractionally refinishing edges to taking off up to 4mm. 50% of them chipped or broke.

Yes, I understand. I did it very carefully. You would have to make multiple passes or use a stepped cutter. But, this takes time. (In the case of Paulson, this may work, since they are much softer and we will not get flea bites on the edge.) Your chips are very hard and obviously a grinder will work better and several times faster. Which ultimately affects the price.
(By the way, I tried sanding and it gives a razor sharp edge on CPC/ASM chips.)
It's a pity that we are in different countries. I am well versed in such things and even worked for some time in a production facility where such machines were repaired.
It would be cheap, fast and almost free. Maybe a couple of beers. My friends could do any mechanical and thermal treatment. But, from Germany, without access to the mechanism, this is difficult.

Sorry to hear that you are losing profits because of this.

We could really raise some money to keep production going. @Tommy

 

[David Spragg]

Yes, I understand. I did it very carefully. You would have to make multiple passes or use a stepped cutter. But, this takes time. (In the case of Paulson, this may work, since they are much softer and we will not get flea bites on the edge.) Your chips are very hard and obviously a grinder will work better and several times faster. Which ultimately affects the price.
(By the way, I tried sanding and it gives a razor sharp edge on CPC/ASM chips.)
It's a pity that we are in different countries. I am well versed in such things and even worked for some time in a production facility where such machines were repaired.
It would be cheap, fast and almost free. Maybe a couple of beers. My friends could do any mechanical and thermal treatment. But, from Germany, without access to the mechanism, this is difficult.

Sorry to hear that you are losing profits because of this.

We could really raise some money to keep production going. @Tommy

You realise we are talking about an industrial precision centerless grinder where the current model (albeit rather more modern) costs around $300,000 and an old used one like ours costs $60,000 (plus transport - it weighs in around 4 tons). The main bearings on the grinding wheel spindle are seized. It's 3-4 days labor by the manufacturer simply to replace the part - they have to fly in to do that, after they've spent 6 weeks manufacturing it as it is not a current part. Cannot be installed by anyone else for safety reasons as much as anything else.

 

[Josh Kifer]

PCF is a fun place .....

 

[warma]

So fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ekricket]

costs around $300,000

Who is the kickstarter guru here?

Is it money or is it time? Would it help to put in and pay for $300,000 worth of orders? That’s only like 100 people ordering new sets.

If the time is the same- repair or replace- then we are just screwed.

 

[David Spragg]

Time is the same regardless of what route you take.
Replacing is totally unfeasible. You would have to strip out half the factory to be able to transport machines in and out.
Cost of replacing would be 3 times the cost of repair by the time you figure complete shutdown time. Right now it is only the grinding that can't be done.
Yes it sucks that we will almost certainly make a loss this year but can't do anything about that.

 

[cpac54]

Whelp, sounds like it’s time to start planning my next CPC set. Hope you guys are back on your feet sooner than later @David Spragg

 

[4got2flush]

Total shot in the dark @David Spragg ... but I figured it can't hurt to throw it out there...

These guys are 2 states away? https://www.unitedcenterlessgrindin...MImr7YqpybgQMVy-XICh3WfgYEEAAYASABEgIEVPD_BwE

 

[David Spragg]

Yes, I know them. They grind metals not clay. Requires different wheels and lubricants plus of course a jig to hold the chips.
Tats would just cost us even more money, we still have to pay for the repair.

 

[David Spragg]

As someone has raised it privately, I should just clarify. I asked for people to continue to place orders as usual to keep everyone busy, NOT to fund the repair. That comes out of my money.

 

[maxim_666666]

You realise we are talking about an industrial precision centerless grinder where the current model (albeit rather more modern) costs around $300,000 and an old used one like ours costs $60,000 (plus transport - it weighs in around 4 tons). The main bearings on the grinding wheel spindle are seized. It's 3-4 days labor by the manufacturer simply to replace the part - they have to fly in to do that, after they've spent 6 weeks manufacturing it as it is not a current part. Cannot be installed by anyone else for safety reasons as much as anything else.

(I have a degree in mechanical engineering.)
Damn, that sounds painful! I hope that the guys who are helping you are qualified enough.

 

[Shaggy]

Sorry to hear @David Spragg. I'm sure your team will work towards the solution. The community here will be understanding and patient. Thanks for all the work and commitment you have provided to this community.

 

[David Spragg]

(I have a degree in mechanical engineering.)
Damn, that sounds painful! I hope that the guys who are helping you are qualified enough.

The work is being done by the manufacturers, that's all they do for a living!

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

(I have a degree in mechanical engineering.)
Damn, that sounds painful! I hope that the guys who are helping you are qualified enough.

I know German engineering is fantastic, but let's assume they are qualified, eh? I'm assuming they also have degrees/tons of experience if this is their livelihood.

 

[David Spragg]

I know German engineering is fantastic, but let's assume they are qualified, eh? I'm assuming they also have degrees/tons of experience if this is their livelihood.

It's not German, it's US. They've been going longer than us (130 years).

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

It's not German, it's US. They've been going longer than us (130 years).

Was just speaking to the skeptic's origin and background. Im not worried about their qualifications.

 

[David Spragg]

Was just speaking to the skeptic's origin and background. Im not worried about their qualifications.

Yeah, just realised I read it the wrong way round so to speak.

 

[FestiveKnight]

Adding my voice to those hoping the easiest cheapest fix possible. I would also 100% be in for a “commemorative” chip for the occasion to help fund the repairs. Make it $25 to get one - grinded or not!