Most useful machine?

[toxo]

8 hours ago, AlZilla said:

 A clicker press (especially with supplies (the dies)) being thrown in, @DieselTech would be cool but I don't make multiples of the same thing to justify buying or making dies. I think the cost of the dies is what keeps the clicker off my radar.

I think  discounting clicker is a mistake. A die doesn't have to be expensive. Doesn't have to be for a repeating project either. It can be extremely useful for part of a project though. I make em with a wood core, my most recent I showed in my patchwork post. Now  I can cut lots of patches in no time. It would take hours to cut 50 patches by hand. 

Don't need an expensive press either. Before I got mine I used a 1 ton arbor press. 

[kgg]

On 9/3/2024 at 1:17 AM, AlZilla said:

If money and space were no object, what machine, besides a sewing machine, would be your next most useful machine?

One of the most valuable machines for me are 3D printers which allows me to print stamps, gauges, table tops, edge binding attachments, etc not only for the sewing machines but other other equipment like hand presses, burnisher etc.

kgg

 

Edited September 4, 2024 by kgg

[AlZilla]

10 hours ago, kgg said:

One of the most valuable machines for me are 3D printers which allows me to print stamps, gauges, table tops, edge binding attachments, etc not only for the sewing machines but other other equipment like hand presses, burnisher etc.

kgg

 

Yeah, a 3d printer is on my radar. Kind of confusing to research online only, but I'll get there.

[AlZilla]

11 hours ago, toxo said:

I think  discounting clicker is a mistake. A die doesn't have to be expensive. Doesn't have to be for a repeating project either. It can be extremely useful for part of a project though. I make em with a wood core, my most recent I showed in my patchwork post. Now  I can cut lots of patches in no time. It would take hours to cut 50 patches by hand. 

Don't need an expensive press either. Before I got mine I used a 1 ton arbor press. 

I know that the die material can be purchased in lengths. Are you saying that it's easily formed around, say, a wooden cutout?

[kgg]

1 hour ago, AlZilla said:

Yeah, a 3d printer is on my radar. Kind of confusing to research online only, but I'll get there.

My take on 3D Printers so take it with a grain of salt.

Like all things it comes down to what you want it to do and dollars.

Once upon a time the 3D printers were for your tinkers and now they have evolved in print accuracy, speed, accuracy and ease of repairs/ replacement parts. It use to be that Prusa lead the pack for the hobbyist but they have fallen behind both in the customer service and equipment capabilities while still being expensive for what you get.

The company that has really changed the filament 3d printers is the Bambu Labs equipment. From the cardboard box to being up and running with your first print it takes about maybe 30 minutes. It is decent equipment, fast, accurate and replacing parts is pretty straight forward as well as cost effective. The Bambu Lab PS-1 for about should do most hobbyists needs.
 
I want a 3D printer to be Fast as I hate waiting and the prints to be accurate, less 0.25mm tolerance.

Beside the 3D printer you need:
i) good CAD design software which can have steep learning curve like Autodesk Fusion 360
ii) good filament
iii) filament dehydrator  

I own 2 Prusa's (now gathering dust) and a Bambu Lab X1-Carbon 3D Printer. I run the hell out my machines.

kgg

Edited September 5, 2024 by kgg

[HandyDave]

About all I use is hand tools and everything I make is hand sewn. The one machine that I do really enjoy having is a bench sander. With belt and disc. And if I could only choose one machine to keep it would be the sander. Before I got it I would cut everything flush as I could with razor then hand sand which worked but boy is it nice to just run the edge of holster or belt or whatever over the bench sander then go back to hand finishing and slicking.

[toxo]

10 hours ago, AlZilla said:

I know that the die material can be purchased in lengths. Are you saying that it's easily formed around, say, a wooden cutout?

Exactly that. 

[AlZilla]

1 hour ago, toxo said:

Exactly that. 

Another avenue of adventure. For some reason, I thought it was more akin to actual metalworking.

Is there a particular gauge, thickness or however they're measured you recommend to do the type of work you show in the picture?

Thanks for the tip off.

Edited September 5, 2024 by AlZilla

[AlZilla]

10 hours ago, kgg said:

i) good CAD design software which can have steep learning curve like Autodesk Fusion 360

That right there is one of my big concerns.

I like your review of equipment. Those weren't the brands that had been on my reading list. I might well come back and pick your brain when I start edging in that direction again.

Edited September 5, 2024 by AlZilla

[AlZilla]

8 hours ago, HandyDave said:

About all I use is hand tools and everything I make is hand sewn. The one machine that I do really enjoy having is a bench sander. With belt and disc. And if I could only choose one machine to keep it would be the sander. Before I got it I would cut everything flush as I could with razor then hand sand which worked but boy is it nice to just run the edge of holster or belt or whatever over the bench sander then go back to hand finishing and slicking.

Yes, early on some of the videos I saw featured a drum or belt sander and I grabbed right on to that idea.  So, if the stitch line wanders from the edge a bit - move the edge!