Another hobby development

[Penninetrader]

That is correct

Stage 1 of the move complete... I am so tired this evening I've already fallen asleep in my chair several times Tomorrow we have the electrician coming in to add some more 13A sockets and a three-phase supply so we can get the CNC router up and running again. Very stressful seeing all one and a half tonnes of that balanced on the front of a fork lift. I also have to deal with the networking (the CNC machine uses wifi and we have Starlink connection to get to the outside world).

Somewhere in here is a Landrover Defender...

Fortunately a lot of the furniture parts will disappear tomorrow when Fedex arrive, which should help to clear the space. I hope their van is empty when they get here. I had a crazy week last week cutting the parts for as many products as possible to both use up as much sheet material as I could so we didn't have to move the full sheets today and to get us as up-to-date as we were able with orders so a few "dead" days won't notice.

James

It is a few years since I have done a complete workshop clearout and swap around. I look at some of the machines and wonder how I managed so I fully understand the exhaustion bit. The pressure to get back online production wise adds to that. A couple of questions, just being nosey, or interested, depending how you view it.
The 3 phase, are we just talking of cabling from an existing supply within your workshop ? You mention wifi and starlink, of course wifi would suffice for in house programming so is the starlink for remote ? Do I see a press in that pic as it seems quite a serious bit of kit, if it is what use is it put to ? Must be quite a come down when having to work in your home workshop on the amateur tackle. What were the deciding factors in deciding you could operate with less space ?.

 

[JamezF]

Three phases are delivered to the new unit, but at present it only has 13A sockets on a single phase. Both the press and CNC machine need three phase, so it's just a case of putting suitable 32A sockets and connecting them to the existing distribution panel.

Starlink is for remote internet access, yes. We need it for email and all our order management stuff and website. And in fact, phones, as there's no landline service and mobile is a bit ropey. It's actually a bit pricey compared with my home fibre connection, but there's little other choice right now.

The press is a 50 tonne hydraulic press capable of taking entire 8x4 sheets. We use it for laminating sheets of (usually) poplar plywood when a customer wants a bespoke colour for their furniture.

My home workshop is somewhat cramped by comparison, but otherwise I'm happy enough there. A little more space would be nice, but isn't beyond the realms of possibility one day.

As to how we came to decide that we could live with less space, I guess mostly it was that we realised we were using space for the same purpose in each unit and that actually if everything were in one place then we could quite happily only need that space once, at which point we only needed to find the space for the press and CNC machine, which isn't actually that much really. It saves us a huge amount of rent too, which is our biggest cost after staff (and there are a number of other benefits such as only having to pay one standing charge for electricity and water).

James

 

[Penninetrader]

Three phases are delivered to the new unit, but at present it only has 13A sockets on a single phase. Both the press and CNC machine need three phase, so it's just a case of putting suitable 32A sockets and connecting them to the existing distribution panel.

Starlink is for remote internet access, yes. We need it for email and all our order management stuff and website. And in fact, phones, as there's no landline service and mobile is a bit ropey. It's actually a bit pricey compared with my home fibre connection, but there's little other choice right now.

The press is a 50 tonne hydraulic press capable of taking entire 8x4 sheets. We use it for laminating sheets of (usually) poplar plywood when a customer wants a bespoke colour for their furniture.

My home workshop is somewhat cramped by comparison, but otherwise I'm happy enough there. A little more space would be nice, but isn't beyond the realms of possibility one day.

As to how we came to decide that we could live with less space, I guess mostly it was that we realised we were using space for the same purpose in each unit and that actually if everything were in one place then we could quite happily only need that space once, at which point we only needed to find the space for the press and CNC machine, which isn't actually that much really. It saves us a huge amount of rent too, which is our biggest cost after staff (and there are a number of other benefits such as only having to pay one standing charge for electricity and water).

James

Thank you very much for that reply which I most certainly did not expect so soon, I imagine, once again, that your head will be spinning computing all and everything to try and ensure you have not missed anything, I know I do.
Rents and standing charges etc.are a killer. I combined 2 supplies at one location where a big draw was not needed and that saved quite a few pounds. At 3 commercial locations I have to manage supply renewals came in at serious money so when looking around came across Valda energy, the standing charges and KWH rate substantially lower, they also negotiate water charges for business. Best of luck with your endeavors and get some sleep you will need it.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Well that is not good news, on both accounts. I obviously hope you recover as quickly as possible. As for the urgent care, public protest does change their plans

A week later and still struggling to do simple things like putting a shirt on because the movements required induce pain in my shoulder. Not where the x-ray or bruising suggests the trauma is located. However paracetamol every 6 hours is containing things if I behave myself and don't exert myself. Couldn't resist looking at the semi-stripped motor in the workshop so persuaded Mrs J to take me to George Lodges with the old bearing I had taken off prior to my fall. The lad behind the counter measured it and said it's a 6204 2Z stock item do you want a pair? Price £71.51 plus vat then said discount 92% so I bought two and came away £13.73 lighter. Thank goodness for discounts.
It'll probably be a few more days before I'm up to fitting the bearings and the end caps go back on the motor.
While I was there I noted they stock a wide range of pulleys and belts so if I have future requirements there's a local stockists.

 

[Penninetrader]

A week later and still struggling to do simple things like putting a shirt on because the movements required induce pain in my shoulder. Not where the x-ray or bruising suggests the trauma is located. However paracetamol every 6 hours is containing things if I behave myself and don't exert myself. Couldn't resist looking at the semi-stripped motor in the workshop so persuaded Mrs J to take me to George Lodges with the old bearing I had taken off prior to my fall. The lad behind the counter measured it and said it's a 6204 2Z stock item do you want a pair? Price £71.51 plus vat then said discount 92% so I bought two and came away £13.73 lighter. Thank goodness for discounts.
It'll probably be a few more days before I'm up to fitting the bearings and the end caps go back on the motor.
While I was there I noted they stock a wide range of pulleys and belts so if I have future requirements there's a local stockists.

There always seems to be massive discounts on bearings, I wonder why they price in the way they do ? I did wonder how long it would be for you to recover. Heat along with the paracetamol, I use wheat bags to any part that is painful, and constantly. The microwave goes into overtime and worth every penny

 

[Gilberdyke John]

There always seems to be massive discounts on bearings, I wonder why they price in the way they do ? I did wonder how long it would be for you to recover. Heat along with the paracetamol, I use wheat bags to any part that is painful, and constantly. The microwave goes into overtime and worth every penny

Currently when indoors I'm using a heated belt draped over my shoulder which provides gentle warmth and I raked out a scarf which had spent multi years in a drawer. Things are improving albeit slowly. Google suggests a period of between one and six weeks to heal so I'm hoping my wait is nearer the short end of the options Que sera sera as the Doris Day song went

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I remember as a kid Welsh flannel next to the skin was always the thing for back pain and any muscular pain, again, to keep the area warm. Whenever anyone put their back out or whatever someone would always dig out a work and tatty flannel shirt from the linen cupboard to loan to them. My grandmother, being a tailoress would recycle any old flannel shirt donated to the church jumble sale (flannel shirts were already a museum piece in the 1970's) and fashion them into pads with tapes attached so you could tie them over the afflicted area.
I remember acquiring an old flannel shirt when I was about sixteen, it was great for wearing over my thermals when I was out shooting.

 

[Penninetrader]

Currently when indoors I'm using a heated belt draped over my shoulder which provides gentle warmth and I raked out a scarf which had spent multi years in a drawer. Things are improving albeit slowly. Google suggests a period of between one and six weeks to heal so I'm hoping my wait is nearer the short end of the options Que sera sera as the Doris Day song went

When it is around the neck area placing anything close by, heat thingymybobs, seems to give me a neck ache after a short while. General heat to all the body especially, hands knees and toes seems to help all areas , no I am not joking. Talking from very long experiences

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I remember as a kid Welsh flannel next to the skin was always the thing for back pain and any muscular pain, again, to keep the area warm. Whenever anyone put their back out or whatever someone would always dig out a work and tatty flannel shirt from the linen cupboard to loan to them. My grandmother, being a tailoress would recycle any old flannel shirt donated to the church jumble sale (flannel shirts were already a museum piece in the 1970's) and fashion them into pads with tapes attached so you could tie them over the afflicted area.
I remember acquiring an old flannel shirt when I was about sixteen, it was great for wearing over my thermals when I was out shooting.

Reminds me of a builder I once met. He sat down in the pub to the accompaniment of a cracking sound. Turned out he'd hurt his lower back and had stuck a bit of polystyrene ceiling tile down his waistband. Everyone thought the idea had potential but needed work.