Over a month since I have updated this blog!!! Just no consistency here. My willingness to share must go through cycles. This is probably a reflection of where my head is at any given time. Just got back to the machine shop. (Have been doing some woodworking though.) Tried out the milling machine for the first time today. Argh!!!! Major problems. I was milling away on some scrap steel from a local junkyard (a story in itself) when the machine started shaking violently. It was some time before I figured out that one of the bolts holding the motor had loosened. Not only did it work loose it stripped some of the threads from its hole. Not a pretty sight. I went to the local Ace hardware store and bought a machine bolt that was a bit longer (3/8" -> 1/2") and this seemed to move beyond the stripped part of the hole and provide a good connection. Whew, I thought I would have to buy a new machine.
When continuing the milling I still seemed to have problems. I was removing only a little metal, but the mill seemed to be having a tough time of it. I think my problem is that the work piece is not perfectly aligned. I will need to buy a gauge to align the work piece more accurately. Maybe I should stick to the lathe until I get some lessons. I have contacted someone at work who runs the machine shop. He has indicated one of the master machinists there is willing to provide me with some lessons. I definitely am in need.
On a different topic I am off to Vegas with the wife and two of my sons on Monday. It is spring break in our school district and we are going to try something new with a trip to Las Vegas. I was at a conference in Las Vegas in 1983 on antibiotics (ICAAC) and was fairly disappointed. There seemed to be nothing but gambling and nude women. I hear the place has changed significantly. We have tickets to two shows, Cirque Soleil Mystere and Blue Man Group. Expensive, but hopefully enjoyable. I would also like to take a couple of side trips and visit Hoover Dam and Red Rock State Park. I prefer a vacation spent hiking, but the boys (14 and 17) prefer a city's action.
5:01:13 PM 
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