During the metalshop team open night tonight the members discussed the metalshop equipment plan going forward and came up with a priority list. Just because an item is higher than other doesn’t mean it automatically blocks lower priority items, it just helps set objectives for funding. I have created proposals for all these items. This list is regardless of getting the CGBF grant, although the grant will assist in fulfilling our needs. There are also other smaller upgrades not included in this list (ie. mill accessories, lathe DRO, etc). The source for this list can be seen here: Metalshop Equipment Plan - Google Sheets
Throughout our discussion we came to the consensus that equipment priority is primarily based on:
- filling a key gap in our capabilities,
- improving user experience (reliability, functionality, ease of use), and
- Reducing volunteer time requirements.
As such, new equipment in niche areas has been avoided in preference of upgrading existing machines to reliable units that have parts available for servicing and are less likely to fail.
In order of priority, our current equipment needs are:
1 - Manual Bender, ~$1600 (Stopgap, will be onsold if hydraulic one is purchased) S250 - PB-4 Manual Panbrake | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
2 - Plasma Cutter - ~$1200 Insane Plasma Cutting Performance: SPEEDCUT 50 Plasma Cutter | SWS – SWS Welding & Cutting
3 - Alummig 230 MIG Welder - ~$2300 ALUMMIG™ 230 Dual Pulse MIG Welder
4- Dual arm welding fume extractor - ~$6875 W2711K - D-H13 Mobile Welding Fume Extractor - Twin Arm | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
5 - Quality Welding Table w/replaceable slats - ~$2650 W07712A - TMA61210 BuildPro Modular Welding Table - Standard Finish | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
6 - NC Hydraulic Sheet Bender (6mm capacity) - ~$19,200 S581B - PB-460 Hydraulic NC Panbrake - NC-89 Control | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
7 - 5T Arbor Press - ~$1050 P1205 - AP-5 Arbor Press | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
8 - Milling Machine + Pneumatic Drawbar - ~$17,000 M603D - BM-30A Industrial Turret Milling Machine | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse, M247 - PD-150 Air Power Drawbar | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
9 - Belt Driven Drill Press - ~$1550 D160 - PD-28 Industrial Pedestal Drill - Belt Drive | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
10 - New lathe to replace small lathe - ~$8600 L555D - AL-346V Centre Lathe | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
11 - 3x AlumTIG 200 Welders - ~$6000 Professional AC DC TIG & STICK Aluminum welder: ALUMTIG 200 | SWS
12 - 3x AlumMIG 200 Welders - ~$7000 ALUMMIG™ 230 Dual Pulse MIG Welder