Re: PRIME Reflections

That was probably me with the Taig CNC mill - I finally had it running on
Sunday - I'm so busy at the show that I don't really have time for demos,
but will work on it this year - the WTC thing threw off my prep for the
show.

As for CNC presence, become an exhibitor! It doesn't really cost anything,
and you will have the pride of showing off your projects and having input
from all the great machinists there. The show is small because people are
too shy and/or lazy to display their projects.
There have been home brew CNC systems displayed there in the past.

Nick
felice@... is Felice Luftschein and Nicholas Carter. See our web pages
http://www.cartertools.com/nfhome.html

Message: 14
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 21:07:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: currinh@...
Subject: PRIME Reflections

Automation Masters:

I took a drive to Eugene, OR for the PRIME Model Engineering Expositiion
last weekend. I was there late Saturday and Sunday morning.

Most of the exibits, maybe 90-95% were model engines. Fascinating
engines of all kinds. I am in awe of the workmanship and patience very
evident in these. Many master machinists displaying custom work. This
was very impressive.

But, after hearing about NAMES, I thought there would be a bigger CNC
presence. I remember the posts about dueling CNC controllers at NAMES.
At PRIME I saw only one CNC (Prazi ?) tucked away in a corner. Sherline
and other MFGs had a small presence but no CNC equipment.

It seemed few of the builders were using CNC either. From the work done
I think CNC would be a great help, even for one offs.

By numbers of people the exibit wasn't too large, 100-200 or so involved
when I was there. Machining as a hobby seems to be a small, nitch
endevor. And hobby/home CNC is a small (but growing) nitch of this. I
tend to loose sight of this, probably because this group talks of little
else and has a prominant presence on my computer. :-)

So being a nitch in a nitch are we exclusive or just nuts?

OK, now where am I gonna find the time to build a stirling engine, a
little 4-stroke gas of two or maybe four cylinders, a hit and miss for
my desk top, and a .....................

Have a good week.

--
Hugh Currin
Klamath Falls, OR