It’s amazing what I can get done when nobody is fucking with me and there isn’t some kind of bullshit drama going on.

I managed to get set up and cut both keyways in that shaft today so I could mock this thing up after almost a month.

Between the big assed Aluminium block and the Pillow Block Bearings, the center of the shaft is almost at the exact same center height as the shaft in the electric motor I am hoping to replace it with.

I still have to tighten a bunch of set screws down, clean the pulleys up and figure out the exact place it is going to sit but I need to make sure I don’t need to use that Mill for anything else first because I have to take the motor and wiring out to mount this thing.

One step closer though.

No need to snicker, I laugh at myself all the time.

I gotta say that even though this is Basic Machining 101 and the kind of stuff rookies get assigned to do in the real world, I am still so proud of myself that I could split.

My first successful keyway using the old Smithy 3 in 1 machine.

I say successful because of course I had to screw one up first.

My blind old ass used the wrong sized cutter on the first attempt and I didn’t catch it until I went to test fit the key.

Ah well, live and learn eh?

I’m still pretty proud of myself. No adult supervision and I didn’t even break anything.

One down, one to go.

This is another one I am pecking away at.

As usual, it’s one step forward and two steps back.

In this video I try to take the time and articulate my very sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped me out here.

In my opinion, I failed miserably to convey my feelings.

I want you all to know that my appreciation apparently greatly exceeds my ability to express it.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

This is how it’s supposed to be done.

Lara Logan opens the bomb bay doors and let’s it fly here.

I would say that anyone who gets their news from the MSM would go into shock if they listened to this.

In other words, it’s a Must Watch.

I’m still trying to get used to waking up when I used to go to bed for the better part of a decade.