Tormek Supergrind 2000 (square pre-2001 model) Restoration

[John Hancock Sr]

etched, drilled, and soldered the circuit boards ourselves. We also sawed, drilled, and filed the housing. We even screen-printed the front panel

That takes me back. You don't get much of that these days. It did look like a custom job from the original picture

[Herman Trivilino]

After removing the rust, I sanded the Tormek with abrasive fleece and then rubbed it with acetone. So far, no new rust has formed. The painter wanted to blast it with glass beads before powder coating. So actually, I could have saved myself the trouble of removing the rust and paint.

Yup. I didn't realize you had a professional doing the powder coating. You'll have a machine that will last the lifetime of your your descendants. The bearings are simple affairs that are easily replaced. In fact, every part is replaceable.

Mine is a unique handmade piece. I built the power supply almost 35 years ago during my first year of vocational training. In the vocational school we etched, drilled, and soldered the circuit boards ourselves. We also sawed, drilled, and filed the housing. We even screen-printed the front panel.

Impressive. I'm jealous of both your machine and your training background. When I was a secondary student in the 1970's I got slotted into the college-bound track so I received no vocational training or education.

Interesting that a up until a few decades prior to that every physics major had to receive formal vocational training to become a machinist. Somewhere along the way our society had lost the value it used to place on learning how to use tools and work with our hands. I see that changing a bit now, with a greater emphasis on hands-on education in the trades to prepare students for a career working with their hands. It's a great alternative to racking up huge debts from receiving degrees and advanced degrees that too often never get formally used, just because that kind of education is more respected in our society. I believe it's better for your physical, financial, and especially mental well-being to have a career working with your hands as opposed to working behind a desk.

As one person put it, in academia and many other careers the only purpose your body serves is to get your head to the next meeting.

[tgbto]

As one person put it, in academia and many other careers the only purpose your body serves is to get your head to the next meeting.

If only you were right. Post-COVID zoom meetings have managed the feat to make this head-carrying thing totally optional...

But I digress, I'm impressed by the extent and quality of @andicugino's workmanship.