The Chaos Cache
So, this page is a little different. My old mill (M.A.C.) was having some issues—it wasn't powerful enough, and it was in serious need of maintenance. The goal was to build a new mill and get rid of the old one. The name I chose for it was C.H.E.E.Z., which stands for Cutting, High-speed, Expert Zone. The only reason I gave it that name is because now I have M.A.C. & C.H.E.E.Z.... and that just felt right.
But, as with so many plans in this workshop, things went a bit off course. The old mill ended up getting a power upgrade, and this new mill still sits unfinished. It’s a bit of a running joke, a testament to the fact that my mind, and my wallet, can't always keep up with my ideas.
But even unfinished, this mill is a vital part of the workshop's story. It's a monument to a great idea and a testament to the fact that I'll get around to finishing it one day... I'm sure of it.
Jun 19, 2020
Ahh, yes, the g0704. The perfect option to use for my new CNC mill. It's still sitting assembled in a different part of the shop, waiting for me to finish the new stand for it. It's a classic case of the new toy syndrome, where the excitement of a new tool is quickly replaced by the chaos of a stalled project.
Jun 27, 2020
I don't always just wing my projects—sometimes I actually put a ton of thought into them. And this one? I had years of thoughts about what I'd do differently with a new mill.
Sep 28, 2020
Let the metal hit the floor, let the metal hit the floor... awoooo, my toe. Anyways, I picked up the steel I needed to get this project started, and that's exactly what I did. A little pain is just part of the fun of fabricating
Sep 29-oct 9, 2020
It took so much cutting, so much welding, and so much moving, but the stand is a masterpiece so far. That last photo shows the only scrap left over, most of which has already been used for other projects. Nothing truly goes to waste in this workshop; every bit has a future.
Dec 15-16, 2020
I’ve never regretted a single day of switching to TIG welding. However, I’ll admit that welding on these large sections was the very first time I found myself missing MIG
Dec 25-26, 2020
I wasn't about to leave the bottom parts open for black widows to nest inside of. No thank you. I know they can still get under the machine, but at least they won't be in the tubes. It's the small but necessary upgrades to keep the shop from becoming a horror movie.
Dec 28,2020 - jan 2, 2021
My brain's a little fuzzy on the specifics here. I don't remember how I started this cut, but I do remember it didn't go well. So I made a template, thinking that would solve everything, and it left a perfect bow. Honestly, I’m almost certain it was the welding that did it, but at this point, who’s to say? Either way, I decided to create an inner frame support and weld it all the way around. Was it overkill? Oh, in the most spectacular way possible. But hey, it’s a solid fix, and that’s all that matters… right?
jan 20, 2021
This had nothing to do with the top, but it was a great excuse to test-cut the drawers. Yeah… you’re about to see that ADHD procrastination kick in very, very soon. Like, now.
