Replies

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jun 02, 2007 04:17am | #1

   David

   I can't help you with your shiplap question, but I just wanted to say "good luck" and be safe during your new endeavour.  I hope that you continue to post updates on your project.  I would love to be able to sink my teeth into a project like the one you are undertaking, and hope that all works well for you.

   Jeff

   BTW  That moulder looks like it could eat my little Williams and Hussey baby moulder for a small snack before breakfast!  :-)

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/1/2007 9:18 pm ET by JeffHeath

1. 
   ring | Jun 02, 2007 12:07pm | #2

   I will keep posting from time to time. While I've run a commercial shop for a long time, this endeavor is taking me into new territory, and I thought it would be interesting to share some of that with others as well.Yeah, the Weinig is quite a beast. Each of the 6 machine heads has its own 20HP motor. Temporarily, we're using standard straight blades, but I've already ordered a whole set of Helix-type planer heads. And now I'm trying to work out the special cutters needed for various profiles - siding, T&G flooring, window trim, etc. Everything is custom-made only.BTW, I've also ordered a sharpening station from Weinig, because in Africa we'll need to be entirely self-sufficient. More to come...David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   philip | Jun 03, 2007 05:24am | #4

   "because in Africa we'll need to be entirely self-sufficient". You can say that again-especially in Angola. Who is going to run that machine?
   Re the ship lap profile: Leitz tooling offer many designs for t and g and wall and ceiling panel profiles. I suspect that alot of the tooling for production machines originates from Leitz and may be re-badged. Their catalogues are very detailed.
   Actually you could send stuff for sharpening just down the road-either to Namibia or South Africa where there are Leitz representatives....

   Edited 6/2/2007 10:33 pm by philip

1. 
   ring | Jun 03, 2007 08:17am | #5

   "Who is going to run that machine?"
   One of the reasons for setting up a temporary production in Israel is in order to train the team of guys who will manage each department eventually. We've hired 2 people so far (more to come) who are up to their eyebrows in learning how to run it. We might even send one of them to Germany for a 3-day course. They're signed on to work in Angola afterwards for at least a year.You're right about Leitz; I should have thought of them myself. I'll check out their cutters.Thanks,David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   jrenzetti | Jun 03, 2007 04:27pm | #6

   hi David,  Sounds like a great project. I have a tinge of jealousy as your project recalls the great memories of the 9 years I spent flying around Africa while I was running a flight operation out of Guinea in West Africa. This was 1976 to the end of 1984.

   One concern I have would be the consistancy of the voltage to run that moulder. If it has VFD's there could be trouble if voltage would go above or below a certain value. You might need a transformer or other regulators to keep the voltage on all three legs stable and equal.

   Weinig should be able to give you plenty of information on that.

   take care,

   John

2. 
   ring | Jun 03, 2007 05:51pm | #7

   John,

   I take your point about the voltage fluctuations and I'll have it looked into.  It would be a huge problem for the entire factory, not just for this machine.  I've been told that electricity there is cheap, but maybe it's also spotty...

   Footnote to All -

   We mounted the 4 Helix cutters today...OMG, what a difference!  Not only smooth surfaces but about the half the noise levels as well.  I'm a convert.

    David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

2. 
   TrueGentleman | Jun 02, 2007 06:55pm | #3

   Can i come :(

   RIch