I finally scrapped a whole mold because my surface grinder was out of square

Remember when we used to check alignment with a dial indicator and a feeler gauge every time? I got in a hurry and skipped it. The finish pass took off way too much material on one side. Now I'm back to doing it the slow way, and it saves me heartache. Makes you miss how careful we used to be.

4 comments

4 Comments

wesley1811mo ago

Used to be all about "close enough is good enough" back in the day. Ran a gang saw for years and just sent it without checking tooth spacing a single time, figured it saved me a full 30 minutes a week. Then one morning I got sloppy and ended up having to scrap an entire bundle of hardwood because the cuts were all over the place by a sixteenth. That little voice in your head always wins eventually. Now I'm that guy with the square and the feeler gauges every single time I change a setup, and truth is I get better sleep lol.

anthony1294mo ago

Man that sinking feeling when you ruin a part because you rushed. I've been there, telling myself I don't need to double check that one time. Then you measure it and see how bad it is, and you just feel sick. It's always the shortcuts that cost you the most time in the end. Makes you respect the old school methods for sure.

max7664mo ago

Nah sometimes you gotta just send it and trust your first mark. I've saved hours skipping the double checks when I'm in the zone.

the_fiona4mo ago

Ugh, I cut a piece short last week because I was sure I had the math right. That sick feeling in your gut is the worst teacher, but you don't forget it.