I wonder if that was a school project for running the shaper? Advance course in operating the shaper?

Over the weekend I found this block of steel. It was all stuck together with old grease and some surface rust, so it did look like a block of steel. Got home and was amazed at what I had found! Looks like some kind of apprentice machinist project? And the tool marks tell me it was done on a shaper. All the pieces fit perfectly and slide with no problems. Somebody did an excellent job making this thing. Anybody know what it is?

Never too late, Ken!!  We all get busy over the holidays and the last place I expect people to spend precious holiday/family time is online.  

A little late to reply.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Whether you observe Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holiday traditions at this time of year, I want to extend my greetings to all of you and wish you all the very best.

For many people, this is a very difficult time of year for many varied reasons. To those folks I hope that you find the serenity and inner peace to help you through a difficult season.

Nice!

Had some time to play in the shop today. Designed and 3D printed a 6 cartridge holder for little single shot .22LR rifle we have around the house. It loads one by one, no magazine which is inconvenient always having separate box of ammo nearby. Utilized an existing screw under the stock to attach it. It's actually a youth size gun so the placement is well rearward of where your rest hand grabs and isn't in the way. Had to play with the hole size to get the fit just right to keep the cartridges in place but not too tight.

Quote from: PJ on Nov 26, 2025, 10:36 AMProblem I have is after using professional version CAD packages for so long, its very hard to go backwards to hobby type stuff.   Unless Autodesk offers a non-cloud based Fusion, that one is off my list.  Unfortunately dinosaurs like me are being forced out as most software is going cloud/subscription route.  SAS if you will.   I mean really why let people keep using something that works when you can force them into all the useless new features, flashy UI and keep them perpetually paying? 
Until I can figure out which way to go the old CAD workstation is staying Windows 10 and SW 2022  Air-gapped and sandboxed from the internet.

 

So I wondered whether SW for makers was some rudimentary version, and ended up buying a makers license to try it out. It is literally the same as full on SW - it just puts a mark on the file so that your files cannot be opened by professional SW. This is to prevent the maker version being used by people to make money, which is fair. I really like that you can have a locally installed version of the maker edition, and store all your files locally. No restrictions, no watermarks, no requirement to store it all on the cloud. You can store all your files on the cloud if you want - but it's not a requirement.

Quote from: 4GSR on Nov 30, 2025, 05:25 PMI've been using AutoCAD, now Draftsight since 1988. I still don't know all the ins and outs of the software. Does plenty for my needs today. In a couple more years if not sooner, It'll be somebody else's turn to take over what I do.
My son and I just bought a license for the "Makers" version of SolidWorks. We still trying to get it downloaded. I have a little experience with SW's but not enough to be of help for either one of us. Oh well.

Let me know if I can help. I use Solidworks professionally. Well - I get paid to use it. Whether I act professionally with it is another matter.

It kicks Fusion into a cocked hat - I have no idea why people still use that junk. I hated Inventor so much that I just quit that job and got a better one. Hopefully that carries me to retirement.

I've been using AutoCAD, now Draftsight since 1988. I still don't know all the ins and outs of the software. Does plenty for my needs today. In a couple more years if not sooner, It'll be somebody else's turn to take over what I do.
My son and I just bought a license for the "Makers" version of SolidWorks. We still trying to get it downloaded. I have a little experience with SW's but not enough to be of help for either one of us. Oh well.