1-23-08 - New Keyboard and New Chip Cage
The last keyboard and keyboard holder was not satisfactory. The positioning was awkward, and the arm was too long. It got in the way too much, so all was removed. The keyboard itself was also prone to collecting chips between the keys. This had not caused a malfunction, but it was evident that a problem was just waiting to happen.


The keyboard is now mounted on the mill knee. It swivels, hides under the table when not in use and does not interfere with the operator. The chip cage was completely rebuilt. It is longer, wider and shorter than the previous cage. There are now doors on the front. The vise is controlled from outside the cage. The ends of the cage are removable when longer work pieces are loaded. The entire cage can be removed in a matter of minutes.

T-slots are completely covered making cleanup easy. The vise is centered. The ratchet handle is not satisfactory. It works but is not what I want. It will be changed.

The keyboard is great. Very handy. It swivels out of the way so that it virtually disappears. Odd thing about the keyboard itself. It is flexible. It can roll up in a tube. Completely spill proof and virtually indestructible, but NOTHING STICKS TO IT, so the actual mounting of the keyboard to the tray is not satisfactory at this point. Revisions will be made as time permits.

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