I'm still alive (despite rumors to the contrary)

[KeithB]

Hi guys! Been a couple of years since I've been on any forum. Used to hang out at another bullet casting site where my screen name was theperfessor, but I totally dropped that place for reasons I don't want to get into.

My left leg (amputated below the knee back in 2014) is doing fine. March of this year I had a trans-metatarsal amputation of right foot (all five toes) and was recovering nicely until a couple of weeks ago when I tore the meniscus in my right knee, complicated by stress fractures on the end of one of my leg bones and an annoying infection in the knee area. My amputations didn't hurt much but this blasted knee thing is very, very painful. Can't put any weight on right leg or it drops me to the floor with the pain. Had an MRI, taking antibiotics, got a visit to an orthoped and an infectious disease specialist schedule in next few weeks.

Used to make reloading equipment but couldn't make enough money to support the shop and my apprentice's salary. Had to get out of that and now we are making aircraft parts for a vendor that sells various items for kit-built aircraft. We make a lot of stuff for our vendor that he used to get from China and other off-shore sources - and we make money at it - better quality, shorter delivery times, etc. for the same price. Started out making copies and upgrades of existing parts, now we have also developed several new products that seem to be popular with the flyboys.

I do all the CNC programming, CAD design and workflow processing for all projects. I've designed numerous fixtures and tooling to make some fairly complicated tight tolerance parts. My apprentice has been doing all of the machine work when I'm off my feet and he is getting very good. He knows enough CNC to edit buggy programs, and has gotten extremely good at running a manual lathe (threading, etc.). The shop would have failed by now w/o him to step in when I'm medically challenged.

My wife and I are selling our mini-storage business and plan to buy a larger building to move machine shop into. Right now we have 720 square feet to work in, I'm looking at an existing metal frame industrial building with 4550 square feet.

Brad contacted me earlier about this site, and after lurking here for a few days (and recognizing a lot of the folks here) I decided to join up. Just a coincidence that I happened to be #500. But I'm honored that Brad would invite and want me here.

I haven't cast a bullet or shot anything in about 3 years, so I won't pretend to have much current knowledge to offer. I'll probably lurk a lot more than I post/comment, but if there is anything of value I can share I will do so. (Basic physics and math hasn't changed much in three years.)

Sorry if this is a little long, but wanted to share a little of my history here.

Looks like a great forum, and as long as it stays focused on bullet casting I think it will do great.

 

[Ian]

At last the mystery is solved! I quit not long after you, as did some others, likely for similar reasons so you're in good company here.

I still use my push-though die kit frequently, and often have wondered how you are.

Welcome aboard and enjoy the place, I'm certain it will be to your liking. No politics, religion, or gardening petunias are discussed here, just cast bullets, shooting, and related stuff.

Ian (Geargnasher from CB)

 

[Brad]

Keith, I can assure you that politics and religion are forbidden topics. When the forum was discussed before being created those were the first things we all mentioned. The mods are very firm on this. Lucky for us the members are great about it too.

We are honored to have you here. Welcome Mr 500!

 

[462]

Hello, Keith.

It's good to hear from you, and I wish you all the best.

Michael

 

[Brad]

I suppose this means more Star die blanks are out of the question? I bought 10 when I should have bought 50.

 

[Rick]

Welcome Keith, great to have you here. You won't find the "pit" here or any other political fighting forums. Natural that not all of our member agree on everything but when they do disagree they do so in a friendly non-confrontational way. Pretty peaceful here, I think you'll enjoy the company of our membership.

 

[KeithB]

When we switched to making aviation products I boxed up all my remaining inventory of reloading products. After we move to a new shop I plan to dig them out and maybe sell out the remaining items. I didn't really join this site as a commercial venture.

 

[Stonecrusher]

Glad to know that you are alive if not perfectly well. I will keep you in my prayers and hope you make a full recovery. I think that you will like it here, I do.The knowledge level is amazing and the people are top notch. Truly a better version of a safe place without the Play-Do and puppies!

Welcome and join in as much as you can!

 

[Ian]

When we switched to making aviation products I boxed up all my remaining inventory of reloading products. After we move to a new shop I plan to dig them out and maybe sell out the remaining items. I didn't really join this site as a commercial venture.

We're just happy for the company. Let Brad or one of the mods know if you decide to sell off your NOS items.

 

[Brad]

Exactly Ian. Very happy to have another member who is looking to talk casting and shooting.
I may ask for some machine work advice from time to time. You helped me immensely when I got my lathe and I can never repay you for that. Between you and Buckshot I got clear, straightforward advice.

 

[Rick]

No vendor sponsors here anyway. If your going to sell off existing stock just list them a few at a time in Swap & Sell. Only real rule is no long laundry lists so do a few at a time.

 

[Brad]

So, other than life and work what has Keith been up to? Making time for some shooting I hope. I seem to remember you having a few nice revolvers to cast for.

 

[smokeywolf]

Exceedingly pleased to hear from (read of) you Keith. Also very happy to know that your machining services Co. is prospering. Having you make their parts instead of sending the work to manufacturing concerns outside the U.S. is a little like keeping the work "in house". More control over confidentiality, quality and delivery times.
Although most of my machining was of film handling machinery and special FX devices, I did work in the prototype shop for a aircraft/aeronautics parts manufacturer for a short time, so have a small degree of insight into that part of the business.

Again, very pleased to know that your hangin' in there and business is good.

 

[KeithB]

Be glad to help with machining related questions, but I note that there are already some very good machinists here offering some excellent advice. Smokeywolf comes to mind.

Since I have progressed beyond the hobby-equipment stage I don't think I can offer much useful advice for people trying to buy that sort of equipment, so I plan to stay out of the"What small lathe/mill/etc. should I buy for hobby work?" discussions. Again, there are people on this forum that are much more knowledgeable about this sort of thing.

 

[S Mac]

Welcome Keith, you have been missed.

 

[Josh]

When we switched to making aviation products I boxed up all my remaining inventory of reloading products. After we move to a new shop I plan to dig them out and maybe sell out the remaining items. I didn't really join this site as a commercial venture.

Like Brad told me, there will be no vendors here, but if a member can make a few bucks nobody will say anything. I personally like that style of sales.

 

[Maven]

Glad to learn you are alive, healthy, and undertaking a new business venture!

 

[358156 hp]

Keith, it's with great delight that I add my voice to the others welcoming you here.

 

[KeithB]

I really appreciate the warm reception from everybody. I'm really looking forward to the time when I can get back to shooting, especially handguns. I was just getting strong, stable, and comfortable with my prosthetic left leg when circulatory problems in my right leg started causing problems. First they took off half my big toe, then my fourth toe at the base, and then finally all five toes, over a period of time that has left me incapacitated for extended periods. Just about the time I recover enough to be able to go to the range something else hits.

The doctors have done some good work improving the blood flow to my peripheries, my right foot is almost completely healed, and once we get past the knee issue I should be as good as new. Had cataract surgery earlier this year so my vision is better than it has been in a long time. Getting some dental issues fixed, already had the first bad teeth extracted. This is something I can heal from.

Don't mean to make this sound like a soap opera or a pity party. I truly feel darned lucky to be alive. And nothing that has happened has discouraged me from chasing my dream to own a modestly successful machine shop where I can do interesting things everyday. Nothing that has happened to make me want to quit or to stay in a chair when I can get on my feet with some work.

When I feel like I can stand on both of them and be stable enough not to be a danger to the people around me then I plan to burn a bunch of powder. I have some lovely handguns that are tired of being safe queens. Probably start with my #1 fun gun, a S&W M10 w/4" skinny barrel and fixed sights. Accurate, reliable, very amenable to cast bullets, and muzzle blast and recoil that's easy on the nerves. After that, I've got more guns in .44 Special than any other caliber, so I'll probably move to one of my M24s or 624s for some therapy. And when I get stable enough to bend over and pick up my brass without falling on my face I will break out one of my Colt 1911s.

Who knows, if all goes well I may even get back to shooting trap again. I can shoot a handgun with one hand while standing using a cane, but not a shotgun or rifle.

 

[RBHarter]

Great to hear your still with us . I'll look forward to the whys of what I'm doing wrong again .