DIY PowerPro Installation

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:13 pm

Ha, they said it would take 4 hours

Since I'm one of those who believe you measure 3 times and cut once, it took me 10 hours. I followed the DVD to the letter, stopping and starting it as I performed each step. And I'm mechanically inclined:eek: Having the garage air conditioned that morning really helped keep me stay focused. It was over 100 outside and a nice cool 78 in the workshop. The serial number for my PowerPro was printed on the power supply, controller and motor but no where outside where you can see it after the install. Mine is # 6568 with a date stamp of June 18, 2012.
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My PowerPro has arrived. Much smaller box than I was expecting.
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Got my Laptop at the ready with the DVD loaded and ready to go.
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Got all the new shafts installed and ready to install the motor
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My new Mr. Slim Split Air Conditioner pumping out 15,000 BTU's of cool air. It's over 100 outside and a cool 78 in my garage.

jcgorla · Post by **jcgorla** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:08 pm

Fred, you said it took you 10 hours, but would you call it challenging? I'm looking to do a DIY PowerPro upgrade when I have a chance.

Also, did you install your AC unti yourself? I'd like to do something like that to my garage.

John

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:19 pm

Fred
I believe that the number that you think is a serial number for the PP is actually the serial number of the motor only which comes from Teknatool in New Zealand. The SS number will be a date code and is contained on a small sticker that is to be put on the outside of the headstock under the large instruction sticker.
Bill V

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:28 pm

John,

I felt it was not too difficult. Now that I have done one I probably could do the second one in 2 or 3 hours, not counting time taking the old parts out. I took it slow and easy because I didn't want to make a dumb mistake, because that might be painful, money wise

I would recommend buying a tap and die set, to clean out all the threads before they become cross threads. It really helps if you have access to the dvd while you are doing the work. You will be stopping and backing up many times to re-review the instructions. It really helps if you clean and wax all openings before installing the new parts. The only thing I did differently was to expand the new power cord hole with increasing sized drill bits instead of using a rat tail file. I probably saved 30 minutes. Just don't rush it, take your time and enjoy the learning process. You will have a much better understanding of how things work under the hood after this project.

I would also have a shopvac available to suck up all the metal filings you create before they have a chance to fall into the interior of your headstock.

I blew 20 bags of insulation into the attic above the garage and installed insulating panels from Lowes to the inside of the garage door. The A/C is a 15,000 btu Mr. Slim and is a split system which was installed by two professionals in 3 hours. Google Mr. Slim.

Fred

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:30 pm

wa2crk wrote:Fred
I believe that the number that you think is a serial number for the PP is actually the serial number of the motor only which comes from Teknatool in New Zealand. The SS number will be a date code and is contained on a small sticker that is to be put on the outside of the headstock under the large instruction sticker.
Bill V

Bill,

That makes sense. I will look for the outside sticker.

Fred

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 4:55 am

fredsheldon wrote:Bill,

That makes sense. I will look for the outside sticker.

Fred

As I posted on another thread the sticker is blank for the DIY upgrade.

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 5:29 pm

Ok, I drilled out 30 wood blanks for my pen/letter opener gift kits, drilled some 1/2 inch holes, sanded some dowls down with the disk sander and used the band saw to cut 40 more pen blanks using my new PowerPro. The first thing I noticed was how quiet this upgrade is. I also like the way you can dial in what piece of equipment you are using, blade size, type of wood and it sets the speed for you

Also like the way you can adjust the speed up and down 1 rpm at a time on the fly. Next will be to turn my pens blanks once the glue dries. This will be the true test for me. Do I think the upgrade was worth it. Yes.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 5:44 pm

fredsheldon wrote:Ok, I drilled out 30 wood blanks for my pen/letter opener gift kits, drilled some 1/2 inch holes, sanded some dowls down with the disk sander and used the band saw to cut 40 more pen blanks using my new PowerPro. The first thing I noticed was how quiet this upgrade is. I also like the way you can dial in what piece of equipment you are using, blade size, type of wood and it sets the speed for you Also like the way you can adjust the speed up and down 1 rpm at a time on the fly. Next will be to turn my pens blanks once the glue dries. This will be the true test for me. Do I think the upgrade was worth it. Yes.

OKAY, I'll bite.

What is there about turning pen blanks that makes this the "true test".

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:24 am

dusty wrote:OKAY, I'll bite.

What is there about turning pen blanks that makes this the "true test".

Because that is what he uses it for!;)

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:55 am

dusty wrote:OKAY, I'll bite.

What is there about turning pen blanks that makes this the "true test".

Dusty, what I really liked was the ability to press 1350 and start turning the pen blanks, then press 2000 and start sanding and then press 3450 and start applying polishing compound, then press the up arrow to increase the speed from 3450 to 6000 as I buffed out the polish with a dry cloth. Then I just hit stop, no cranking down the speed control like before. Remove finished pens, install new blanks, press 1350, press start and begin the process all over again. I was able to select the same exact speeds for each step of the process for each new pen set without having to crank the speed control up and down each time. I turned and finished 15 pens/letter openers in 2 hours last night. And of course, it's so quiet you have to check to see if the motor is actually on

Is it worth $1,400. For me the answer is yes, but it helps to have a little cash sitting in your bank account looking for something to be spent on