[TheForge] Speaking of benders...

Fri Mar 15 10:47:04 2002

Water, steam, wind, even animal power can and sometimes is used, but the
Amish often cut pretty close to modern technology. I once called an Amish
wainwright up on using a cordless drill in his work. In my mind electricity
was electricity and I understood that to be prohibited, but he pointed out
that it was DC, not AC and no connection to the outside world was required.
He charged the batteries with a solar cell. His shop was more outfitted than
mine with all the equipment converted over to pneumatic motors. The air
compressor was powered by a fuel oil engine. They are masters of getting
things done without enslaving themselves to the modern world. Depending on
the district they reside in and the deacon for that area they might be able
to utilize varying degrees of technology while remaining faithful, according
to the deacon's interpretation.

I've actually spent right smart amount of time with some Amish families over
the years. Even had a big group of them come to Texas one Christmas on a
vacation. There were 17 of them packed into a rented 12-passenger van driven
by the Mennonite husband of one of the daughters.

One of my Amish friends is a wheelwright. I commented once on how close he
came to the "real" world in some of his dealings. His reply to me at the
time is one I will always remember. "Yes, we Amish split some mighty fine
hairs." Faith is in the heart.

Donn

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Sproul" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Speaking of benders...

>         Some folks have claimed they use water power, or generators to
> produce power to run their machines.............. it's not that they
> shouldn't use electricity, I think it is they are not to be connected to
the
> rest of the world or "grid" as it is called.   This theory brings to
> question the purchase of fuel oil, but I don't know enough about their
> believes or foundations to comment on what they are allowed or not to do.
>
> Ralph
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "D.E. (Donn) Barnes" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 8:49 AM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Speaking of benders...
>
>
> > And I was at an Amish buggy auction in Indiana last week watching a
> Hosfeld
> > sell for almost $500.00. It and a 25# Little Giant were the hottest
items
> in
> > the "junk" sale. Several nice anvils and a big swage block too.
> >
> > (Wonder how the Amish would power the trip hammer?)
> >
> > Donn
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "John Chobrda" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 7:25 AM
> > Subject: Re: [TheForge] Speaking of benders...
> >
> >
> > >     Loyd: I don't know how much free time you have, but if you can,
try
> to
> > > haunt the equipment auctions. I was at at sheet metal shop sale
> Wednesday
> > and
> > > saw a "real" Hossfeld with a ton of dies go for $300. If you can't do
> that
> > > try some used machinery dealers.
> > >
> > > Loyd Craft wrote:
> > >
> > > > I've been debating the past several months whether to buy one of the
> > > > compact benders and a healthy selection of the dies for it, from
shop
> > > > outfitters (www.shopoutfitters.com).    One of the things I don't
like
> > > > about internet shopping is I can't hold the darned thing in my hand
> and
> > > > work the thing.
> > > >
> > > > Good money for a better tool never bothers me.  I hate buying tools
> > > > twice.  But the money we're talking about here is real good money
and
> my
> > > > expectations would be rather high.
> > > >
> > > > The majority of my time with it would be in making tube frames for
> > > > equipment carts, dollies, racks, and the occasional go-kart.
round
> > and
> > > > square tubing.
> > > >
> > > > Need to get something soon.  I've got 6 pieces of equipment that
> really
> > > > need their own cart or dolly so I don't have to carry them around.
> > > >
> > > > The question is then, I guess...   The expensive one, or the one
> Harbor
> > > > Freight sells, then go buy a big pile of tubing with the difference.
> > > >
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