Getting Back on a Metal Forum

[Essexmetal]

Kerry, its like all the other equipment, once you're in the community you end up in contact with everyone else with the same stuff. I was lucky to get mine very well tooled but the network of Eckold owners in Europe have been able to find me some odd ball tooling when needed. One of my favorite features is the size of the reformer blades you can run in the 665. There are not too many rocker panels large than what you can run though the machine.

Ownership is taken fairly seriously by the factory as well. I have had two visits from Factory Eckold people. One time there was tech visiting Michigan to service some GM equipment in Lansing. He traveled the hour to my shop to check the machine and inspect the tooling. Then one day Michael Eckold stopped by to bring me a hat and see I was treating the machine properly. I assure you he is as passionate about these machines as their owners.

There have been several 653's for sale over the years and I had looked at one before I got the 665. Never got me excited being a bottom hit machine. Not an issue with a small part but trying to support a large panel as it bounces up and down did not fit my interest. BUT these days if anyone would ask I would say buy it because there is nothing else around. Also have wondered when they designed the machine originally why they gave the base such a narrow footprint. They look like you could give it a shove and over it would go.

Kerry, as for projects, I am just getting back in my shop after 3 years. What was a couple day a week consulting job turned into a full blown position setting up the manufacturing facility for a medical company, then a move to a larger facility, then the next thing, etc. etc. and 3 years is behind me. Most of my panel work in the future will be for myself. Never did get to my sports car build. Need to get it back up on the surface plate and get into it this Winter.