I couldn't help but notice that at several points he blended radii and curves with a power file and strip sander- I also suspect sandpaper & scotchbrite were used. Perfectly acceptable, and for most things, faster, cleaner, and more efficient.
But the very old school toolmakers who mentored me in the early days would shake their heads and say "tsk, tsk", or maybe even be openly disgusted. They would insist that all surfaces should be machined and blended with skill, not sanding.
Now I don't claim to never use my strip sanders and such, but I still occasionally try to achieve results that would make those old boys proud, wherever they're watching from.
Because of Aurthur Itis taking up residence in my right elbow, I can't throw a heavy bowling ball, or throw it using any usual techniques, so I must drill my own balls (ouch!) to suit my own odd technique.
Here are pics of an old fixture plate (that I bought from the scrap dealer) that I bored a hole through & then blended a radius into, to serve as a clamp to hold a bowling ball while drilling it.
There has been no sanding or polishing on this piece- the hole was bored with a boring head on the vertical mill, then the radius was cut with a corner round using a rotary table on the mill.
Not necessary that it be this pretty, and I could have saved some time doing it with less care and precision, but I'd like to think one of those crusty old guys is looking down saying "That's my boy".
Paul Short sums it up perfectly- "..Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude..."
