New (to me) Haas VF-1 CNC Mill

In November I decided to machine a set of six lights. Other than being able to test different components side-by-side, it would allow me to get a handle on the amount of time invested in each one, and how efficient I could be on the operations side. The plan I came up with was really smooth and I don't think I could save much more time. It took about 10 hours to make each light. Yep, that's a lot.

So, working full time and then some (60 hrs a week) I could pump out 24 lights a month. This wasn't going to cut it, because I need time for things like writing this blog. It became apparent fairly quickly that if I was serious about making lights then I was going to need some more serious hardware.

If anyone needs a rigger in the Bay Area, Curtis Roybal is the man. 

I've actually been keeping my eye on Ebay for years looking for CNC machines. I was never actually planning to buy one but I always wanted one. You know, kind of like a Ferrari. It's an aspirational thing. In any case, soon after I made the big decision to make custom lights I found a really old, but really well cared for Haas VF-1. In fact, it was manufactured in 1991 and it was a screamin' deal. It started life in Ventura, CA at the Haas factory, moved to New Jersey for 20 years or so, and is now back on the west coast. Kind of amazing for a ten thousand pound machine, with no wheels, to have so many miles on it.

I had it delivered just after Christmas...and a Merry Christmas to me I might add!