Building a better Guinea and Feather

Step 2 Before we begin

I designed everything in AutoCAD 2000 and a detailed drawing will be available at the end of this instructable. All of the machining was done on manual (non CNC) shop equipment and any well equipped machine shop should be able to reproduce any of these parts without too much trouble. At the very least, you'll need a milling machine and a lathe with both 3-jaw dependent and 4-jaw independent chucks (a collet chuck helps too), a band saw for rough cuts, taps, and a wide assortment of end mills and drill bits.

The stock material needed for this includes acrylic, aluminum, and 303 stainless steel.

Before we use any power tools, let's take a moment to talk about shop safety. Be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools properly will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury. And remember this: there is no more important safety rule than to wear safety glasses.