LukeFlynn wrote:Well, if you did such mod, I'm sure you would be the proud owner of the (I think) only pressure profiling Mistral to exist, I saw the auction for this machine.. if you paid the asking price you'd get something better than a Strada MP for shy of half the price.. and hell it looks better than the slayer too. I'm imagining how it looks with the wood in place now *coffeegasm*

The mod looks easy enough (famous last words), but I'm happy as it is (won't last long). The Strada mod is on my to do list, but that list is long and that mod is near the bottom.

Now about the machine looking better than the Slayer... Hmm, I like to think that they both have their plusses. Now the Speedster on the hand. Yum. I'm more than pleased about the fact that Kees van der Westen had a hand in designing the Mistral since it scratches my itch for one his machines (for now). However, I would really like to know how much of the design they kept true.

I like the Kees van der Westen Spirit.. I feel like it's would've been the new mistral if LM still made it.

Speaking of which...



Dan Specht of Specht Design in Melbourne. The stuff he's pumping out is incredible. I can't wait to get my pieces back from him.

cebseb wrote:Speaking of which...

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Dan Specht of Specht Design in Melbourne. The stuff he's pumping out is incredible. I can't wait to get my pieces back from him.

Can't even censor myself... Holy sh**.

Little update:

I've just been enjoying the machine and learning its intricacies for the past week. Even though pulling a shot is a bit more complicated and involved than my Linea, the Mistral is MUCH more forgiving and predictable.

With not much left to work on the machine, I decided to try my hand at some wood working which is something I have always wanted to pursue but never had the time to do so. I joined a woodshop co-op that has full-time mentoring included. For my very first project, I took on the side panel inserts.

Zebra Wood veneer bonded to an MDF backing.



It doesn't have that shine yet since I haven't decided on how I'm going to encapsulate it. Still doing research.

My mentor Jon noted that it would have been much easier to fabricate the item with solid Zebra Wood (which I purchased plenty of already), but such a thin piece (12mm) would have certainly warped. I would have preferred to fabricate my own zebra wood plywood (he has a hydraulic press available), but I didn't have enough raw veneer on hand to meet the desired thickness.

cebseb wrote:Little update:

I've just been enjoying the machine and learning its intricacies for the past week. Even though pulling a shot is a bit more complicated and involved than my Linea, the Mistral is MUCH more forgiving and predictable.

With not much left to work on the machine, I decided to try my hand at some wood working which is something I have always wanted to pursue but never had the time to do so. I joined a woodshop co-op that has full-time mentoring included. For my very first project, I took on the side panel inserts.

Zebra Wood veneer bonded to an MDF backing.

<image>

It doesn't have that shine yet since I haven't decided on how I'm going to encapsulate it. Still doing research.

My mentor Jon noted that it would have been much easier to fabricate the item with solid Zebra Wood (which I purchased plenty of already), but such a thin piece (12mm) would have certainly warped. I would have preferred to fabricate my own zebra wood plywood (he has a hydraulic press available), but I didn't have enough raw veneer on hand to meet the desired thickness.

That is going to look amazing...

Update:

I finally got the panels back yesterday! All 10 panels were individually wrapped and taped up. Unwrapping all of them felt like Christmas. Pure joy!

Seattle Powder Coat did a phenomenal job and I will most definitely use them again in the near future.

There are still some details that need to be finished before it is complete (like the group caps and fittings from Specht Design). Here are a couple teasers in the meantime.

Lookin' SAWEET! BTW, what's the XD stand for?

It really looks sweet! "XD" Is a laughing face, something you don't see much with this new emoji thing.. Being creative with letters is always fun.

Compass Coffee wrote:Lookin' SAWEET! BTW, what's the XD stand for?

Ha! That's an emoticon. My wife's personal touch. It translates to this...