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Projects and Articles by Our Members!

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Bridgeport Series 1 VS 2hp Motor Tear Down and Bearing replacement

Atwatters Shop Made SB Copy Grinding Jig

Bridgeport Series 1 VS 2hp lower end putting it back together.

1925 Superior Dual Spindle Horizontal Milling Machine

Bridgeport Series 1 VS 2 HP reinstall head

Bridgeport Series 1 VS 2hp Tear down of the table and saddle

3/4" Spindle Modification for Craftsman/Dunlap AA 109.20630

Bridgeport Series 1 VS 2hp Spindle rebuild & tear down

Hardinge HLV (not H) ca. 1950 (no oiling unit on carriage)

Bridgeport Series 1 VS 2hp belt housing tear down and rebuild

My humble shop & a few projects over the years

Scraping in all bearing surfaces on my Wards/Logan 10"

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I've been working on my lathe off and on over the past several weeks or months, but I've been hesitant to start a thread documenting my progress (or lack thereof!) for fear of embarrassing myself. I'm increasingly confident that I'm going to end up with a very precise lathe rather than a very large pile of cast iron dust and tears, so I'm finally willing to share my progress. After creating...

Machine Restorations

KO-Lee Cutter/Grinder Revamp

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Perhaps you've seen this from other photos... It's a KO-Lee cutter grinder. It's a good platform and the table and all mechanisms are in excellent condition. I don't think this machine was used much in it's lifetime as there are very few signs of wear (hardly any at all really). The motor is the weak link. The bearings are going bad and vibration can be felt in the short shaft. The...

Fabrication Projects Machine & Tooling Repair Machine Restorations

Restoring an old powered hacksaw

Jul 29

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Figured I'd share my restoration project! I've always found these old machines quite cool and when a neighbour offered me a defective one for free, I couldn't say no!

This is the machine as I got it, it runs but won't lower the sawblade so you have to manually push it against the work piece, which becomes quite the challenge and dangerous as heck when it's moving back and forth. The...

Machine Restorations

9A project completed

Sep 11

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Some of you guys may remember this little crudball I acquired back in April... I had just completed the last project, the Seneca Falls #30 resto-mod,(project of the month) when this lathe found it's way to me via a friend of a friend. My friend, who is also a tool salesman, showed me a pic of this on his phone, which came from his friend, the seller, who now is a retired tool room...

Machine Restorations

Clausing 1771 Drill Press Restoration

Dec 23

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I picked up a Clausing variable speed drill press from a Craigslist ad. I offered the guy $200.00 and he accepted. The drill press was in decent overall condition, and had a new motor on it. I disassembled the machine and cleaned up and painted everything. Mechanically, it was in very good condition, and the only real repair work I did was to straighten a few of the handle arms. One...

Machine Restorations

Phase converter vs VFD

Nov 19

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I know these questions come up but I need some input. So far I have the Bridgeport mill on a VFD. Now I need to power the lathe and the surface grinder. The question is to keep going VFD or to buy a rotary phase converter. Literature says I need a 15hp VFD for a 7.5hp lathe. I was hoping to get a 10hp RPC and use the existing 40amp circuit its on. If I go RPC, I need to pull another wire and...

how to cut a taper thread

Nov 18

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What is the process for cutting a taper thread? I am guessing I would need to use my taper attachment.

fusion 360 or solid works

Nov 15

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I have no formal training and everything I have learned about machining has come from members here, you tube, and trial and error. With that being said, which program would you recommend someone like me? I have never used any type of design software but it would be nice to print out a set of prints vs drawing them.

Question for you tool lovers

Nov 15

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If you had to start over, to replace your equipment and power/hand tools. How much money would it take? I need to come up with a budget. Excluding the lathe and mill, I think at least $25,000 for hand and power tools and another $7,500 for lathe/milling accessories. New lathe and mill, $18,000. Welding and plasma, $6,500 What say you?

How-To Videos

Nov 14

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We post at least 1 short video a week, help us with topics that you might like us to cover on YouTube channel. Plastics are more flexible than metals or wood How to Square a Plastic Block Machining plastics - long and strong chips of material How to clamp a plastic block into a vise

The Plasti-Block YouTube Channel Is Now Live!

Nov 06

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The Plasti-Block YouTube Channel Is Now Live! Following a number of inquiries about our plastics including what type to choose and how to use them, we decided it would be beneficial to create an information hub from which we can share our knowledge and experience with you. We have chosen to start a YouTube channel as videos are an excellent way to show, in detail, the many aspects of...

L-W Dividing Head Change Gears

Nov 05

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I recently bought a L-W Dividing Head. It came with three dividing plates and a tail stock. It was missing the auxiliary shaft assembly and the change gears. My question is, does anyone know what the pitch and pressure angle of the change gears are? I would like try to make a set of change gears. I found a single change gear for a L-W on Ebay but the description of the tooth count and the...

Calculating a circle segment?

Nov 05

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Forgive me if parts of this do not make sense, as I am not sure how to even ask what I want. I wish to learn how to calculate partial circles cut into an object. Example: If I have a round knob already, and I want to cut in shallow radii around the circumference, like above, I need to be able to calculate the width of the circle for a given depth of that circle, or once I know the width I...

Measuring and grinding a V block for a suburban master grind

Nov 04

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I purchased a suburban master grind awhile back and unfortunately it didn't come with the v block assembly. I ended up purchasing the v block from suburban and it states when buying that finally fitment is necessary. Okay so I mounted a pin gauge in the V block and did some measuring. Of course every measurement I take has like .0002 variance. I am pretty new to this but from my understanding...

Too Many Chips in the Scroll when Boring

Nov 04

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When using a boring bar, the chips are pushed into the bore. I’m curious what you do to keep chips out of the scroll on a 3 jaw. I just cleaned it, now I have to do it again. (On the other site someone would say, “don’t use a 3 jaw”) Ball of foil stuffed into the bore? I appreciate your ideas. Jeff

New 3 1/2" jaws?

Nov 03

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I bought a vise with no maker mark and it was missing jaws. It is 3 1/2" and the mounting holes are 2 1/4" on center. Can't seem to find anything online. I guess I could make some but wouldn't I want to have them hardened? Anyone know if a source for pre-made jaws?

Tap and Clearance Drill Sizes-Clarification Needed

Oct 31

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Hi gang, I am acquiring quality drill bits for general use but mostly to fabricate and repair low carbon steel, cast iron and aluminum. I have a drawer full of bits but, I recently purchased a good set of fractional Rushmore drill bits (short-the name eludes me). I also buy quality tap and threading dies. My next purchase is to fill in the gaps for lettered and numbered bits. Example, to drill...

Repurposed slip wrench

Oct 30

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If anyone on here has ever owned / maintained an in-board engine boat you may have, used, and or seen one of these adjustable slip / lock nut wrench. They are "used" to adjust the packing nuts on the engine shaft... note "used" in quotes... they generally do not work, especially on older saltwater boats, and most folks generally resort to using pipe wrenches etc.. i have personally seen one...

Tread mill motor

Oct 30

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After seeing what can be done with treadmill motors I’ve been on the hunt for one , I found a free one on CL and here it is. I don’t think it’s reversible as the brushes are at a slight angle. The flywheel fan didn’t want to come off , I found one of the resistors legs on the card broken , should be able to solder it back together. I guess my question is what will I have to get to make it...

Rohm Supra Drill Chuck needs a new arbor

Oct 26

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I bought the Jacob's arbor removal tools, 3 different sizes. Either too big or too small. If you aren't familiar with a Rohm, made in Germany, keyless drill chuck, they are very close to an Albrecht. I have seen videos where they drilled and pinned the old arbor to make a stop for a pipe to allow the wedges to work. I got this pic online. Mine is in better shape, same idea though. Any other ideas?

Cutting down QCTP tool holders

Oct 25

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We've touched on this subject. The BXA QCTP I bought for my Grizzly G0773 lathe / mill combo (12 x 27 swing & c - c) doesn't sit low enough on my cross slide. I couldn't begin to mill the holders as they are too hard. So it was suggested that I mount 1 up in the 4 jaw & starting from the center, cut it to size. OK, got it chucked up. What insert or cutter should I use?

Milling t slot nuts that I bought

Oct 25

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Issue #1: I goofed and order t slot nuts for my Shars x-y table with a 5/8" threaded hole instead of for a 5/8" slot. They are case hardened. Can they be milled or do I just order the correct ones? Issue #2: I also ordered nuts for my P&W 3C mill and they fit pretty darn well except just a hair too tall, so I need to mill them too. The nuts are Shars and it doesn't say what type of steel.

Any Variable Speed Drive Experts Out There?

Oct 23

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I am in the process of restoring an old Powermatic E-16 wood planer. I have run into a problem disassembling the Mills drive. I am hoping someone has done this before or has some diagrams, pictures, etc. I have removed everything I could, but the shaft has a boss on it, so all the remaining parts have to come off in the other direction. As you can see from the pictures, there are two ears...

Another VFD Question -Fluxmaster 50

Oct 23

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I have been struggling with this VFD from day one. When I went to see this Bridgeport before I purchased it the VFD gave the same error codes. For the record, It's the original GE 1HP, 3 phase, step pulley motor. I am getting an intermittent stoppage during use with an error code OCA. Every time I toggle off the Drum Switch I get an "OCA" code. I reset and it may start up or it may give me...

rossetta stone?

Oct 22

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This is on my 1916 Southbend Lathe any idea of what it is decoding? I am really hoping it somehow is telling me what gears to use and their position to let me cut threads. now that I have all of these

Dividing Heads

Oct 22

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3 Dividing Heads & 3 tailstocks. They are L to R & B to F: Van Norman 10", Brown & Sharpe 10", Van Norman 7 1/2". The B&S is the most widely copied dividing head ever. Copies started showing up as soon as the patent ran out in the early 20th century & are still being made. So, that was my 1st choice. My mill is a Van Norman, though. So when a couple of that brand came along at good prices, I...

Chrome-Moly-Nickel steel

Oct 21

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Hello I need to remove about 8 thou from the diameter of some 7/8" rods of the above material. What is the best way of going about it on a lathe please? The current finish on the rods is impressively smooth. Needle rollers will be running on the reduced diameter surface, so I need to get an appropriate finish. Regards Doug

Resettable overload (fuse) and marring workpieces

Oct 21

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I have a Grizzly 7x12 lathe that uses a 4amp fuse. I've had to replace it twice already. I'm looking for a way to have a "resettable" replacement for the fuse so I don't have to worry about it. I know good work practice eliminates the issue, but I still want to do it anyway. Also, any suggestions on preventing workpiece damage when using the chuck? I keep marring the workpiece when I tighten...

Car engine flywheel spacer any experience?

Oct 21

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I'm in the beginning stages of a car project, and i'm doubting, should i keep the insufition factory petrol engine, or do a diesel swap, the only complication is there are no factory bolt on gearboxes for those engines, so people are making adapters to fit them but also a flywheel spacer is needed, and i've never had to make one before, so i wanted to ask has anyone made one, what to look for...

An Order of Operation Question

Oct 20

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I'm making a spring clip for my dividing head. It holds tension on the sector arms that rest against the indexing plate. I have the ID dialed in on a rotary table below my mill head. Here's the question: Would you remove the part & form the bevel before or after the side is cut away?

We Are Making Progress

Oct 20

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I have been a member of this forum for several months now. Looking back, watching and reading the threads, many of us are making progress. Maybe I should read more and post less. Based on my earlier posts, questions, observations, I probably should have kept my mouth shut. Have you seen Tom Lipton's, Youtube video when he makes all 6 sides of a cube square? My version is not a perfect square...

Cobalt blanks? Other questions.

Oct 15

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I just ordered some 3/8" cobalt blanks for my lathe. Any experiences with them? I've been using 1/4" HSS and it the cutting edge dulls out quick, so I'm going to try out cobalt. Maybe the fact that it's 1/4" had something to do with it, so I ordered some 5/16" HSS blanks, too. Maybe larger blanks don't dull out as much. Also, any tips on prolonging carbide inserts for cutting tools? I chip...

What are my options for chuck replacement?

Oct 13

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I have a Grizzly 7x12 lathe that I bought a few months ago. It came with a 3 jaw chuck. I want a chuck that can grip larger diameter work pieces. I guess I can just bore out the work piece and grip it from the inside with the internal jaws the chuck came with, but I just want to get a chuck that can open up considerably more. Do I have options or am I stuck with this one? Also, a quick...

Fall Hershey purchases

Oct 13

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2 Armstrong machinist jack's $10 45 assorted reamers $50 3-1/2" vise $60 1/2" cutoff blade $8 3/8" square end t handle wrench for my lathe chuck $1 Wire and metal gauge "gauge" $5 Chunk of random metal - free sitting by trash can when guys were packing up

CNC'd Harbor frieght 8x14 linear rail upgrade...and maybe more??

Oct 12

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So I've had a harbor freight 8 x14 lathe for a while, and I cnc'd it a while back, but after converting my mill to linear rails it had to happen to the lathe too. so this is what I'm starting with And while a lot of work has already been done, such as ballscrews and spindle motor upgrades, there is so much more that can be done and this upgrade is a great excuse to do it. So I don't know...

Collet question

Oct 05

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My "new" Pratt &Whitney 3C horizontal bench mill uses unobtainium 4pn collets that have external threads and use a draw tube. The collets have no key way like R8 collets and just use friction to turn with the spindle (is that the right term?). I am going to try using an R8 collet because it is 0.05" smaller in diameter but slightly longer and I'll make a draw bar and rely on the same friction...

Tailstock clamp revisited

Oct 05

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Some time back I wrote about the tailstock on my Enco 13X40 lathe slipping while drilling. After some modifications to the flats that engage the lathe frame under the ways the problem is about 90% overcome. I finally got to put it to a real test by drilling a 3/8" pilot hole in a piece of 1018 for about 2.5 inches. At the outset the TS could be moved with a moderate force on the wheel, however...

Internal tool for external threads?

Oct 04

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Without getting into a debate about the best single point threading methods, my question is this: Will using a right hand internal lay down threading tool, with full profile inserts, cut correct external threads, when used on the back of the part, with the lathe running in reverse, feeding left to right?

Help finding an AXA holder for 26mm parting tool?

Oct 04

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Folks, I got a good deal, it seemed, on eBay for a "SPB26-3 Parting Grooving Cut-Off Blade Tool Holder 110*26mm" with some inserts. I have a 10" Logan with AXA QCTP, and I'm looking for a holder that would fit this 26mm high parting tool, without much luck. I'd appreciate finding one, or knowing that I'll have to build one. There have been some good threads and youtube videos on making a...

Looking for a specialized wrench

Oct 01

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The draw bar on my "new" Pratt & Whitney 3C mill has a big nut on the end for tightening. It is big....1+11/16ths and I am looking for a wrench to use on it. What I envision is not a big old heavy wrench but one made of flat steel with a round head and the 6 point openning....something relatively light-weight. Something like the one in this pic but hopefully just one-ended, but I am having...

VFD Lenze ac tech smvector troubles

Sep 30

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Hello everyone. I received my vfd. Got it up and running. Programmed what I thought where all necessary functions and it will not reverse the motor. I have the vfd set for forward and reverse. When you hit the reverse button. A blinking light indicating reverse blinks for about 15 seconds. That’s it. If you hit start while the light blinks it starts in forward. Can anyone help?

An Amazing Butterfly! - great hobby project

Sep 28

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This week’s Alternative Tuesday segment from the Acutabove Woodworking channel features a project An Amazing Butterfly! Our Plasti-Block™ ABS blocks are perfect for this applications because butterflies are beautiful and colorful – something they and our ABS blocks have in common! By using our colored blocks, Ken (and everyone else!) doesn’t have to worry about fading colors or poor...

How To Fabricate Plastic Vise Jaws

Sep 19

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This week’s Alternative Tuesday segment from the Acutabove Woodworking channel features a project to fabricate Vise Jaws! Every shop has an old steel vise or three. Many maker and hobby projects are held in a vise during operations such as cutting, sanding, gluing, or assembly. Sometimes the metal jaws on this vise are a bit too rough for the parts it holds causing scoring, indentations...

Altering Fusion 360 post processors to allow mill to pause and wait for spindle to ramp up

Sep 18

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If you want to hard code in a dwell time for your spindle to ramp up so you are not fiddling with your feed override knob, then here is what you do to the post processors; You will want to open up the post processor config file and locate a block of code similar to this. You can hit "ctrl+f" to do a search for "if (tool.spindleRPM" and that will likely get you down to the right section of...

Machining Kazoo Project & Classical Music

Sep 11

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Good news everyone! This week’s Alternative Tuesday segment from the Acutabove Woodworking channel features a project to machine a Canadian-themed kazoo! Ken turned some of our red and white ABS blocks into something awesome! What’s a Kazoo I hear you ask? A kazoo is a musical instrument that requires the operator to hum, not blow. By humming, a "buzzing" sound is created thanks to...

9A project completed

Sep 11

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Machine Restorations

Threading for beginners

Sep 11

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Finally gathered up all the basic stuff to start threading, I think... Threading wires, micrometer, thread pitch gauge (U.S) , fish tail gauge, and some tap and dies. I have watched a lot of videos and read a lot of stuff but this is still a bit intimidating. Equations to figure out size and charts with all kinds of numbers for outer and inner diameters, tool angles...etc Not sure I...

Help with removing Bearings, 6" Rockwell Belt Sander

Sep 09

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Has anyone removed/replaced the bearings in the upper roller/drum? There are 2 lock nuts on both ends and a notched not looks like a pre-load bearing adjustment nut. All removed, but the shaft is rock solid. Which way to press out? Thank you!

Identify antique bench mill

Sep 08

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I found this available at an auction. Anyone recognize the maker?

I Need Ideas-New Electric Motor-Different Shaft for Pulley Mount

Sep 07

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Help. I purchased a replacement motor from Graingers for my band saw refurbish. 1947 Delta 14" band saw gets a new power plant. The old motor has a 1/2" shaft with a flat for the allen bolt to mount. The new motor has a 5/8" shaft with a key way. Should I bore out the pulley? Can I buy one that fits? What would you do? Thank you for your help. Jeff

My First Home Made Spring%^!!??^GE%!

Sep 06

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I watched "This Old Tony's Video", on making your own home made springs. I need 2 springs for my sheet metal brake. I knew my set up was a gamble. I had my auto feed to 8 TPI, I had my 13" South Bend in Back Gear. I stood back and turned on my lathe. Not what I was expecting. Lessons learned though. I need a better wire tension device. Heck, I need a new set-up entirely. The 3/4" ID by 3"...

Drill/Tap chuck jaws

Sep 05

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Folks, what would you recommend for drilling and tapping jaws on a 3-jaw chuck to add dovetail jaws for bowl turning? 6" chuck, thinking of 1/4-20. Thanks, Dave

Would this wiring mistake have blown a motor?

Sep 04

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Question: Would this mistake have blown a motor? I was given a 230/460 motor that was used – but supposedly good. To test it, I temporarily wired it to my lathe VFD today. Access and visibility inside the panel was limited and I stupidly had gotten two of the motor feed wire under the same connector. So the L1 motor lead was connected to the L1 terminal, The L2 terminal was empty and L2...

Rockwell band saw motor tripping GFI

Sep 03

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Happy Labor Day, I am working on this 1947 Delta 14” band saw. I am getting close, just need one more bearing and I thought I was ready to go. I replaced the electrical source 14/3 wire. Plugged it in and the GFI tripped immediately. I checked my work, all looked good. I removed the end shield and cleaned the points. They were pretty bad. I also discovered a chaffed wire. One of 3, there are...

Mill for sale

Sep 02

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Not mine, but on local CL. FYI:https://joplin.craigslist.org/tls/d/horizontal-mill/6686690381.html

Vertical milling slide for lathe

Sep 01

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I keep coming across projects that need a small amount of milling. I have read a lot of peoples comments on how they are junk. For someone without a drill press or any other means of milling I am starting to consider adding a 4"x5" vertical mill table to my lathe...

Are You A Mechanical Engineering Genius?

Aug 31

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So you think you know about mechanical engineering, eh? Put your knowledge to the test with this short quiz from engineeringclicks, a website dedicated toall things mechanical engineering. Let us know how you did by leaving us a comment! https://www.engineeringclicks.com/quiz-are-you-a-mechanical-engineering-genius/

Do you have extra insurance for your machines/tooling?

Aug 31

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I haven’t looked into it yet, but as I sit here in Tucson sipping coffee, I worry about the security of my empty home in Northern California. I’m sure most of us,have in excess of, $30,000 worth of tools and machinery in the shop. I am curious what some of you have done insurance wise. If I had a theft or a total loss, I have replacement value up to a certain amount. If a few pieces were...

Using a Fly Cutter

Aug 30

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What is the purpose of a fly cutter and why use it instead of an endmill? Thank you Nicolas

What we Learn from this Picture?

Aug 30

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The attached picture indicates a cut using an endmill and it says it should not have been done this way but I don’t understand why. Picture is taken from https://toolingaround.ca/lms.php The text on the picture also says “..for some cuts, it is appropriate…” What are these appropriate cuts? Thank you Nicolas

Chuck problem

Aug 29

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I have a 4" D.E. Whiton 3 jaw chuck that I took apart to clean and lube because it was not working smoothly. When I was backing out the jaws I don't recall them being at all tight or difficult to remove but now that I try to reassemble it one jaw fits fine, one is tight close to the inside portion of the slot and one won't fit at all. What happened?

Inspire Creativity Using Plastics! - Video link

Aug 29

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Good news everyone! Plasti-Block™ products are going to start being featured on a YouTube channel . Currently dedicated to woodworking. To this point, the owner of the channel has only ever posted videos about working with wood, but after trying his hand with some of our ABS blocks, he couldn’t resist the opportunity of demonstrating different applications of our material. Kennyearrings1...

Where to start?

Aug 28

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I have a slug of 2" diameter aluminium 4" long that I bought just to learn on and play with. Ends are not cut exactly square and when I chuck it in my 3 jaw, about 1/32" from being all the way into the chuck and bottoming out, it has 0.037 runout. I tried repositioning in the chuck but couldn't do much better on runout. I've checked other round stock and get between 0.011 and 0.015 runout...

Everybody Is A Designer

Aug 27

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Hello everyone! We are excited to announce that we started knowledge and innovation discussions. We will be posting articles contributed by people who are passionate about innovation, hands-on prototyping and local manufacturing. We hope to inspire young people to have more involvement, learn trades or have interests in design and engineering. The first article was published today. Its...

What is it?

Aug 26

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Looking around the house and cleaning up, I found this and have no clue what it does or is. Looks to be heavy duty made in the USA

Has a polished steel ball at the end of the threads.

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