Basement shop equipment suggestions needed

[SouthernChap]

Yes, I was thinking this one but wired. But only mod I know of - table mounted which makes it vertical band saw. Not really useful for cutting big round stock. Or anything other then thin material type of stuff.

You hold the round stock in a vice and use the portaband like it's meant to be used.

Your arms will get tired but eh, I believe exercise is supposed to be a good thing!

 

[Ischgl99]

I do just about everything in metric, I just leave the metric change gears in there until I need to do something in imperial, then I leave the imperial gears in until I need to thread in metric again. It doesn't matter to me that the feed tables are not correct, they are close enough and I just adjust as needed. Getting a lathe that doesn't need change gears would be a nice upgrade though.

You might want to check and see if you can use the thread dial on the metric versions of the lathes, and on how many threads. I recall hearing you need to make changes to the thread dials for the full range of metric threads, and I see people with metric lathes reversing the leadscrew like I need to do on my Imperial lathe, so it may not be as much of an advantage as you think.

 

[katit]

You might want to check and see if you can use the thread dial on the metric versions of the lathes, and on how many threads. I recall hearing you need to make changes to the thread dials for the full range of metric threads, and I see people with metric lathes reversing the leadscrew like I need to do on my Imperial lathe, so it may not be as much of an advantage as you think

I get it. It's like cars with steering wheel on other side. There is no advantages at all They drive the same and can be driven on different side of a road. But I want one that more adapted to the roads I am going to take. Premium is not material when you buy new. Shopping used/deals is different story.

 

[WobblyHand]

If I recall correctly one needs a set of gears/dials to do full metric threading on a metric lead screw. These may not be included in the purchase. Pretty sure a single dial doesn't cover all the metric threads. That's about all I know on the subject, so don't quiz me on it. I

Thread 'Metric thread dial question...'

Feb 26, 2024

My metric lathe has a 2mm lead screw, and I am currently working on acquiring all the thread dial gears made for my lathe. They are 28, 36, and 40 tooth gears. I've been reading up on metric thread dial information and of course only now I see how much more complex a thread dial is on a metric lathe.

One of the informative explanations I read was that imperial threads are fractional because they are threads per inch, so they lend themselves to the fractional nature of the 360 degree dial marking system. But, metric threads are not fractional based thread sizes so they aren't as...

• o0norton0o
• Replies: 9
• Forum: GENERAL HOME MACHINE SHOP DISCUSSIONS

Hope that helps some.

 

[Larry$]

Look @ Blondihacks porta bandsaw setup. As for machining in an office, cutting fluids, lubricants, tinny chips fly everywhere. Eventually you will want to do some welding also. A 4x6 bandsaw doesn't take up a lot of space and is easily pulled out when need. They are cheap and can be made into a useable tool with a little work. With a 14" lathe you will end up wanting cut larger pieces.

If you are space constrained (never met any hobbyist not!) Use CAD or models to do multiple iterations of your proposed layout first. Look for areas that allow work to pass over top of a different machine or hang out the door when you need to cut long parts. My layout allows the slow speed cold saw to handle long parts by being near a door on one side and passing parts over a roll around tool cabinet on the other. The lathe is on the other side of the cabinet and work sticking out of the spider can pass over the cabinet. The cabinet is on casters that allow me to pull it out for access to the lathe change gear compartment. (not often needed) 3 or 4 uses of a 30" space. One side of the layout has longer narrow items arranged perpendicular to the wall rather than parallel. The spaces between become double use work spaces. It allows the surface plate to have access on one short and one long w/o moving anything. The S. Plate has a protective cover so I can use it as a work surface. One corner of the shop is packed with things I don't often use and have to move stuff to actually use them. Not ideal but still available.
This hobby has turned in to a giant rabbit hole. Always something new to be tried/learned/fixed.

 

[katit]

Thinking hard about garage, so far one thing that concerns me. When it's closed and I run AC/heat all is well. But in a summer if I need to pull car out/etc it's very humid here and all metal surfaces immediately get covered with condensation. With lathe I will have to religiously wipe it with oil I guess...

 

[matthewsx]

Thinking hard about garage, so far one thing that concerns me. When it's closed and I run AC/heat all is well. But in a summer if I need to pull car out/etc it's very humid here and all metal surfaces immediately get covered with condensation. With lathe I will have to religiously wipe it with oil I guess...

You put cars in your garage?

 

[Cadillac STS]

Here is the harbor freight bandsaw stand to use with a portaband

Universal Portable Band Saw Benchtop Stand

Amazing deals on this Universal Portable Band Saw Stand at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I've seen it in person, looks like good quality tool

 

[katit]

You put cars in your garage?

Now that I built second1200sqft garage I do. This one (2 car) is a shop. So it's a garage for ongoing project. Door rarely opens but still..

 

[matthewsx]

Now that I built second1200sqft garage I do. This one (2 car) is a shop. So it's a garage for ongoing project. Door rarely opens but still..

Kinda thought how that was.

Just wait until the weather is right before you open the one your shop is in, its not like you want to roll your project car out into the snow....

BTW,

We need pictures of your project car/s....

John