Becoming hobby machinist in the near future.

[StevSmar]

"wait, what, when did this happen" look.

I’m learning that look...LOL. I’m sure my wife has a mental inventory of all my tools that have excessive amount of chrome or volume.

 

[Rodneyk]

I’m learning that look...LOL. I’m sure my wife has a mental inventory of all my tools that have excessive amount of chrome or volume.

I have been looking at getting these machines (or similar) for many years. I finally told my wife that I was going to pull the trigger and she just rolled her eyes in disbelief since I always seem to do a lot of research then decide it is too much money. Well this time I pulled the trigger and then explained that it was going to be a LOT more expensive than the initial investment.

So how about a few pics:
The first is a close up of some chips in mild steel I have been making.
The second is my first functional part. This is a bracket to home the Z axis power feed endstop over the DRO sensor since they need to mount in a similar place. Using this I don't need to drill any new holes in the machine as I will reuse the DRO holes.

Sorry about the quality of the finish (The photos make stuff stand out the is barely visible on the part). I have not yet trammed the machine which may be part of the issue. I also had not received my facing mill at this point, so all facing was done with a 1/2" end mill. This was cut from 1.5" square bar of Mild Steel.

The bottom holes were milled so I could have some up/down adjustment in case I missed the mark on the hole. The top holes were drilled and tapped.

This is actually the second go at the bracket. The first one was looking very good until I realized that the power feed switch bracket is larger than the DRO bracket. ARGH Measure Once Cut Twice. And I was being so careful too... The second one (pictured here) took a lot less time because I let the mill take larger depth cuts, and I slowed down the RPM to a better speed.

 

[Rodneyk]

Putting some pieces together...

The bracket installed over the DRO Bracket. When installing this I made a discovery that there are two washers UNDER the DRO as a shim on the head.

This is the endstop switch mounted (loosely) on the bracket.

This is the endstop bar which has the settable positions.
I will need to mount this on a couple of blocks to make up for the DRO also. but those can be simple blocks.

 

[StevSmar]

I have been looking at getting these machines (or similar) for many years. I finally told my wife that I was going to pull the trigger and she just rolled her eyes in disbelief since I always seem to do a lot of research then decide it is too much money. Well this time I pulled the trigger and then explained that it was going to be a LOT more expensive than the initial investment.

I told my wife I have four expensive tools to purchase before I retire... I’ve purchase two, one of which is a 12x24” lathe. When it showed up the comment from my wife was something like “normal people don’t have tools like this in their basement”- LOL.
(I’ll start up a separate thread about it once it makes it into the basement)

 

[fursphere]

I told my wife I have four expensive tools to purchase before I retire... I’ve purchase two, one of which is a 12x24” lathe. When it showed up the comment from my wife was something like “normal people don’t have tools like this in their basement”- LOL.
(I’ll start up a separate thread about it once it makes it into the basement)

Define "Normal people"

 

[Aukai]

That would be the ones who can't fix anything, and come to you, cuz you got a b i t c h n' set of tools

 

[Rodneyk]

That would be the ones who can't fix anything, and come to you, cuz you got a b i t c h n' set of tools

I have a neighbor who comes to me every time something breaks. So far in the last few months I have fixed his riding lawn mower, Instapot cooker, Backup power generator, light switch, Bath tub sealant, and even installed a new toilet for him. And now I with the lathe and mill I will be able to fix all sorts of stuff I couldn't before... Hmmm, maybe it is not so good that the neighbors know I can fix stuff...

 

[Rodneyk]

Well the endstop bracket is finally mounted with parts I milled myself. I was able to reuse the part the I oopsed on for the bottom bracket.

The bracket I built is under the align bracket.

This is the bracket that holds the top of the endstop behind the scales for the DRO

Entire endstop mounted.


I started to do the Z power feed install (Next step) today when I realized that I cannot find the Roll Pins and Shaft Key that are required. Also I don't have a drill bit (either #21 or 4mm) that was specified for drilling the shaft extension. After much searching I was able to locate the roll pins, not not the shaft key (3mmx15mm) so I have to place that on hold until I can get a set of keys and the drill bit. Pretty sure none of my "titanium bits" will scratch the tool steel so I ordered a solid carbide bit at 4mm.

On the lathe side of things there was a delay in shipping the lathes last week due to a problem found in QC. The problem was related to the size of the drive belts and has been addressed. The machine should ship early this week.

 

[Rodneyk]

The PM1340GT is in the mail as of this afternoon. Should be delivered in about a next week if I am lucky.
This weekend will be spent prepping the landing zone...

 

[Rodneyk]

The carbide 4mm drill bit arrived, oddly it measured 6mm in diameter, so I had to return it and order another from another place.