I Made A Mag Dial Indicator On My Atlas 618 For My Atlas 618

Matt C: Thank you so much! It was fun to do too.....

ogberi: Thank you for the comment and the very useful information! I don't do a lot of casting. I just wanted to try melting aluminum in a home made furnace, and I was shocked that it worked. I just made a small furnace and will try melting more cans. I totally understand that it is not the best way to get aluminum, but I like being able to take trash and turn it into something. Also, I will probably melt 2 times a year. If I can find some thick walled pipe, I would like to make a crucible like yours. I will post it if I do. Thanks again......
 
Jster Great video, thanks,
do you like your milling attachment enough that you would buy one. The ones on Ebay are going for around $300 and I would still need collets and a closer. I guess that is how the end mills are held. would like your input. I have an Atlas 618 that I am trying to get up and going,
thanks Ed
 
Ed while we wait for Jster to reply, and btw I miss his videos, I can share my experience.

I have a 618 that I got years ago, and finally decided to get the milling attachment. My assessment is that it good for light milling - I normally work with aluminum and brass - all your gibbs have to be tight. However it does have a fairly small work envelop. For what I was doing at the time it was better than a file and hacksaw. Against what everyone one will advise I did hold the milling cutters in my jacobs three jaw chuck without issue.

I have since converted my JET drill press to a mill and it is far superior to the Atlas milling attachment IMHO. When this packs it in or doesn't meet my needs I will step up to a small "real" mill. And I hold all my milling cutter up to 13mm in the provided three jaw chuck.

David
 
Thanks David, With the money involved I am beginning to think that I should get a small or mini mill of some kind.
 
Ed of all trades said:
Jster Great video, thanks,
do you like your milling attachment enough that you would buy one. The ones on Ebay are going for around $300 and I would still need collets and a closer. I guess that is how the end mills are held. would like your input. I have an Atlas 618 that I am trying to get up and going,
thanks Ed
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Ed, David S is right! I got the milling attachment with another lathe. The entire lathe with the milling attachment was $350, so it was a "no brainer" to buy. I just bought it for the milling attachment and change gears. I gave the lathe (which is in EXCELLENT condition) to my brother. The envelope is small and you have to make very light cuts. I plan to get a mill when I can. I will post a Journey To Journeyman video soon and use the mill quite a bit. You can kinda see the envelope. Anyway, thank you very much and if you can get one cheap, do it........
 
Thanks Jster, Just trying to figure this thing out. I want a shop with big equipment and all the extras but I am trying to take the baby steps that I can. Just don't want to take a step that won't help. :sherlock:
 
jster1963 said:
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Hey guys,
I turned some aluminum cans into a magnetic dial indicator holder. I'm so proud of it and it's really useful. If you want to watch me make it, you can check out my Journey to Journeyman video on youtube. Be gentle guys I'm a novice.......
http://youtu.be/XPfuuUj8TxI
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Hi jster, a really interesting post, I enjoyed it very much, it reminds me of all the mistakes that I make. I am relatively new to machining but I am really getting into it with all the info that you guys post. It is a wealth of information. Thank you. Regards Basil
 
Basil: Thank you very much! This place has be such a wealth of information for me too. I'm making mistakes, but I am learning and having a ball. I'm trying to get my mistakes to be less and less;-) Thanks again.......
 
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