What Did You Buy Today?

[matthewsx]

I needed a piece of angle aluminum 3”x3” however long. I went to the local metal supply. Looking in the rem section I found a piece of 4x4”x 3 feet. $2.39 lb. 13 lbs. $33.50 with tax. Pretty good. I then decided to see what McMaster would be.

Ouch!


Cutting oil is my blood.

Not really a fair comparison.

What if the yard didn’t have what you wanted as a drop?

Would they bring it to you the next day?

Did you get a traceable certificate?

All that stuff is worth money to a business, for hobby use maybe not so much.

McMaster is in the business of being a quick, reliable source for other businesses. If you’re running a machine shop you’ll have dedicated metal suppliers but they’ll expect you to buy full lengths and a certain minimum for delivery. If your business is something else the boss probably doesn’t want you taking half a day to drive over to the metal supply to save $126.

Nice that you have one close by, I’d have to drive 45min each way just to see if there was anything I could use. Probably would go to eBay and deal with the wait for that price though. But if I really needed it it’s nice to know that I can get it in a day or two without any hassle.

Your little doggie probably enjoyed the ride though

Cheers,

John

 

[extropic]

@twhite
Although I "liked" Matt's post, I also understand, and agree with what you both said. I don't think you were trashing McMaster. Rather celebrating your shopping success. It's nice to have IMS near by and to have easy access to their rem inventory with the (slightly) lower prices. I say 'slightly' because the price of any raw stock seems high these days.

 

[G-ManBart]

I clearly am a sucker for lathes....and when they're cute, cheap, and 10 minutes from my house it's hard to say no! I brought home a nice South Bend 10K with the short 3ft bed. I gave it about an hour's worth of cleaning and lubricating then ran it through all the speeds and feeds and everything works as it should. The chuck has major runout, so that's getting replaced. I'll probably put a Bostar AXA on it and get one of the 3D printed threading dials as well. I doubt I'll keep it, but I haven't had a 10K before and thought it would be fun. It's considerably quieter than the two 10Ls I've had before, which really surprised me. The compound has just one tiny nibble on it, so I think it may have lived a pretty easy life. If I read the Swells database correctly this is a 1950 machine and I think they stopped making the 3ft bed in 1958. About the only thing missing I can tell is the pull rod that goes through the headstock to release tension on the belts....should be an easy thing to make.

It's only on casters temporarily....before someone asks.

 

[yota]

took my 2nd bit haul out of the home made evaporust the other day and sprayed em down with Boeshield like I do with everything. yes, they are all Cleveland Twist Drill bits except for a handful of german bits. got a "bit" of sharpening to do.

 

[yota]

I clearly am a sucker for lathes....and when they're cute, cheap, and 10 minutes from my house it's hard to say no! I brought home a nice South Bend 10K with the short 3ft bed. I gave it about an hour's worth of cleaning and lubricating then ran it through all the speeds and feeds and everything works as it should. The chuck has major runout, so that's getting replaced. I'll probably put a Bostar AXA on it and get one of the 3D printed threading dials as well. I doubt I'll keep it, but I haven't had a 10K before and thought it would be fun. It's considerably quieter than the two 10Ls I've had before, which really surprised me. The compound has just one tiny nibble on it, so I think it may have lived a pretty easy life. If I read the Swells database correctly this is a 1950 machine and I think they stopped making the 3ft bed in 1958. About the only thing missing I can tell is the pull rod that goes through the headstock to release tension on the belts....should be an easy thing to make.

It's only on casters temporarily....before someone asks.

View attachment 493597View attachment 493598View attachment 493599View attachment 493600View attachment 493601View attachment 493602View attachment 493603

just sold my 1953 9A a couple of weeks ago and picked this cute little guy up. this one was born in 1967.

 

[twhite]

@twhite
Although I "liked" Matt's post, I also understand, and agree with what you both said. I don't think you were trashing McMaster. Rather celebrating your shopping success. It's nice to have IMS near by and to have easy access to their rem inventory with the (slightly) lower prices. I say 'slightly' because the price of any raw stock seems high these days.

Not trashing McMaster in the slightest. Just stoked on the cash I saved. I have a McMaster account and use them often.

Yes a drop, yes I could have certs for that part as all the info is on the stock still. Might take a day to get it. Yes I could have it the next day or later the same afternoon if placed by 9:00 am. Pick up as they are 5 miles away.


Cutting oil is my blood.

 

[matthewsx]

Not trashing McMaster in the slightest. Just stoked on the cash I saved. I have a McMaster account and use them often.

Yes I could have certs for that part as all the info is on the stock still. Might take a day to get it. Yes I could have it the next day or later the same afternoon if placed by 9:00 am. Pick up as they are 5 miles away.


Cutting oil is my blood.

I didn’t think you were trashing them, just pointing out the differences.

Us hobby folks have to save money wherever we can, so we can buy new tools….

John

 

[twhite]

just sold my 1953 9A a couple of weeks ago and picked this cute little guy up. this one was born in 1967.

That is a bit larger than your 9A. Nice score.


Cutting oil is my blood.

 

[FOMOGO]

Both nice machines, and nice sizes for different types of work. The great majority of work is done up close to the chuck anyway. Though it is good to have the extra length, and swing when you need it. Mike

 

[twhite]

I didn’t think you were trashing them, just pointing out the differences.

Us hobby folks have to save money wherever we can, so we can buy new tools….

John

FYI it is Industrial Metal Supply I got it from. They are up your way also in San Jose. Check them out.


Cutting oil is my blood.