Few recent additions to my shop. First is a Lufkin groove micrometer bought at an antique shop for $20.
Saw a great deal on eBay for a Millfast Products 4-button control. I plan on making a full enclosure for my Tormach 1100 next year which will make the machine controls really inconvenient to reach. Tormach sells a kit to move the controls to an external box, but it eliminates the manual control switches for the spindle and coolant. The Millfast control box will give me a second E-stop wherever I mount the box, plus some of the keyboard quick-keys to well. Currently the keyboard gives me a second E-stop if I can find the ESC key on the keyboard. Gonna feel a lot more comfortable with a big red button. Paid $100 for the controller.
Also found a good deal on some brand new Nicholson 4" die files. Couldn't pass up the price at $30 shipped. I've seen these go for over $10 each on eBay. Not as good a deal as Susan of SF recently snagged, but I'm happy with $3 each.
Picked up some 5/8" brass rounds for an Erector set I reproduce. There's about 5' in total length, cost $35 shipped.
Lastly, a good selection of roll-form taps. I have dozens if not hundreds of spiral point and spiral flute taps, but have never used a roll form tap. I understand they are more robust than conventional taps, especially for power tapping. They don't cut threads, my understanding is they more emboss or press the thread into the material. They require different tap drills than conventional taps, so new charts will be headed to the shop.
Bruce
