The Home Machinist!

I have made ring light for my mill, see:
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/ring-light.html
The final version I am fully satisfied with and it gives very little shadowing.

I have only a small hobby mill (Seig X1) but I have fitted power feed and limit switches which are operated by a bar across the front of the table, see:
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/mill-power-feed.html
It might spark some ideas.
Mike

Here is a variation on the idea:
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/novel-q ... -post.html
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/improved-version.html

I have made a power feed for my small milling machine which looks very similar to yours, see:
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/mill-power-feed.html
Mike

I found some trays in a supermarket, see:
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/cutter-storage.html
Mike

My solution to this problem was to make an autostop that is linked to the lathe motor, see: http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/autostop.html http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/lathe-motor-control.html This system works especially well when used in conjuction with a swing up toolholder, see: http://mikeswo...

Here is my version: http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/rotary-broaching.html for use in the lathe. The same simple principle can also be used on a mill: http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/rotary-broaching-on-the-mill.html These simple tools work well but they are designed for occaisional use by hobbyists ...

These might help:
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/making- ... tters.html
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/improve ... tters.html
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/designi ... tters.html
Mike

Very nice. A comment, however: it is better not to use snap-action switches where you need precise repeatibility. They seem nice and crisp but they are actually not as repeatible as simple contacts. I like the swinging toolholder idea. Using the microswitches I get about 0.1 mm repeatability which ...

I made an electrical autostop for my minilathe, see: http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/autostop.html This auto stop was origianally designed to stop the carriage whilst it was being driven by a small DC motor. At a later date I modified the control circuit so that it would turn off the main lathe moto...

I have done the tapered bearing conversion. I just packed the bearing with wheel bearing grease containing molybdenum disulphide. That was about 5 years ago and I have not touched them since. I also put in a 100 mm diameter flanged spindle rather than the normal 80 mm one at the same time. More deta...

I use household soap as an antiscale agent. It can be shaved into flakes with a craft knife. These are then moistened with little water to make a thick paste. Smear this on the steel and wrap with some iron wire to help retain the soap. Add a bit more soap and heat gently. The mix will froth and spu...