The Home Machinist!

I see that Glen's link to Yardstore has a 'common' microstop for $10 (https://www.yardstore.com/common-microstop-used), although it doesn't have a nylon face. Pardon my ignorance, but does that outer sleeve spin; that is, if you bring the drill press down hard does it want to burrow a 3/4" (or ...

Thanks, Harold. No worry about marks in the copper-clad, the panel is covered afterward with a (printed-on), opaque plastic overlay; just a few mils of vinyl with a very aggressive adhesive. Kind of a trick to position it properly, but practice makes perfect, as my mom used to say. I do like the ide...

Thanks, Harold. Previous to this I wasn't at all familiar with Microstop technology. After looking at you guys' references, along with a couple of YouTube videos, I'm now actually terrified of them. I found a couple on eBay at a good price and came close to buying one to give it a try, but have had ...

I'm countersinking into pretty thin stuff, 0.050, so I opted for 4-40 screws with a 100°head. Countersink to match, of course. Just in case the cone of the head pokes out the backside, there's a washer with a spacious ID between the panel and the standoff. Most available standoffs are countersunk a ...

Aha! That looks perfect, Marty (woops, I mean Russ). Not only does it have a 'holefinder,' but it's carbide, so it won't dull quickly working into fiberglass, and it has two flutes to cut symmetrically and not shake the workpiece. My only question is what does that threaded shank screw into? I'll wo...

Historically, enclosure panels for electronic project boxes have been sheet metal, most often aluminum, and in thicknesses between 0.050 and 0.125, depending on the size of the panel and need for mechanical rigidity. For home hobbyists like myself, getting these panels fabricated at a local shop is ...

Holy moly! All that makes very good sense, nice tutorial, thanks. Trouble is, I'll be looking for someone to do this job for me, beyond my pay grade. But at least I'll know the trouble the guy can get into and will discuss this beforehand. Nice tip on having a spare bushing; glad I ordered three!

That sounds like a safe bet. I was afraid that after squeezing the bushings they might have to be reamed, which I don't think Oilite likes much. Thanks.

You're as likely to be asked, "Do you want fries with those lights?" I buy mine on eBay from this guy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/253841793249. Less than $5.50 each in 25s with free delivery. So far not a single failure. Love your Mission Statement (motto) and great track record! Oh, good lu...

Just saw this, wish I'd chimed-in earlier. I was faced with the same situation, though not on as large a scale as you guys... just a kitchen, garage and over-workbench hanging lights. I used the existing fixtures and bought the LED 'tubes' that connect on the two ends, like Bill Shields mentioned ab...

Need a bit of guidance here. I've got a turntable, part of an old piece of sound recording equipment that I'm restoring. The turntable has a dead-nuts-on 0.750" steel shaft that drops into a cast aluminum well and sits on a nylon ball at the bottom. Problem is that the well ID is too sloppy and...

Rick, thanks very much. What you linked me to, except with a 1/2" bore, is exactly what I need!