The Home Machinist!

Thanks for the info, Rich, Bill and Steggy. My rational self has won out and I'll order from McMaster. About $25 for a gallon plus shipping. Considering the value of my machines, it's best to get the right stuff. (And I won't forget to order those 3/32 drill bits, too.)

Bill Shields wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:37 pm You and me both.

Get some cutting oil while you are at it, and some drills.

I keep a list on my computer ....

Ah, Bill — THANKS! 3/32 drill bits! (viewtopic.php?p=472719#p472719)

Just suck it up and have a gallon shipped and chalk it off as shop expense. Yeah. But the Scottish in me resists that. I'll have to have a talk with that part of me. (And, of course, if I order from McMaster, as soon as I submit the order I'll think of at least two other things I could have ordered...

Hi folks. After many years I've used up the gallon jug of "spindle oil medium" that I've used for the tapered roller bearings on the Atlas lathe (The Flexible Flyer), the other machine tools, and other things around the shop. There is no other info on the jug as to what it was. The Atlas b...

The cinders would add a bit of roughage, too.

A couple of tips for a new shop: lots of electric outlets. Put them bench height from the floor, and not less than 4-hole. Perhaps about 4 to 6 feet apart. Consider an outlet strip at the back of the workbench. A few 220-volt also. And Do Not use white PVC for air. Some folks do but it is not recomm...

And there is the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris. That's a bit out of the way but they have a large collection of locomotives, cars and traction equipment.

Oh my. I totally missed the "via LA" part of your post. Much of what I wrote was assuming you'll be going straight from SF to Vegas. In addition to what Andy mentioned, there is Travel Town, next to the LA Live Steamers. If you can, take a peek into Los Angeles Union Station. The architect...

John above mentions the Roaring Camp and Big Trees railroad in Felton. I didn't note that because it's really not on the way from SF to LV, but it is most worth a visit if you can make it. They run a Shay into the woods and up one of the steepest grades in the country. You can get a cab ride and to ...

If you give us more information about your route and schedule we can better advise you. You have two options for a route: over I-80 toward Reno (or 50 past South Lake Tahoe) and down 395 on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, cutting through Death Valley, or down through California's Ce...

I have more tools, supplies, and miniature train jewelry than I'd like to admit that I bought but hasn't yet used. However, I have a sense of wellbeing just knowing they are going to be there when and if I do need them, so they were a good investment. No, Dick. It doesn't work that way. See my post...

Re. white lead, if you can find an old tube of artist's oil pigment labeled white lead, that's probably what it is. I've got one that is perhaps 30 years old and have used it for lubing centers and it seems to work.