The Home Machinist!

My scan on Schlage vs Kwikset: Schlage is, or used to be, a tighter tolerance lock, and harder to pick. It has more, finer gradations of pin depths, and requires tighter tolerances for the key. A better lock to use when you need master, sub, and change keys. Kwikset is a looser tolerance lock, with ...

I would like to see a mill converted to a key duplication machine, that would be interesting. Never seen a lathe converted, but as you say, that's what a key duplication machine is, a small lathe. To duplicate a key with this setup, you'd first have to mic the existing key and then use those measure...

There's also the option of clamping a high speed motor into the quill, offset at some convenient interval in the X axis. I've toyed with fitting a trim router in there...

Hello all, long time no post. I’ve discovered a neat trick for my small mill and thought I’d share. It makes a dandy key cutting machine. Recently, I work for a real estate company that rents properties. When a tenant moves out, the locks must be changed right away. We use Schlage locks on our prope...

Well, I may have to get the Griz 6" model, it's currently on sale for $230.

How cool is that! Wow, what a treat. Thanks for sharing. Makes me wonder if my Grandfather's old belt-driven Barnes lathe is rehabbabe (is that a word?)

+ another one for Evapo Rust. It's not an acid based remover so it doesn't etch into metal, no matter how long you leave it exposed. I've forgotten tools in ER and pulled them out weeks later with no damage. Get a gallon at HF with a 20% coupon and you're out $16 or so. I've been reusing the first g...

No guidance?

@ HV, you were right. A half turn ccw and the head now lowers smoothly (yes, lubed with Vactra 2). Thanks. I really need to take off the head and look at that gib. Have been putting that off, but I've read from enough users who say it's a problem area, I dare not ignore it too long. @ Stove: That ha...

I'm considering a Griz 6" rotary table H7527 for my X3 mill, since I have $100 of credit at Amazon. Seems the H7527 offers a lot of accessories for the money (sub $300). But is it any good? I've also been playing with the idea of the Phase II 6" Rotary Table. On sale without the extra good...

Back at it. I've happily used the machine for several small projects, but it's time to get back to getting the machine in better shape. I could use some advice at this point. Here are my issues: (1) Ever since I got the column within .001 for left/right, I have ignored the fore/aft measurements, jus...

Enjoying this thread!!