The Home Machinist!

the guys are probably right, the higher tensile stuff might be better, but I've always used regular old junk ready rod - just because i usually have some lengths sitting around. you have to work a bit to try to bust 3/8 threaded rod.....seems to me like maybe more torque than most set ups require. i...

Do the grease zerts require a special tip on grease gun Joe, I have no idea what you are lubricating but it is very common for machines to have zerk fittings that are intended for oil NOT grease, almost for sure if its ways or feed or lead screws that we're talking about. if you or someone mistaken...

like Peter says, time to learn how to make a cutter. I have no idea whether you're new or know this, but if new its really not as daunting as it might sound and adds considerably to your shop problem solving arsenal

no problem, I didn't want to get accused of taking a position on something i know I didn't mean to take

My little overstatement surely brought out the opinions. but intended only to foster engaging discussion.... :) In a way, its silly to speculate about what the newbie can and can't handle. We just have our views and the odd anecdotal experience....not like we can conduct tests or survey all the new...

Drop the knee about two inches, then chase it with the quill, and then see if you are still within .0001" you guys that have taken the notion of using a tenths indicator as meaning one expects to work to tenths are offside imo. I don't see where anyone claimed or expected RT work or the mill k...

in most uses, the test indicator isn't being used to measure a distance, its for comparing, like setting up the rotary table, aligning a vice, tramming the mill, get work set in the 4 jaw etc. you can use them for measuring, for example on a surface plate with a precision square you can figure out h...

Dude, athough you may mostly read them in the bathroom, its "Bedside Readers"... Those are some good books, loaded with handy info. Devoured those years ago. lol. they are good, the described technique is fast and easy and pretty accurate. when you need super accurate, indicate it. I've g...

lots of hazards. common concerns; stay away from beryllium, have proper dust extraction and i suppose respirator for grinding carbide, cadmium in silver solder isn't nice, and don't let those magnesium chips pile up! its the woodworking guys who are at a real risk, especially the ones thinking they'...

Too fast for the aluminum or process it may be, but the tool bit just does not care. not so - you are going way to fast and probably need to sharpen the tool - assuming you're not going so fast or set up so precarious something is going to fly out, it is only the tool bit that cares! when you cut, ...

All coolants, and cutting fluids have an MSDS data sheet, stating their composition, and how they are to be used, and safety hazards for users. you're right, but i sometimes question their practical value....in today's cover your ass world its like they're written to protect the author rather than ...

Seriously, although no one has mentioned it, I am thinking that a rotary table mounted vertically with a four jaw chuck and a tailstock would allow me to lower an end mill to a square thing and make it round. it'll get it round, but not cylindrical. when you grind the bottom of an endmill you put a...