The Home Machinist!

I went and took a look at the mill , I am feeling a lot more confident about it now with the positive opinions . Other then being dusty from sitting it looks just as described ... like new :) When looking at used things I like to look at the surroundings to gauge how a machine or anything else might...

Those questions are all easy to answer . I don't own a vertical mill so yes without a doubt it is better then what I have . Hobby use most definitely, while it's always nice to be able to make a few extra bucks with my machines if the opportunity arises making any actual money would be one of the la...

I'd like some opinions on a shop Fox m1001 mill if anyone has any . It is a 6x26 knee mill with power feed . I have been offered one at a pretty attractive price , it is used But it has been taken care of and is still in great condition . To be quite frank even with its work envelope limitations it ...

Well there's no need for me to worry about the antifreeze ..... New owner plunked down a wad of cash and drove it away this afternoon. Easiest sale I ever had , took it for about a two mile test drive and didn't even negotiate so I guess I either sold it to cheap or clean rust free somewhat low mile...

What am I missing on the hardinge?
Doesn't seem out of line price wise if it's a running working machine .

It's back ... $1300 later with new head gaskets , glow plugs , glow plug relay and wiring harness . And 1 new injector . Can't say I'm shocked at the bill , considering the labor involved and the price of the parts along with having the heads checked and injectors tested I think I got it fixed rathe...

thank you . i do prefer to use cold rolled because it is a little easier to work with .
plus in this case it means i can use some stock i have on hand and not have to make a trip to town to scrounge some material up .

I have a couple small parts to make that I want to case harden with casenit . Is there any reason to pick hot or cold rolled 1018 over the other or will they both be about equal when done . I do understand that the cold rolled is more likely to have internal stress and be more likely to warp but the...

So far in my career as a hobby machinist I haven't had to cut any small diameter tapers like the op . And that brings up a question I have .. for those of us who don't happen to have boring bars on hand small enough to fit in such a small hole , why not just make a reamer? To my thinking a reamer ju...

the truck went into the shop yesterday morning to get fixed . Fingers crossed I get away with head gaskets and glow plugs . Should have a diagnoses late Monday or Tuesday morning Luckily my brother has a shop and is going to float me the labor and parts costs untill I sell the truck One of his mecha...

I can't say I have any complaints with the truck other then the size of it , I did use it for 9 years without a single problem . But I'll also be honest , I never liked it from day one . The noisy engine drove me bonkers . And it is a serious pain in the butt to park anywhere . If it hadn't been che...

I had thought about keeping the truck , but I can't think of any logical reason to . It's big , heavy and expensive to maintain. I wouldn't mind having a regular cab 2wd half ton pickup but even that isn't a real necessity for me . For the three or four times a year I need a truck it isn't much of a...