The Home Machinist!

At work we are having a difficult time getting steel. You have to wait weeks for some of the things we use.

Richard W.

Unless you have a power draw bar for an R8 you often have to tap the draw bolt to release the collet.

So I got my tool post in today and it looks pretty decent..... One question I have is that there are 2 wedges on the tool post however you can only use one attachment at a time. Is this normal? Kind of defeats the purpose I would think! Actually they do make a 12 position turret that will take 4 dr...

How about this one? Seller is a hobbiest, and original owner, and says it's never been beat on. Google suggests this model is still sold, for more than double what this guy is asking. It's supposed to come with the all the original parts, including the stand. Screenshot_20221028_063411.png I have s...

If you look at an off the shelf solid carbide boring bar, you will see that there is a silver soldered steel end on it. The pocket is then cut to accept the insert once it's put on. The idea being that if the bond holds up to machining the pocket, then it will hold up to cutting on the machine. Not ...

My opinion. The problem with calipers isn't restricted to digital. How they are applied is part of the problem of less than acceptable measurements, plus their fragile construction, of necessity, lends itself to the problem of reliable readings. There's just too many ways that improper................

I had my metal put in my neck to hold my head on. I don't think they got it put on straight though.

Actually, the Jet 12X36 lathe is really a decent lathe for its size. I wouldn't be afraid of it. But condition is everything. I often see these rusted up from neglect and not having been used enough to be worn out. A lot of model engines are made with these lathes. Usually they have a 1 9/16 spindle...

On that little lathe it very well maybe they use a drill style chuck on the head stock. I know Atlas lathes could be had with a drill style chuck setup to mount on the HS spindle threads ! Anyway where there is a will there IS a way! Yes, it could be mounted on the spindle. I had a South Bend 10&qu...

I finally found me a Nice 13"x 30" LeBlond Regal lathe. Nice find. I have been looking at a LeBlond Regal with a servo shift. Its 15 X 50. It has an electrical problem and won't engage in speeds over 500RPM. Also I need to build a shop to put the machines in. I already have a Model 16 Pra...

I find that hydraulic oil sold by BiMart works good. Although Northern Tool which sells hydraulic pumps and cylinders say to use automatic transmission fluid. If you don't need much, then you can buy it by the quart.

Richard W.

I have seen washers stamped and wired onto the bottles.