The Home Machinist!

While it's logical as hell, I hadn't given it much thought until I read Kap's post some time ago. It does remove all doubts--even with the irregular base you appear to have. Let us know how it turns out, Capt. One more thing. You may benefit by filling the column with non-shrink grout, which should ...

Michael, A good choice would be any of the 1" square sticks in either 20 or 24 grit. The coarse grain is used for dressing conventional wheels, with the fine grades reserved for diamond wheels. You will find an acceptable choice in the vitrified dressing sticks S/C portion of the pdf. file. on ...

Here are two photos to show the kind of parts that I have been making routinely with CNC. I create 2D CAD drawings and convert the drawings directly to the tool cutting/profiling path. Points are used to represent drilled holes. Very nice work, Ed. Being woefully lacking in CNC knowledge, I wonder,...

Folks, This thread has gone way too long at 73 posts and the topic has been beat to death several times over. Indeed it has, but it is generating considerable interest, based on the number of views. It's very educational for those that may not have a great deal of machining experience---helping the...

No one, not as far as I have seen, has criticized anyone for using CNC in the home shop--not even me. What I am critical of, and will continue to be so, is the demand that there is no way parts can be made without one. This forum is for everyone-----not just a select few. Therefore, comments render...

Doug, I know you meant well, and although I personally agree with what you've said, this kind of lucid, fair, reasonable, and balanced approach is completely out of place on this board and won't be tolerated in the future. Consider yourself warned. Chuckle! :) :) Thanks, Harry. Harold

I had a light crash last time I used the mill, and that apparently upset the tram just a "fuzz". But it was enough to make it back cut significantly in one direction, but only front cut in the other, and the next pass over (4.5" wide flat tonight) had a distinct step easily felt with...

John, If you are seeing fly cutter cut on the back side, your mill is in good tram. Not necessarily. It is a good sign, yes, but only in the direction of travel. If the mill head leans the slightest amount in the other plane, you can expect a step in the cut, when you move the table or saddle, depe...

An excellent post, John, and a testimony to building with what ever one has at their disposal. We need more encouragement for those that may be working with limited resources-----and someone to show the way.


Harold

Does anyone know of bulk supplier of the replaceable pin punch tips (.039", .060", .091") similar to the sets that Brownells advertises? Looks like some kind of ejector punch that should have some other applications in the trades. Brownells sells replacements punches- but they around...

I must also appreciate Mr Rivera who has lived in a world of precise requirements and thank him for the pics. This touched on the third thing I would say in response to "Harold's world" which was mentioned. This isn't his world. He like many have plowed not land but the understanding of h...

Those of you who may contemplate going cnc, remember the learning curve is steep, and sharp. Not only are you many times learning basic machining practice, but the control as well. I have been brogramming by G and M code since the early eighties starting with a Pratt and Whitney Tape "O" ...