Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobbyist

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whisperfan
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Location: Virginia, USA

Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobbyist

Post by whisperfan »

I thought it would be nice to share some of the tips and tricks I have discovered, or stolen over the years.

If you have an Tips, Hints, or Ideas you want to share, please feel free to post them.

First one - This is a 2-part tip. If all you can afford is a cheap set of drill bits, that's cool! As you find you need a new one, buy a better quality one! Also, While it is always helpful to have a tap/die chart handy, why not just use a sharpie and write on the drill index some of the ones you use most often?

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Last edited by whisperfan on Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:35 am, edited 2 times in total.
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whisperfan
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by whisperfan »

This is a multi tip too

1. A dry erase board is great to have in the shop to jot down measurements or ideas

Get one that is magnetic and you can use a magnet to hang a piece of paper, blueprint or drawing.

Speaking of magnets ...
Neodymium magnets are pretty useful little things.

I use three 3/4" by 1/8" to put the chuck keys right where I need them. One on the Mill, one on the Tail stock, and another on the drill press.
Just keep them far away from where chips accumulate ... or chips will accumulate! :wink:

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Last edited by whisperfan on Mon Dec 26, 2011 9:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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whisperfan
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by whisperfan »

Label stuff!

Take an afternoon and label stuff! You will be happy you did!

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whisperfan
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by whisperfan »

Those little copper straps that plumbers use make a great way to store a drill chuck, a live center or an 8" file.

Look at the lathe - I store a chip brush and a 4mm allen wrench (for my tool holders) right there on the front. Just drill and tap a little hole for a 'L' shaped hook.
Then mount a spot for a file to debur and edge.

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whisperfan
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by whisperfan »

Do some wood working.

I made a wooden rack to keep my tool holders organized! I'm not sorry I did.

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Ike
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by Ike »

I had the local HVAC shop bend up this metal backsplash for my lathe.
Not only does it keep oil and swarf off the wall behind my lathe,
but I use a sharpy on it to jot down measurements and a couple of magnets
to hold paper drawings and notes where they're handy to look at when I'm
using the lathe.
The sharpy wipes off with a shot of carb cleaner or a dab of acetone or laquer thinner and a rag,
when I'm done.
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Backsplash.jpg
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refinery mike
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by refinery mike »

As much as i love those new Neodidium magnets, I hate them too! any time my tools get stuck to one of them they get magnetized and start picking up bits of steel everywhere. The answer to unwanted magnetism is an AC electromagnet. You can snag them off of untold appliances before you toss them out. Solenoids, starters, hair clippers, fish tank bubblers, relays, anything that has an 120 volt ac coil in it. (DC will magnetize) Attach the coil to an old cord and plug it in. then pass the magnetized tool next to or through the coil. No more magnetism.
Caution, do not let these coils on for too long they may well overheat.
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magnetized tools.jpg
coil demagnetizes.jpg
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SteveHGraham
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by SteveHGraham »

I like the tool holder rack. Mine tend to sit in the pan under giant piles of chips.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
SteveM
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by SteveM »

Go down to your local auto parts store and get some of those self-stick sunglass holders that you stick to the dashboard.

Put them on or near each machine and put a pair of safety glasses in each one.

That way you can never use the excuse "the safety glasses are all the way across the room". Also handy when there's a guest in the shop.

Steve
Qwas
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by Qwas »

Need some soft jaws for a quick polish or sanding job? How about heat shrink tubing from an electrical supply place. Works for pliers too. If you heat (and shrink) slowly, you can make them re-useable.
Attachments
4 inch 3 Jaw chuck with soft jaws in place.
4 inch 3 Jaw chuck with soft jaws in place.
Ike
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by Ike »

I recently pulled the QC gearbox off of my lathe to r&r the bushings and a couple shafts in it.
I soon got tired of feeding the carrage by the hand wheel on the apron and the inconsistant finish that resulted,
so I started looking for a better way.
Low and behold, the crank handle for my tailstock slipped right on to the headstock end of my leadscrew,
key and all!
Using the hand crank on the end of my leadscrew and it's gear reduction in the apron to drive the carrage
I was able to get a much more consistant feed rate and finish for the parts I had to turn to get the gearbox
repaired and get my power feed back.
JimGlass
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Re: Tips, Hints, Shared Ideas for the new Machinist or Hobby

Post by JimGlass »

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Storage rake that is moveable. I used bi-pass closet door hardware to make this.
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Stored possition
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Jim
Tool & Die Maker/Electrician, Retired 2007

So much to learn and so little time.

www.outbackmachineshop.com
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