The Home Machinist!

Hi fellas i am a beginner machinist and have been reading here for a few months before i decided to register!

i figured id wait a while until i acquired a few machines before i showed up with a first post. I have yet to go to any schooling for this work. not trying to float my own boat but I very much have an "engineering" head. - and while some stuff isnt easy i find that this mechanical down to earth type of hands on work comes very naturally to me and thats probably why i like it so much!

I am starting out small in 1 side of my parents 2 car garage. I have installed new lighting and brought in a pile of tools. - now its MY shop hehe.

Let me apologize in advance for the very large pics - not sure how else to attach them except from my facebook page.

I started out with really the first build that really peaked my interest in this trade. I wanted a camera crane so i built one.

my first version - and the first thing i had ever built.


my custom suspension car mount and remote pan/tilt head (not totally complete)


The above project was completed with a table saw and a drill press. - really nothing else. - i think there is something like 150 bolts holding that crane together

So that was really where it all began. - one day i fried the table saw. I really needed a replacement and i figured a horizontal and vertical bandsaw would be an excellent replacement.

so my first large purchase
click here

then came the milling machine - just a small one as i cant fit anything much larger at the moment. I got a bit of basic tooling with it as well as a machinist vise
its a r8 spindle 3/4hp 50-2500rpm machine.


then a small belt sander to help with cleanup work
click here

the mill is a very versatile piece of equipment!
click here

opening some space up! - look at that horrible mess on the bench, its a work in progress
click here

then i bought a spoolmate 200 to use on my buddies miller 250 welder. - i do mostly aluminum work and its very useful. The picture is me using it in my buddies shop
click here

One of the first proper pieces i turned out with my mill!
click here

mill being put to good use! - somewhere in here i bought a 5 gallon air compressor as well to help with the cleaning of parts.
click here

time for a vise upgrade!


And finally my most recent purchase is this 9in Southbend Model A lathe! - ive only turned a couple parts on it so far but wow is it fun to use.
click here

Im going to be picking up a quick change tool post for it soon, today i got a bison live center and yesterday at a machinist shop sale i got a couple dial indicators and a large lathe tool set. Oh and a 3ton arbor press.

I have an insatiable desire to aquire more tools as im sure most of you guys do as well. It just never ends!

so thats me! i would love to hear what you guys think of my setup and if u want to offer tooling advise its very much appreciated. Im currently working on my 3rd revision of my camera crane.

Welcome aboard.

http://www.picresize.com/ will resize photos conveniently, or PhotoBucket will allow you to store them online for free.

Welcome Jeremy,

From the fit and finish of your work so far you are a natural. And yes, the desire to acquire more and more equipment never ceases.

Jack.

I'd say you are a natural. Where are you? looks like the States but you never know and it's nice to place someone on the globe somewhere. You will never have enough tools until you go to a large tool sale and can say "got one of those" to everything you see Just done that. Welcome aboard. Peter

_________________
Difficult done right away, impossible takes time.

Im in Langley B.C. Canada

Oh oh. Another one of those evil Canuks trying to sneak in again.

We aint so evil.

Jeremy add your location to your profile. It makes it easier for people to offer advice. Langley is North of Bellingham WA. Looks the same but everything cost more.

I knew you were Canadian (Busy Bee stuff ) and likely from B.C., when I saw the Magnum bandsaw (KMS brand and they are only here in the west).

Pete

(Muskoka is in Ontario, Canada)

I've been to that place, but it leaves me with a big question. How do you get tools to a place that is only accessible by canoe. I just can't imagine balancing a Bridgeport midship in my canoe.

Tom

We fly them in by blackfly.