The Home Machinist!

And your not going to a get a single belt position to do both high/low rpms with just the VFD. It can do some but not all. And yes, motor heat is going to be a problem with slower running at probably below 40-50 hz for even fairly short lengths of time. Lower rpm usually means larger diameter and hi...

It's also not a direct apples - apples comparison either. There's fairly involved intricacies in design throughout the whole machine. Yes there both lathes and both cut metal. At the simple end and with everything else being equal, a heavier machine is going to be more accurate, produce better surfa...

My apology's for seeming to insult your father Earl. Amazing, $365.00 for a bare 12" x 36". Now they go $800 - way over that for used. And $40 for the milling attachment, those are running $350+ all the time on Ebay. Average South Bend prices are even higher. One of the machine shop owners...

Your too short arbor is I think the first time I can recall seeing it mentioned Bill. Afaik there's pretty rigid industry standards for any machine tool taper and shank length. You didn't say or maybe you even remember where you bought that short one. If it's off shore then a non standard length mig...

Wow, that's quite the wear path from previous owners being too cheap to just change out those wipers Earl. Yeah, that infamous Zamak, a built in albatross for sure. Obviously Atlas never contemplated there machines being still sought after 40-60 years later. And I very much doubt the materials long ...

I'll try and add to what others have already said and what cost me a fair amount to learn the hard way. For researching almost any better known brand name used lathes made in the 20th century this is always my first go to. http://www.lathes.co.uk/Scroll down a bit to get to the alphabetical list. Th...

I don't know for sure about the cheaper one's Ron, but some of the brand name (expensive) systems mentioned in that PM link I posted just might use some fancy pants flow technology to reduce that excess air misting. If you find yours doesn't do so, maybe ordering a replacement tip they use would be ...

I'm certainly no expert, but I've read a major component of WD-40 is in fact kerosene just like John said. Apparently it goes through some type of chemical process to remove what they call aromatics that gives kerosene it's distinctive smell and additions are then made to make WD smell like it does....

That's a complex and time consuming set up to do, well done.

No question about the soft jaws. And Harry knows this better than I do, model engineering is sometimes hugely different than most job shop type work. Even more so for any that just don't have a mill for whatever reason. I agree about the only one chuck make it a four jaw part. But I'd also want that...

That last picture definitely shows why having a universal mill with at least one axis capable of being turned to match the cutting angle is so useful. I'm suitably envious Ramsay and that looks like it's coming out well. That wouldn't be a K&T replacement gear to drive the head being made?

That would be tough to go from a much bigger mill to something smaller and less user friendly. I moved up from a Seig X2 sized mill to a 3/4 sized Bridgeport clone. Much easier to use in every way. That split collar design I've seen somewhere in the past may or may not have been for your exact mill ...