The Home Machinist!

First, thanks for all the kind words! While I really am proud of the fact that this turned out the way I intended, without modifying the goal along the way, it's nice to think that maybe I did something good in somebody else's eyes, as well. Interesting, Dave, that the one element missing is whether...

Dad picked up a Craftsman, which looks just like the small Atlas saw photos I see online. It's a little different than a modern day 4x6. As I recall, it's a laydown saw only, so you can't stand it up and cut vertically. I don't know how important that is to you, but it is a feature that is often ver...

I'd rather have my little 4x6 bandsaw than none at all. I don't know where I'd put a bigger one anyway. But yes, they do break blades faster. I have gotten away from bi-metal blades for that reason. They didn't seem to last as long as the carbon or hard-back blades. Seems like at least the cheaper b...

On the machining side, that's about what I have, but I have 2 lathes. I probably do as much fab work as machining, and a little bit of metalshaping as well. I completely understand the desire to do it all. I know that it isn't always possible, but like you said, one works within the limits of the to...

... So you will need adjustable Voltage and Current regulator's. Transformer alittle oversize. Full Wave Rectification. A some what overbuilt filter circuitry, oversize on the electrolytic capacitor's, and as many as you can design in, minimum two chokes sized properly. Go up two sizes with your fe...

Spent yesterday afternoon making a new tool. I've thought that a QCTP would be nice for the little Craftsman 109, but didn't want to spring for the LMS version. It's more than I want to spend on this machine, and it's a piston type tool post. Having given it some thought, I really think the wedge ty...

Very simple indeed. Though, I doubt those are easier to make than simple dovetail holders.

Dave

Wow, that puts my making an aluminum holder for my indicator to shame. Nice work. Really nice work. I would hate to try to get the vees to line up right and then tapping all of those holes! And you say it only took about an hour to tap them? Very cool!

Dave

For those of us not ordering machinery, that is one of the better promotions they run. I try to save up a shopping list for when that one or similar comes around. In fact, I'm trying to find my list now, but all I can remember is I need set screws.

Dave

Well, I filed down the burrs at the edges and where the threads come out in the middle. My 5/8" tools fit great. Now, as others have noted, the consistency is terrible with these holders. It's hard to say for sure, since I only filed enough to get the tools to fit, but it seems like some of the...

Got my holders from CDCO today. Not packaged well, but there doesn't appear to any real damage from it. Each holder arrived in its own ziploc bag, but that's all that kept them safe. Well, I say they arrived in a plastic bag. Each had its own plastic bag, but most of the bags were pretty well shredd...

I just checked at Enco and they apparently don't have M9 setscrews. Didn't make it to the hardware store at lunch, so I'll have to look into it later.

Dave