Show off your Machines.

[blue60]

I though I would start a thread where everyone can post their Mills, Lathes, Laser cutters, Workbenches or Workspaces.

I will start off with my mill & little workspace

[GWiens2001]

I'll get some pics of my laser machines and drill press with the milling vise.

Gordon

[Black85vette]

Here is the desktop mill I use. It has a few mods; gear drive replaced with belt drive, spring counterweight replaced with pressurized cylinder, back pillar beefed up and stiffened, 3 axis digital readouts, motor driven X axis with speed control.

[blue60]

I love that homemade power feed, I will have to get off my ass and make one.
I have the same DRO's, I only have one axis installed at the moment, But I am lazy and never got around to installing the others as I have not needed them yet.

[mh]

I think that DROs were the most useful tool that I added to my mill.
I got glass measuring rods from China, plus one box that displays both X and Y (and has neat features like a manual circle calculator). (The Z axis had a small battery powered readout already built-in.)

Only problem was that the box with its 7-segment LED displays started to slowly break - all the segments began to light up, the contrast became indistinguishable over time. I tried to find out why and repair it, but to no avail. Replaced the box with a more modern one with a larger backlighted color LCD screen, and now I’m happy with my DROs again

[Black85vette]

I think that DROs were the most useful tool that I added to my mill.

Agree 100%. One major thing I like is being able to switch between Inches and millimeters with a button. I work on projects with both. That is also why I like my digital calipers.

[Black85vette]

Here is my 12x36 Craftsman made by Atlas. Has a gearbox for thread cutting and a quick change tool post. I have a 4 jaw chuck and a 3.5 inch 3 jaw for smaller items.

[blue60]

Nice lathe, I want something like that when I have more room.
For the time being this is my Lathe (with a 1100 padlock for scale)


I have not had it for long, Planned upgrades include a new motor with a speed controller.

[Black85vette]

@blue60; I like the Unimat. Just saw one pop up on Facebook Market place for about $450 in a box / case. Is it worth that much?

[blue60]

@blue60; I like the Unimat. Just saw one pop up on Facebook Market place for about $450 in a box / case. Is it worth that much?

I find they go from anywhere from $200 - $1000 Depending on the accessories included. There is a collectors market for them so that drives up the price. For a tiny portable lathe that is powered by a sewing machine motor I am happy with it. the only thing I didnt get with mine is a Compound Slide.

[00247]

Over the years I always wanted a lathe and milling machine but had an uncle with a lathe and had access to an excellent machinists who could do side jobs at work. The machinist retired and as I got into safes I always needed an odd bolt or something. I picked up this Shoptask Eldorado Bridgemill off of Craigslist all the way down in Texas. Hardly used, very reasonable price, and set up with DRO and CNC. When it arrived I was surprised to see a ton of tooling in the crate that he never said much about. The tooling was worth half the machine price.



While combo machines do have some compromises, It has been able to do all that I have needed and I am quite pleased with it. While I am not a machinists, I did have lathe training in metals class back in high school, one of the few things where I paid attention. lol Youtube videos and forums come to the rescue when I'm not sure what to do. I have managed to make some pretty good stuff, such as:

A new bolt for the one missing on the expanding inner door frame in the Martin C. Briggs safe. Odd shaped head, odd sized slot, and Whitworth threads. An original and the new one.



New eyelet covers for the always missing ones on Yale time locks.





And repaired banged up bolts on a National safe lug door. The bolts were striped, tig welded, head face turned and flats milled, and finally polished, ready for the plating shop.







The lathe/mill combo has become an invaluable asset in the shop for all kinds of projects.

[Black85vette]

@00247; Looks like a good machine to me. Combos are good and mostly just limited in the size of your work piece, but as you pointed out it does what you need. Good looking work. Making replica vintage pieces is awesome.

Also; I appreciate the Corvette emblem on it.

[GWiens2001]

00247 - your work is awesome. Seems that even with whatever trade-offs you have by getting a dual machine, it is certainly doing what you need.

What kind of wiring/power requirements does that machine require?

Gordon

[Black85vette]

Just noticed that it looks like you have a custom profile on your cutting tool to make the buttons. Grinding a cutting tool is an old school art that is becoming lost. With CNC, carbide tips and indexable tools I don't think that is even taught now.

[00247]

I appreciate the Corvette emblem on it.

Somebody has a sharp eye. I had a yellow C5 Corvette and the previous owner stuck an extra emblem on it. The yellow was very close to the machine so that's where it went. I also often put an Easter egg (something odd or different) or two in my photos to see if anyone notices or makes a comment.

You are correct with modern technology, basic skills are being lost. The best CNC operator has learned on manual machines. When there is a problem he is better equipped to correct it. Of coarse, on many jobs the operator just changes parts and pushes buttons. Someone else does the programing. Our local tech school still starts machinists on manual machines. For me making one off parts, it is faster to do it manually than fight the computer. I had to up my sharpening skills and got a tool grinder. Now I can sharpen carbide but prefer to use good old fashioned HSS tool steel. But then I got a whole bunch of it from my uncle who got it from an old time tool and die maker who worked many decades for the Navy.

Gordan, it has two 1 HP motors and runs on 110 volts. Nothing special needed. The newer machines have DC variable speed drives which are really nice.









G