Drilling brass (and some amazing videos)

Re: Drilling brass (and some amazing videos)

mikeee12345

Excellent Videos!

A lot of good tips for anyone working metal parts.

Great website

Clifton C

John, I'm trying not to buy a small metal lathe...You're making it awfully difficult

Great info and incredible website...

Re: Drilling brass (and some amazing videos)

john lucas

Way cool. I obviously have a very long way to go in my machining skills. I guess I'm more of a carpenter in terms of machining than a fine furniture worker. Plus or minus .020" is close enough isn't it.

A long way to go

John K Jordan

>>>Way cool. I obviously have a very long way to go in my machining skills. I guess I'm more of a carpenter in terms of machining than a fine furniture worker.

If you are a carpenter, I must be more of a logger with a chain saw. After watching up through videos #14 and #15 I'm in shock, nearly speechless.

JKJ

It even gets better

John K Jordan

In video #19 he machines brass wood screws. He shows using standard carbide router bits made for wood to machine curved profiles in brass. Makes sense.

Even does a little wood working on the milling machine to make a base from Australian burl and has a separate video on french polishing. All finishes are flawless, brass, steel, wood.

JKJ

Re: It even gets better

Clifton C

I know I shouldn't ask this, but, I have a friend who has been thinking of buying a small metal lathe... any thoughts on books to read to help me, I mean him, get started?

cc

Re: It even gets better

john lucas

This might help. I started with one of the chinese mini's.

http://www.mini-lathe.com/

This guy is great to talk to.

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/

Re: It even gets better

John K Jordan

Help on which to buy, or on learning the machining?

For where to buy I asked around a lot and researched the best I could before deciding on these (about three years ago):

4841 HiTorque 8.5x20 Bench Lathe with Tooling Pkg

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4841

4288 HiTorque Mini Mill, Solid Column with Tooling Pkg

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4288

The Little Machine Shop guys are wonderful to work with. The HiTorque machines they offer are, I understand, made by the people who sell cheaper versions at Harbor Freight and elsewhere but they claim they are built to higher specs. I can believe it after looking at these, comparing with others, and talking to some people. One friend bought a cheaper version of the lathe and he said it was fine, eventually. Be he had to disassemble and clean up almost every part (with files and hones) before he was satisfied in the smoothness and precision.

Note that the cost of the machine is just a start. A rotary table, power feed, measuring instruments, granite surface plate, and a bunch of tooling later I probably have twice the cost of the machines invested! But wow, the fun!

For books on machining I'd have to check my little library for titles. There are also a great series of videos (hundreds) on YouTube by TubalCain, also MrPete222 covering everything. He's a retired teacher from when they actually taught machining in high schools.

JKJ

Re: It even gets better

David Walser

I've bought several items from LittleMachineShop -- all for use with my wood lathe. I've often thought he would do well to market more to woodturners. There are several items that he carries that are of use for turners. My drill chuck and my Morse Taper collets are only two examples.

Re: It even gets better

mikeee12345

Machinery's Handbook is a good resource to have if you want to start machining metal.

There are plenty of editions that are available on the used market, they all have the same

basic tables and references needed for lathe and mill work. A brand new edition is expensive

but an older edition can be picked up on Ebay or other such secondary markets for a lot less.

Some of the older lathes were built rock solid and have some weight to them compared to some

of the newer import lathes on the market. The older machines are easy to work on and parts are

still available for many of them. You can find package deals with a lot of tooling on CraigsList if

you take your time and search the listings each day and wait for a good deal. A brand new lathe

will sometimes require purchasing new accessories that are made for that model. If you can find

an estate sale you can also deal on a package price for the machine and all of the tooling for one price.

Re: It even gets better

mikeee12345

Joe Pieczynski is another YouTuber that has a lot of great video's on metal machining.

Dale at Metal Tips and Tricks has many great video's on YouTube.

Mrpete222 (Tubalcain) has a lot of knowledge to share on everything dealing with metal working.

Each one of these gentlemen have been machining for decades and have loads of knowledge to share.

MrPete222 has a lot of videos on rebuilding the old machines and old school tooling.