Recent content by Culture

Big tools storage can present problems. I decided to have a little fun with my 60" pipe wrench and use some space that was otherwise wasted. I do not use it too often so it is not a problem to store it up high.

My latest project is a 1959 Caterpillar D8 tractor. It has not run in seven years, but was allegedly 100% functional when parked. It is definitely is in well used and rough shape. 15L diesel starts with a 2cyl gasoline pony engine. It came with a Deer camp we just purchased. Going this weekend...

Thanks. I has been a long journey and a lot of fun.

Thanks. After a NINE MONTH wait (thanks to COVID), I have a PM1440GT lathe on the truck headed here. I can't wait to get my hands on it. I will build a base to raise it up about 6-9 inches to operate it and make it easier to move around with a pallet jack. My wife got a new house; I got a shop...

I constructed a metal storage rack to store materials up to 12' long. The rack is constructed of 1.25 x 1.25 x 3/16 angle. The rack has worked out very well as it has allowed me to purchase and organize a stockpile of common materials (bar, angles and HSS). Much less running to Steel Supply...

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I completed one fun project recently, a drift trike. This simulates the excitement of driving on ice. Lots of fun driving around the oval track that comprises my small neighborhood's only road. Just like Tokyo Drift but for reals. MIG welded out of 16 ga 1-1/4" square HSS. I can't say I am proud...

I installed at least two supply port in every room, plus hose reels in the two primary work locations. All copper lines with drop leg water traps and bleed valves at multiple locations. I did the soldering with a acetylene torch, which worked very well. I did not end up with a single bad joint...

Recently added a central air supply to the shop using a free "dead" air compressor from my son's place of work. The repair consisted of replacing the pressure control switch. I also upgraded by adding a quarter turn valve at the bottom for the water drain. I find I drain the water a lot more...

So far so good. My only complaint is that the maximum spindle speed is to slow to take advantage of smaller carbide end mills (<1/2" or so) in mild steel but I knew that going in, and this is true for all Bridgeport type mills (as far as I know).

I did not fasten the cradle to the floor slab. I decided the cradle widened the stance enough that this was not necessary. I have not had any vibration problems so far, and doubt I ever will. I leveled the cradle using stacked 4x4 squares of EDPM roofing membrane. This has made a great vibration...

How did I get the mill on the cradle? This was a great excuse to purchase a gantry crane. I found one clearanced at Zoro, used a 20% off coupon, and got free delivery. There is no way they made money on this sale. It is a 3 ton crane, 10 foot span and 14 foot adjustable beam height. I have found...

I have not updated in a long time (3 years!) and have expanded my shop significantly. I purchased a Precision Mathews 10x49 Mill. I always had two concerns with a vertical mill; 1) the table on any home ship sized mill is way too low for my 6'8" height, and 2) how would I move the thing around...

I build everything out of wood because I can source the materials easier, fab it faster, and paint it easier. Given my homeowner level of usage, I have not doubt it will outlast me.

I also built a cart for my chop saw. It is getting a little to heavy to pull off the shelf and lug to the workbench. I plan to build folding wings at some point, probably as soon as I try to cut something more than 2-3' long.