Recent content by d.brown

My tastes are simpler than most, a 56' Chevy sedan delivery with an old surfboard sticking out the back.....preferably midnight blue. :)

Not sure what that means or know what a cast iron welding platen is but cast iron is a mixture of metals so it's hard to generalize about it's hardness. Add to that the air pockets that develop during the manufacturing process you have a somewhat softer material that tends to crack when struck...

It's rarely a good idea to use something for other than it's intended purpose. The answer is, cast iron is noticeably softer than even mild steel & castings by nature don't lend itself to impact work.....have a tendency to crack. A good example would be the used vises we all run across that have...

Do you know why that is a reality?

Ok apologies for mis-attributing the quote then. If a tape measure will suffice, then a surface plate will be of no real value to the op. A fabricating surface it isn't.

Typically a surface plate is used in a machine shop setting. One of many uses would be with a height gage to scribe parts. That operation requires an angle plate which also needs to be flat & at 90 degrees. I have a cast iron (which your is) surface plate (smaller than yours at 16"X22") in the...

A surface plate isn't very useful unless it's flat & it will need to be flattened from time to time. Invest in a lapping plate (12"X12" would be a good size) & lapping compound. You make a slurry paste & move the lap over the plate in a circular motion until the color is even not staying in one...

Here are the drawers I built for my work bench (didn't build the bench...it's 100 years old). Cheap & easy to do & if you're in the SoCal area I would be glad to help you. David

Thanks & yes the vise is bolted to the t-block & held in place with the tail vise. The t-block is stout, made of maple with dado & through bolted.It's good for general use but has it's limitations.

There's an adjustment on the vari-speed handle that will allow it to lock more securely/compensate for wear. Once I figured that out, no more speed drift. The good thing is, we both have the LOO spindle.

Looks like we made the same choice in lathes only mines the short bed version

Thanks. It's been the center of my shop for a long time.

I'd like to say I built this bench but it was a yard sale find. It got crammed in the back of my wife's 77 Toyota Celica (more hanging out than in). I've had it for at least 30 yrs. but did build the drawer units. BTW, the vise screws are wood so it's an old one.

Consider yourself disagreed with on all points except the global economy bit & for that one, I choose to substitute my own reality. :) My shop consists of 13 older U.S. machines (12 by one maker) & I wouldn't have it any other way. That being said, it's a commitment to go that route. It takes...

Given your constraints, I would be looking for a used Emco Maier (Austrian) lathe mill combo. The quality is excellent & they are out there. My first lathe was their Compact 10 with a gear head attached mill. They're no longer made but not too hard to find.