Houston we have a problem

[rickairmedic]

Neat stuff Rick

I've never seen lights like those before. They look like alien cocoons Can you tell me about them?

Hey girl I had only heard of them and seen pictures myself . They were made by Levitron for Sears and the cacoon looking part is actualy a plastic heat shield . I will get some more pics today with the heat shields removed . I was rather amazed to find them especially with the plastic safety covers still on them and in great shape. I still need to clean them up some as all of the stuff I picked up yesterday came out of a gentlemans wood shop who had passed away so everything was covered with wood dust. A good portion of the tools in the shop were late 50's early 60's although he did have some newer stuff as well. There are more pictures in Red LEaders thread of tools I didnt get yesterday as I didnt need them although looking back I may go back and get them for ebay .


Rick

 

[Red Leader]

Hey girl I had only heard of them and seen pictures myself . They were made by Levitron for Sears and the cacoon looking part is actualy a plastic heat shield . I will get some more pics today with the heat shields removed . I was rather amazed to find them especially with the plastic safety covers still on them and in great shape. I still need to clean them up some as all of the stuff I picked up yesterday came out of a gentlemans wood shop who had passed away so everything was covered with wood dust. A good portion of the tools in the shop were late 50's early 60's although he did have some newer stuff as well. There are more pictures in Red LEaders thread of tools I didnt get yesterday as I didnt need them although looking back I may go back and get them for ebay .


Rick

The lights were a cool find for sure. Rick have you perused some of the old catalogs?

Check this out here:

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3

I could spend hours looking at all the cool stuff in some of these old catalogs. I'd totally like to find probably like 90% of all the stuff in those old 1950s general line ones haha.

 

[rickairmedic]

Dave you are not helping I have just scratched the surface over at OWWM. I didnt even know they had old coppies of old catalogs.


Rick

 

[Red Leader]

Rick,

You might also be interested in the fact that the website 'searchtempest.com' allows you to search any and every craigslist nationwide.

Also of interest is the nation-wide network of guys over on OWWM willing to hold/transport tools from other states.

The catalogs are just there just so you can get a little more detailed in the search field


I know, your wife won't like me

 

[rickairmedic]

Dave I use the statewide craigslist and search KEntucky and Indiana . I dont mind driving 4 hours to go get something but seeing something sweet out in Cali would just drive me nuts .

Rick

 

[Wingnut65]

Nice score Rick.

But it sounds like Red Leader is dragging you in. Resistance is futile!

 

[rickairmedic]

LOL Jeff I have always liked older " american " things. I still have Dave beat since I have 2 early 60's Ford unibody trucks and at least one older american piece of metal working equipment . Dont worry though before its over I will drag Dave over to the darkside of metal fabrication .


Rick

 

[Wingnut65]

Sounds fair. Go for it!

 

[T mac]

nice transformation nice work

 

[rickairmedic]

T mac wait for the big show . We havent even gotten to the loft yet and its skeery " the shelves are melted " and leaning in odd directions.


Rick

 

[Red Leader]

Dont worry though before its over I will drag Dave over to the darkside of metal fabrication .


Rick

I'm putty in your hands

 

[rickairmedic]

Here ya go Dave a little project I have been working on . Ya cant do this with wood tools .


Mini Brass LED flashlights .


Rick

 

[Wingnut65]

Wow! Those look nice. If it were't for the starting block you included, I'd say you were pulling our leg.

It is really amazing what talents we find here on the Journal.

Well Done.

Be careful posting something like that, you may just get a few orders and you wind up mass producing and not working on the garage, although it would help increase the budget... (let me know if you have paypal)

 

[rickairmedic]

Jeff I actually found a tutorial online on making these ( I was looking for little projects to make with my recently aquired toy lathe ). I read the tutorial several times and watched the videos and started collecting materials . The LED's and Watch batteries came from Hong Kong in 100 packs the rest was sourced locally . I picked up a 4' stick of 1/2" brass hex rod from a local supplier ( which was the most expensive part of the project ) and just started making them this weekend . The main thing I have found from using my little 1940's craftsman lathe is I now want a bigger old American made lathe now .Oh yeah and a benchtop mill .


Rick

 

[Red Leader]

Here ya go Dave a little project I have been working on . Ya cant do this with wood tools .


Mini Brass LED flashlights .


Rick

Cool!!!

I think if I started with metalworking, I'd want to get a welder and maybe a smaller but robust lathe. I don't have a lot of shop space, so it would have to be small. I know Craftsman/Atlas made some cool lathes, but I'd also be interested in knowing if Southbend or some other companies made some small but good lathes.

Of course, I'd also need a drill press dedicated to metalwork. But I'm thinking of putting my Atlas 53 in that role and picking up a Cman drill press like you did

(Actually, my garage is hosting a OWWM get together this Saturday and a guy is planning on bringing a Craftsman drill press...hmmm!!!!)

I'm so hopeless

 

[Wingnut65]

Darn it Guys! I didn't want a metal lathe and now you are making me have second thoughts. My dad had a small one that is still sitting in my mom's garage in South Florida. I have no idea what brand it is, but I think we picked it up at Oshkosh in the late '80's .

Now, thanks to you two... As I work my way around to the workbench, I may just have to leave space for it. I'm sure I can find some project that would justify it.

 

[Red Leader]

Darn it Guys! I didn't want a metal lathe and now you are making me have second thoughts. My dad had a small one that is still sitting in my mom's garage in South Florida. I have no idea what brand it is, but I think we picked it up at Oshkosh in the late '80's .

Now, thanks to you two... As I work my way around to the workbench, I may jsut have to leave space for it. I'm sure I can find some project that would justify it.

Heh...Mr 3-car garage, talkin' like you've got no room!

That 3rd bay way was practically made for you to put a lathe in.

Am I helping?

 

[tinbender 66]

Metal rules!! Nice work Rick.

 

[rickairmedic]

Dave Southbend made a 9" swing Lathe that is considered one of the best out there and they can be found fairly easily out there . I will eventualy have a 9" or larger Southbend . The little Craftsman 6" although fun to play with is not considered to be a precision machine due to it size and other small issues . The Atlas/Craftsman 618 is somewhat better while still being a " small lathe " it is a 6" across the bed with 18" between centers and has many features that the smaller 109 model AA/Craftsman doesnt have . There is also the 10"-12" Atlas which was also available from Craftsman in the 12" size . Most of the true lathe guys are not fond of the AA/Atlas/Craftsman type lathes and will tell you to just pony up and get a southbend .


Jeff you have plenty of room in there for a " small lathe " get down to Miami and get that sucker to its new home .

The plus to a metal lathe is it can be used to turn wood as well while a wood lathe cant honestly be used to turn metal .

I have a small OLD wood lathe sitting ontop of my cabinets I need to take down to get a pic of for Dave that will be heading for craigslist as I honestly dont use it .


I will add if I had a 3rd bay in my garage I would be hunting for a 13-14" southbend with at least 40" betewwn centers as it is sopmething with a 9-12" swing and 36" between centers is about as much as I will be able to squeeze in here and that will still have to have a dedicated spot .


Rick

 

[rickairmedic]

Jeff once you have a metal lathe you will find little projects for it and will also approach other projects with a differant outlook . Hey I could make ( whatever ) with the lathe for that .

Rick

 

[Wingnut65]

You guys are Brutal ! I am still trying to figure out how to get 15 pounds in my 15 pound sack and you guys are adding more pounds! Metal working is nothing new to me, at least aluminum work. I spent many hours working on aluminum repairs on my '49 Navion and my dad's '56 C172. I still plan to build a plane some day...

But you guys did spark a reminder in my lack-of-memory that I actually do have a small lathe. Granted it is not the quality of what you guys are used to using, but I may just have to break this baby out and give it a try... This was also my dad's and I believe it dates back to the 1950's. (Dave??) It is a Unimat-SL, Model No DB 200. The label on the box says 'Made in Austria'. BUt I'm sure you guys know more about it than I do.

And, Yes, When I am back in Miami with an emtpy car (for a non-family trip), I will pack up the metal lathe. And I thought I was going to be creative getting my miter saw to fit in my workbench and be removable. The lathe is 3x that size, so my workbench will really be something to plan.


AND NOW... Back to your regularly scheduled thread... (sorry for the hi-jack)

 

[rickairmedic]

Jeff Hijacks are perfectly acceptable in here . That little unimat actually looks like a decent little lathe . I even noticed you have quite a few accesories for it . The item mounted on the cros slide currently looks to be some kind of milling attatchment which can be handy on a lathe and allow you to do some minor milling operations on a lathe . I am waiting " semi patiently " for your next trip to Miami if the other lathe is 3X the size of your miter saw it is a decent sized lathe .


Theres quite a bit on evilbay for that unimat as well .


Rick

 

[mdbeck1]

You guys are Brutal ! I am still trying to figure out how to get 15 pounds in my 15 pound sack and you guys are adding more pounds! Metal working is nothing new to me, at least aluminum work. I spent many hours working on aluminum repairs on my '49 Navion and my dad's '56 C172. I still plan to build a plane some day...

But you guys did spark a reminder in my lack-of-memory that I actually do have a small lathe. Granted it is not the quality of what you guys are used to using, but I may just have to break this baby out and give it a try... This was also my dad's and I believe it dates back to the 1950's. (Dave??) It is a Unimat-SL, Model No DB 200. The label on the box says 'Made in Austria'. BUt I'm sure you guys know more about it than I do.

....

Since I may have been one of the "brutal" ones....

Less than five minutes on Yahoo yielded this: http://unimat.homestead.com/

 

[Red Leader]

Hmm...wow! Never seen a tiny little lathe like that. Since we've talked about how some 6" lathes are not really built to do anything heavy, what does a lathe that size do? Can you make bolts on it?

 

[rickairmedic]

Hmm...wow! Never seen a tiny little lathe like that. Since we've talked about how some 6" lathes are not really built to do anything heavy, what does a lathe that size do? Can you make bolts on it?

Sure you can just little ones .

Rick

 

[Wingnut65]

I knew if I posted pix of my Mini-Lathe, I would be learn a lot more about the Unimat. Thanks to mdbeck1, I now have a resource. Honestly, this is stored on the bottom shelf of my band saw and I had to dust it off to take the shots. I have never Googled it or even thought of looking for manuals or more accessories. I know I have a couple chucks and odds and ends.

The small lathe in Miami may be 36-40" wide. But there are all the toys that go with it that need a home as well in my shop.

And this is all because of a couple home made brass flashlights... Thanks Rick, et al...

 

[Falcon67]

That lathe is a cool tool in a box. Love the stuff you are finding!

 

[rickairmedic]

I knew if I posted pix of my Mini-Lathe, I would be learn a lot more about the Unimat. Thanks to mdbeck1, I now have a resource. Honestly, this is stored on the bottom shelf of my band saw and I had to dust it off to take the shots. I have never Googled it or even thought of looking for manuals or more accessories. I know I have a couple chucks and odds and ends.

The small lathe in Miami may be 36-40" wide. But there are all the toys that go with it that need a home as well in my shop.

And this is all because of a couple home made brass flashlights... Thanks Rick, et al...

No problem at all Jeff . Look at it this was with a 36-40" bed metal lathe you can turn wood as well si its like having 2 more fancy tools in the shop for the "space price : of one . I would bet that big one has the milling attatchment with it as well so theres 3 tools in a small space .


Rick

 

[shopnut]

There is also the 10"-12" Atlas which was also available from Craftsman in the 12" size . Most of the true lathe guys are not fond of the AA/Atlas/Craftsman type lathes and will tell you to just pony up and get a southbend .

I will second that comment. I have one of the early 12" Atlas models and I'm sure if I wasn't just an occasional user, I would probably be wanting more. It does okay for me though. It was my grandfathers, so it would be very tough to let it go, regardless of it's performance. One thing that has made it a bit easier to use is a quick change tool post (QCTP) - makes set-up a snap.

(EDIT - BTW, I can still buy parts for my lathe through Sears. I find that amazing!)

Rick, I have a question for you - I saw the GENEVA logo on the cabinets early in the thread. Do you happen to know if that is the same company making steel garage cabinets today? Here's a link: GENEVA Cabinets

Sorry to hear about the fire, but I'm glad to see you back doing the garage thing!

 

[rickairmedic]

Shopnut I am not sure if they are the same or not but after going to that link and reading the " about us " section . I would have to say they are most likely not the same company since that one was established in 1974 and my cabinets are from the metal kitchen era of the 50's.


Rick

 

[mdbeck1]

I knew if I posted pix of my Mini-Lathe, I would be learn a lot more about the Unimat. Thanks to mdbeck1, I now have a resource. Honestly, this is stored on the bottom shelf of my band saw and I had to dust it off to take the shots. I have never Googled it or even thought of looking for manuals or more accessories. I know I have a couple chucks and odds and ends.

The small lathe in Miami may be 36-40" wide. But there are all the toys that go with it that need a home as well in my shop.

And this is all because of a couple home made brass flashlights... Thanks Rick, et al...

You're welcome.

I'll have to get a couple pics of SWMBFAO's lathe. Her great grandfather (GGF) was a watch maker/repairman. When her grandfather passed (a year or so ago) GGF's workbench, lathe, and most of the watch tools were passed to her. It's on display in the dining room. Have you ever seen a drill bit that's 0.003" in diameter? How about a chuck that holds it? It's fascinating to go through it.

This thing is a time capsule from about 1930.

 

[rickairmedic]

MD post it up . There is actually an old watchmakers lathe on CL here down in E town but I am trying to purge the garage and have already added to it . Oh yeah I have seen drill bits that small but I use them in a pin vise .


Rick

 

[mdbeck1]

MD post it up . There is actually an old watchmakers lathe on CL here down in E town but I am trying to purge the garage and have already added to it . Oh yeah I have seen drill bits that small but I use them in a pin vise .


Rick

I might get a few minutes this evening to take pics. If I do I'll put a couple up. I still haven't figured out what to do with the lathe but the flashlights look interesting...

Of course first I have to clean the lathe up... ...and get permission from SWMBFAO.

 

[Falcon67]

Have you ever seen a drill bit that's 0.003" in diameter? How about a chuck that holds it? It's fascinating to go through it.

This thing is a time capsule from about 1930.

The company I worked for long ago used to use a specialty machine shop outside of Chicago. They got their start making precision parts for movie equipment. Last time I was up there, one of their experts was making biopsy sample tubes/needles for the medical department at UoC. The material was titanium with a diameter like .008~.010 with a .005 hole in the tube. One sneeze and $$$$$$ in parts would disappear. The shop manager said "Our yields are a little low on these things."

 

[Red Leader]

Rick,

Any pictures of your lathe to help make my tool acquisition problems worse?

 

[ibedayank]

Rick
I am sure i could find all those homeless tools in your garage a pro
per place to live in my borrowed "shed"


<<slinks off ashamed of new horrorfreight tools....

 

[rickairmedic]

Rick,

Any pictures of your lathe to help make my tool acquisition problems worse?

Well Dave since ya asked . The current one is just a lowly little 6" Craftsman but it works till I can find just the right Southbend .


Rick

 

[rickairmedic]

Rick
I am sure i could find all those homeless tools in your garage a pro
per place to live in my borrowed "shed"


<<slinks off ashamed of new horrorfreight tools....

Homeless tools in my garage never . Even the Harbor Freight tools serve their purposes .


Rick

 

[ibedayank]

LOL... needed a cailiper wind back tool for use on SWMBO truck... buying snapon was not gonna happen....HELL no but the 39.99 from hf i could do ... local shop wanted over $300
rotors are within spec...no groving YET but not much left to the pads....


so yeah HF got my $$$

 

[rickairmedic]

Well heres a little project for today sofar . I stole this from here on the GJ although I couldnt find where I found it originally. I have files yes lots of files and no room to store them laying flat buuuuut they cant be stacked as its bad for them . Solution take a 5'-6' piece of #12 romex and seperate the wires . Find a piece of 3/4" PVC pipe and wrap the wire around the pipe. Then spread out the rings slightly and now I can store my files standing on edge . I went ahead and made a pliers rack while I was at it the same way and put 2 drawers worth of pliers into one drawer . This gave me 2 drawers for the files .


Rick