Imagineering Block!!

[Contract_Pilot]

Well, I have played with this a few times mostly used for fixing things or making a simple tools and fixtures. Now, Before I got it I had lots of ideas of what I could make if I only had a milling machine! Now that I have one it seems every thing I want to make required a lathe also. Or cannot think of anything usefull writers block for machining. Any ideas on cool tools / fixtures to make?

 

[bullnerd]

Have you seen any of the machining mags? Home shop machinist, etc.. they have projects maybe youd be interested in.

 

[Guster]

Machine tools complement each other. Once you have a mill and a lathe you need a welder and perhaps a surface grinder and lots of tooling. A press, bandsaws and plasma cutters start coming in handy. DRO's and CNC suddenly seem more feasible and before you know it a bigger work space is required. What is wrong with getting a lathe I ask you?

Also remember that with a micrometer boring head and rotary table you can actually get by doing some internal and external concentric work that you would need a lathe for. In fact they may be the only way to do some concentric features that are to large or difficult to fit on a lathe.

I got mine initially to service and build machinery, tools, paintball markers and R&D parts for the performance sailing community. Now I also make the odd RC parts and any general fabrication. I already had TIG/MIG/ARC welding, composite construction and general fabrication capability and the mills, lathes and other bits just extended it.

 

[jeff g]

Have you seen any of the machining mags? Home shop machinist, etc.. they have projects maybe youd be interested in.

Hi
I like the Hobby Machinist
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/forum.php?tabid=11

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174553

 

[Contract_Pilot]

Thanks, And my Milling machine has a DRO very handy.. Lathe I dont have the spare cash!

 

[waggie]

if you haven't already: http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/hstpages.html

a piece of advice, get out now. while you can.

Like you, I got a similar size milling machine. Then I realized I needed a full sized machine... so i got one.

Then I needed a lathe, this time, I'm smarter... I went straight for a "full size" lathe.

then I needed tooling... lots of tooling.

oh yeah, this is all after going through oxy/ace, tig, mig, tubing bender, tube notcher...4x6 bandsaw, Carolina full size saw, then finally got a ellis 1800. Now i realize I need a 8' shear.

then I realized i needed a bigger building

 

[Contract_Pilot]

Yea, So far my milling machine has been good size but good starting point and I have limited space to work in so have to deal with the space I have. I do love to Barter Check out my Want To Trade Post...