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Any machinists on here?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2021 2:35 pm
by Andy.I
Hi Everybody,

Are there any lathe users one here?

Keef had a lathe and a vertical mill but he hasn't answered my PM - does anybody know if he's okay? Edit: panic over, I've reached him and he's okay! :thup:

I learnt to use machine tools at college and was forever in the machine shops making and modifying motorcycle parts but I digress! I'm looking for a small-ish lathe - something like an 8" x 16" to perform general turning and both imperial and metric screw-cutting. There are a number of Chinese machines on the market and no end of Youtube videos on how to blue-print them from new to make them usable machines and I'm torn between going this route or alternately finding a second-hand Myford ML4/7/10 or some other classic English model - I'm currently considering a Zyto 7" x 16" model but I think is overpriced and spare parts will be difficult to find.

Does anybody have any advice, recommendations, comments please?

Re: Any machinists on here?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2021 5:40 pm
by Sidebyside
Flintsy uses a sewing machine regularly :shock: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

Re: Any machinists on here?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2021 7:05 pm
by flintlok
I have my grandmother's tredle sewing machine which I can run a bit to sew a seam. I did work with talented tool and die makers who fabricated machinery and stamping machine or power press dies. I had those fellows do some of my gunsmithing and machine work. I left that position and now I have only limited access to such equipment. I never bothered to get a lathe or small milling machine. I'd probably make something that would be illegal. I do miss the tool room days though.
I am picking up a vintage Mossberg Brownie 22 pistol today. It's a four barrel 22 long rifle Derringer type pistol with a rotary firing pin. It does feature some cool machine work.

Re: Any machinists on here?

PostPosted: Mon Aug 23, 2021 12:19 pm
by Andy.I
Nothing wrong with using a sewing machine. I made seat covers for my Ducati and Moto-Guzzi in the past. :thup: