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Recent content by francist

  1. francist

    Balls

    Hey, glad to hear you got that project worked out. I think about it every now and again, especially when I find a loose ball rolling around to add to my bearing drawer!
  2. francist

    How much would you pay for a Myford?

    Well, I think I would consider it. And I can say that honestly because there was a gorgeous, new-in-crate one that came up here a few years ago for 6 grand and I did consider that one! Why? I’m not sure really, but when I look at that machine I see a good quality machine capable of nice...
  3. francist

    Help identifying an old lathe?

    Yeah, a good place to start is getting the chuck separated from the spindle which hopefully won’t give you too much trouble. You should then be able to see what might be available for chucks or collet adapters. You can’t really get far without knowing that first. I’m not sure what “MTn” means...
  4. francist

    Help identifying an old lathe?

    Not much to need a manual for, there are no gears of any kind to worry about so it’s pretty much just pulley ratios to calculate. My guess is it’s been converted from flat belt to v-belt for that age of machine so it’s a bit of a hybrid now. Interesting ways — one of each flat and prismatic...
  5. francist

    Sourcing Metal Stock

    I did look through my stock too but what I have is under sized at 0.430” on the inside with half inch on outside diameter. It does have a seam as well, although a very shallow one.
  6. francist

    Victoria - hoping to get a hole bored

    I've made tons of mistakes like that, and I wish it were as simple as 'lesson learned' but I don't know that it is. I think we have a tendency to think we're a little better that we are when really we should be paying as much deliberate attention to things as we did when we were just learning...
  7. francist

    Trlvn's basement shop planning

    I like it better already! As for the milling machine table, my setup is kind of similar in that if I’m not careful I can hook the table on my way to the lathe. All I do is park it with the table fully to opposite side when I’m not using it. Takes but a minute to do and makes all the difference.
  8. francist

    Trlvn's basement shop planning

    I moved a few things… ;) In my shop I have a lot of the infrequently used machines on casters — not the swivel kind but just the straight in-out kind. My press, planer, horizontal bandsaw all just pull out from the wall when I use them and tuck right back in. So I did the same thing with a few...
  9. francist

    Some pictures of possible interest

    The full-size shovel for cleaning out the chip pan is a nice touch.
  10. francist

    Basement machine shop? Pros and Cons...

    @YYCHM Yup, 220gal furnace fuel.
  11. francist

    Basement machine shop? Pros and Cons...

    Thanks Craig, and others, for the kind words. Yes and yes, that is the little Atlas MF horizontal miller just to the left of the green Keller. I don’t have a vertical mill/drill but I do have a drill press which I don’t think is real obvious between the vertical bandsaw and the outside door on...
  12. francist

    Basement machine shop? Pros and Cons...

    I also have my shop in my basement, although in these parts “basements” are typically at grade or a few feet below. So, long flights of stairs into the deep and dark are not a real problem. But, it still means everything has to come and go by man-door only rather than some kind of roll-up garage...
  13. francist

    Knee replacement surgery

    Good to hear, Bill. I’m glad things seem to heading the right way, albeit a bit slower than you’d probably like. Hang in there. -frank
  14. francist

    Bending

    Ordinary propane by itself will be tough on 3/8” material. Making a small “corner” out of a few fire bricks will help greatly to bounce the heat back and you stand a better chance of getting the heat up. Three-eighths is about the limit for a regular hardware store Bernzomatic without MAPP.
  15. francist

    Cool bike lift

    Sure beats the heck out of the ubiquitous CanTire motorcycle jack, doesn’t it.
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