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  • Several Regions have held meetups already, but others are being planned or are evaluating the interest. The Ontario GTA West area meetup is planned for Saturday April 26th at Greasemonkeys shop in Aylmer Ontario. If you are interested and haven’t signed up yet, click here! Arbutus has also explored interest in a Fraser Valley meetup but it seems members either missed his thread or had other plans. Let him know if you are interested in a meetup later in the year by posting here! Slowpoke is trying to pull together an Ottawa area meetup later this summer. No date has been selected yet, so let him know if you are interested here! We are not aware of any other meetups being planned this year. If you are interested in doing something in your area, let everyone know and make it happen! Meetups are a great way to make new machining friends and get hands on help in your area. Don’t be shy, sign up and come, or plan your own meetup!

Hello from Saskatoon!

Lanis3333

New Member
Hi Everyone !

I am so very happy I have found this forum. I've been doing some lurking and felt its time for a little introduction.

Back when I was a young impressionable 16 year old, I met a gunsmith that made rifles for full bore target shooting. I would hang out at his shop for hours watching him work on his LeBlonde lathe turning down rifle barrels and cutting chambers. This was my first introduction to precision and I learned a lot in those few years. Fast forward a few more years and I have a degree in Engineering, and was working at an Ag-Equipment manufacturing facility with every tool imaginable. My career then took a left turn and I ended up in the broadcasting industry, which I still do (and absolutely love) today. However, my desire to own my own tooling never left.

Back when Covid was a new thing, I was working in the UK and had to come home in fear of being stuck in London. Work dried up completely and found myself with a lot of time on my hands. Time to build my dream garage!!!! My father and I spend 2 months building a perfect 26'x28' (the biggest I could fit on my property) garage with 2x6 walls, R-60 insulation in the 10' ceiling and 100 amp service. Now, time to start filling it with tools!!!!

A few years back, I bought a RF-30 drill mill but it really sucked as the only place I could put it was a really hot mezzanine at a friends shop. It was really uncomfortable to work there, so It didn't get much use (also no DRO, crap vice, and limited tooling, no power feed). I also had a crap Princess Auto 7x14" lathe that was pretty much useless except for cutting aluminum or brass.

Now that the 2 motorcycle projects are out of my garage, and the walls are finished, it's time to spend some money!!! I had some $$$$ earmarked for a new, big boy lathe. After a lot of sober and non-sober contemplation over what to buy, I finally ordered a Grizzly 0824 (14"x40"). I found this forum looking for advice on how to level said lathe with it arrives.

BAD NEWS:Grizzly 0824 was enroute to Sweetgrass, MT today to my shipping drop point. Very exciting until I see the photos that the shipping agent sent of the damaged lathe. It looks like it tipped over and smashed its way out of the crate. The shipment was refused, and the damaged lathe is on its way back to Grizzly. :(

In the mean time, I am going to bring the RF-30 to the garage. I have some exciting projects for it that I'd like to share with the forum. First project is installing my Touch DRO (Tablet based DRO from Yuriy's Toys), and next is installing a Precision Matthews power feed.

I am probably going to ask a lot of stupid questions on this forum. I apologize in advance for that! As one of my profs said "There are no stupid questions, just stupid people !" I don't have a single day of formal education in machining. My teachers have been You-tubers This Old Tony, Quinn, and James from Clough42 (and a bit from Abomb...)

First stupid question:Where do you buy tool steel that doesn't cost an arm and a leg in Canada ??? I have some things I'd like to build but the material costs are out of control !!!! Maybe tool steel just costs that much ??!?!!

Anyone from the Greater Metropolitan Saskatoon area willing to come help level a new lathe when it arrives? Much beer and steak will be supplied in exchange for using your machinist level and your knowledge. Any advice on what leveling feet to buy? Are the KBC tools rubber vibration isolation feet worth the $$$ ?

I am looking forward to the knowledge I can gain from you grizzled veterans on this forum. I have a list of projects 10' long, but my technical ability has to catch up to my imagination.

Lanny
 
Welcome to the forum, there's a few of us with RF style mills, myself included. Happy to share knowledge!
 
Welcome from Vancouver! And I’m sure that if you’ve been lurking here you’ll know just how much we‘ll all assist you in spending your money on machinery & tools…
 
Welcome from Vancouver! And I’m sure that if you’ve been lurking here you’ll know just how much we‘ll all assist you in spending your money on machinery & tools…
Thanks for all who help me spend some $$$ !!!!! I just ordered a D1-5 5C collet chuck for a lathe I don't have yet.... Also, I think I REALLY NEED a ER40 D1-5 collet chuck. I already have all the ER40 collets in Mertic and inch. Do I need both??? I think I do...
 
First stupid question:Where do you buy tool steel that doesn't cost an arm and a leg in Canada ??? I have some things I'd like to build but the material costs are out of control !!!! Maybe tool steel just costs that much ??!?!!
Tool steel can be a bit spendy. Curious what your making...
 
Another Vancouver Island welcome.
Has Grizzly shipped a new machine for you? Grizzly website shows the 0824 as being back ordered, maybe they'll upgrade your order.
 
Welcome aboard from Saskatchewan, enjoy your time spent on the forum.
 
Last edited:
Hi Everyone !

I am so very happy I have found this forum. I've been doing some lurking and felt its time for a little introduction.

Back when I was a young impressionable 16 year old, I met a gunsmith that made rifles for full bore target shooting. I would hang out at his shop for hours watching him work on his LeBlonde lathe turning down rifle barrels and cutting chambers. This was my first introduction to precision and I learned a lot in those few years. Fast forward a few more years and I have a degree in Engineering, and was working at an Ag-Equipment manufacturing facility with every tool imaginable. My career then took a left turn and I ended up in the broadcasting industry, which I still do (and absolutely love) today. However, my desire to own my own tooling never left.

Back when Covid was a new thing, I was working in the UK and had to come home in fear of being stuck in London. Work dried up completely and found myself with a lot of time on my hands. Time to build my dream garage!!!! My father and I spend 2 months building a perfect 26'x28' (the biggest I could fit on my property) garage with 2x6 walls, R-60 insulation in the 10' ceiling and 100 amp service. Now, time to start filling it with tools!!!!

A few years back, I bought a RF-30 drill mill but it really sucked as the only place I could put it was a really hot mezzanine at a friends shop. It was really uncomfortable to work there, so It didn't get much use (also no DRO, crap vice, and limited tooling, no power feed). I also had a crap Princess Auto 7x14" lathe that was pretty much useless except for cutting aluminum or brass.

Now that the 2 motorcycle projects are out of my garage, and the walls are finished, it's time to spend some money!!! I had some $$$$ earmarked for a new, big boy lathe. After a lot of sober and non-sober contemplation over what to buy, I finally ordered a Grizzly 0824 (14"x40"). I found this forum looking for advice on how to level said lathe with it arrives.

BAD NEWS:Grizzly 0824 was enroute to Sweetgrass, MT today to my shipping drop point. Very exciting until I see the photos that the shipping agent sent of the damaged lathe. It looks like it tipped over and smashed its way out of the crate. The shipment was refused, and the damaged lathe is on its way back to Grizzly. :(

In the mean time, I am going to bring the RF-30 to the garage. I have some exciting projects for it that I'd like to share with the forum. First project is installing my Touch DRO (Tablet based DRO from Yuriy's Toys), and next is installing a Precision Matthews power feed.

I am probably going to ask a lot of stupid questions on this forum. I apologize in advance for that! As one of my profs said "There are no stupid questions, just stupid people !" I don't have a single day of formal education in machining. My teachers have been You-tubers This Old Tony, Quinn, and James from Clough42 (and a bit from Abomb...)

First stupid question:Where do you buy tool steel that doesn't cost an arm and a leg in Canada ??? I have some things I'd like to build but the material costs are out of control !!!! Maybe tool steel just costs that much ??!?!!

Anyone from the Greater Metropolitan Saskatoon area willing to come help level a new lathe when it arrives? Much beer and steak will be supplied in exchange for using your machinist level and your knowledge. Any advice on what leveling feet to buy? Are the KBC tools rubber vibration isolation feet worth the $$$ ?

I am looking forward to the knowledge I can gain from you grizzled veterans on this forum. I have a list of projects 10' long, but my technical ability has to catch up to my imagination.

Lanny
Welcome from Saskatchewan
 
Tool steel can be a bit spendy. Curious what your making...
Like many Machinist apprentices, making a few basic tools is a really good education on what to do and what not to do. I'd like to start with a surface gauge with a bumper. I believe This Old Tony made a really useful one. Next up would be a proper sine bar. I am not so good with angles yet !!!! I also need a really fine knurler, this would be a chance to try to heat treat something (never done that before!!!)
Another Vancouver Island welcome.
Has Grizzly shipped a new machine for you? Grizzly website shows the 0824 as being back ordered, maybe they'll upgrade your order.
Funny you mention that. When I placed the order about a month ago, expected delivery was October 28, 2022. No biggie, all good things come to those who wait. Then, a few days later, I get an email saying my order was ready to ship. I called customer service shocked that there was one in stock, he confirmed that there was one in their Seattle warehouse, and it would be on its way. I wondered if I was getting a lathe that was damaged. With my very limited experience with proper lathes, I sure it would be months of always turning tapers before I would notice that the bed is not true. In this case, I am glad the damage is obvious, and can make a clear case for refusing delivery. I looked yesterday and noticed that the new stock date is Aug 16, not Oct 28. The boat from asia must have found second gear !
 
Thanks for all who help me spend some $$$ !!!!! I just ordered a D1-5 5C collet chuck for a lathe I don't have yet.... Also, I think I REALLY NEED a ER40 D1-5 collet chuck. I already have all the ER40 collets in Mertic and inch. Do I need both??? I think I do...

First of all, welcome here from a Saskatchewan born farm boy. Unfortunately, I am now virtually family caged in Ontario farming south of Chatham. Love to go home to the Prairies, but love my wife, kids, grandkids, and one great grandkid even more.

I have virtually the same lathe. My 5C chuck practically lives on my lathe - prolly a factor of 10x more than any one of my 5 other chucks. You won't regret that.

I don't think you will find an ER40 collet chuck very useful on the lathe. It won't do hardly anything a 5C won't do.

On the other hand, an ER40 or preferably a 33 is perfect for your mill.

The simplest way to express this is to point out that lathe chucks usually spin parts with tools held in a tool holder. Mills are the other way around. The 5C is optimized to hold parts, and the ERs are optimized to hold tools. Ya, the reverse is quite frequently done, but that kinda sets the stage for what you really need and why.

I'd stick with the 5C for your lathe for now and save your coin for the things you find you need later on. If you buy stuff like an ER40 chuck and collets now before you know you need it, it will prolly gather a lot of dust and take up a lot of useful space doing nothing.

My own sense is that er32 is more popular for the mill and especially so for your RF30 and smaller.
 
First of all, welcome here from a Saskatchewan born farm boy. Unfortunately, I am now virtually family caged in Ontario farming south of Chatham. Love to go home to the Prairies, but love my wife, kids, grandkids, and one great grandkid even more.

I have virtually the same lathe. My 5C chuck practically lives on my lathe - prolly a factor of 10x more than any one of my 5 other chucks. You won't regret that.

I don't think you will find an ER40 collet chuck very useful on the lathe. It won't do hardly anything a 5C won't do.

On the other hand, an ER40 or preferably a 33 is perfect for your mill.

The simplest way to express this is to point out that lathe chucks usually spin parts with tools held in a tool holder. Mills are the other way around. The 5C is optimized to hold parts, and the ERs are optimized to hold tools. Ya, the reverse is quite frequently done, but that kinda sets the stage for what you really need and why.

I'd stick with the 5C for your lathe for now and save your coin for the things you find you need later on. If you buy stuff like an ER40 chuck and collets now before you know you need it, it will prolly gather a lot of dust and take up a lot of useful space doing nothing.

My own sense is that er32 is more popular for the mill and especially so for your RF30 and smaller.
Sage advice. I'll move that money over to get a bigger surface plate!

Speaking of collets, is the 100 piece set (in increments of 1/64th) necessary for the work you do? Are the hex and square 5C useful?
 
Like many Machinist apprentices, making a few basic tools is a really good education on what to do and what not to do.

Many of us here spend a huge chunk of our time making tools for our tools...... It's not just for beginners. You are gunna end up doing a lot of that no matter where your machining future leads you.

I understand your interest in tool steel. But my advice is to never let perfection get in the way of the good. Most tools don't really need tool steel. You can make amazing things with mystery steel. As you have already realized, tool steel is expensive. I don't buy tool steel unless it is absolutely totally necessary.

Those YouTube characters you mentioned don't have normal budgets. You don't really need to use what they use.

FWIW, Sine Bars can be found on Kijiji and marketplace a lot easier than making them. Making them isn't that hard......... until it comes time to make the gauge blocks.........
 
Sage advice. I'll move that money over to get a bigger surface plate!

Speaking of collets, is the 100 piece set (in increments of 1/64th) necessary for the work you do? Are the hex and square 5C useful?


I have a select few 64ths, but I think 32nds is adequate. I often use a home made pop can shim to deal with loose fits. It's never failed me. Again, 100 collets takes up a huge amount of valuable space. 30 collets is manageable.

Yes, a FEW hex collets is nice to have - especially 1/4. Square collets are also awesome. Just buy them individually as you find you need them.
 
Are the hex and square 5C useful?

Sounds like you have money to burn......

If I had to start over buying stuff like that, I'd get the biggest rotary table my mill could handle. I'm guessing 8" for an RF30. (Lots of RF30 users on here could give you better advice on size - gotta, watch out you don't lose too much headroom) I'd also get a 5C Spin Indexer with a tailstock and maybe two hex and two square 5C collet blocks.

For your lathe, I'd focus on the tool post. I don't know what your lathe comes with these days. It may or may not be a good one. If it is a good one, you will need LOTS of tool holders. If it isn't a good one, get a good one!

You should also read some of the posts on here about buying tools. Don't get trapped into buying one of those fancy sets. Since you are starting, I cannot over emphasize the need to learn how to grind and use HSS tools. A good grinder is a big plus. Not necessarily a tool grinder - just a good grinder.

BTW, a great first project in my mind is a height standard for your lathe. WAY BETTER than using rulers, cutting a tiny tip, or using a center in the tailstock. You don't need tool steel for that little project...... LOL
 
Welcome from Victoria!
Sorry to hear about the shipping grief - that's a nice lathe!
I've found huge variance in the "retail" price of steels. Convenience is very expensive. So if I go to Metal Supermarkets I frequently see 3x the price than I see at Hardcore Metals few blocks away. But HC seem happy to handle my small volume, let me pick their shorts pile, and will cut/punch/weld at a fair price. You want to find that similar place near you!
 
Welcome from Victoria!
Sorry to hear about the shipping grief - that's a nice lathe!
I've found huge variance in the "retail" price of steels. Convenience is very expensive. So if I go to Metal Supermarkets I frequently see 3x the price than I see at Hardcore Metals few blocks away. But HC seem happy to handle my small volume, let me pick their shorts pile, and will cut/punch/weld at a fair price. You want to find that similar place near you!
Thanks for the positive words about Hardcore. I've not been but have been meaning to go. It's the place that looks like an auto recycle yard right?
 
Sounds like you have money to burn......

If I had to start over buying stuff like that, I'd get the biggest rotary table my mill could handle. I'm guessing 8" for an RF30. (Lots of RF30 users on here could give you better advice on size - gotta, watch out you don't lose too much headroom) I'd also get a 5C Spin Indexer with a tailstock and maybe two hex and two square 5C collet blocks.

For your lathe, I'd focus on the tool post. I don't know what your lathe comes with these days. It may or may not be a good one. If it is a good one, you will need LOTS of tool holders. If it isn't a good one, get a good one!

You should also read some of the posts on here about buying tools. Don't get trapped into buying one of those fancy sets. Since you are starting, I cannot over emphasize the need to learn how to grind and use HSS tools. A good grinder is a big plus. Not necessarily a tool grinder - just a good grinder.

BTW, a great first project in my mind is a height standard for your lathe. WAY BETTER than using rulers, cutting a tiny tip, or using a center in the tailstock. You don't need tool steel for that little project...... LOL
Hahahaa !!! Money to burn !!! I wish :) I am still taking applications for the position of Sugar Momma if you know any extremely rich ladies !!!! Maybe then I can actually support this addiction... errr hobby I mean !!!
 
Thanks for the positive words about Hardcore. I've not been but have been meaning to go. It's the place that looks like an auto recycle yard right?
It's next door to a scrapyard, and looks like part of the same business, but isn't. Always a bunch of rough trucks in the driveway getting various welding work done. Wear boots, bring gloves, know you'll get messy.
Last week I went looking for 3x7' of 3" schedule 40 steel pipe (mouting poles for my new solar installation). MSM wanted $780 for it. HC set me up, including punching holes in some 1/4" flange plates, *and welding them on* for just over $500. Oh, with same day service. I'm really happy to give them my business.
 
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