wrote:
I am just getting into metalworking, primarily with the aim of learning
small-scale machining and steel brazing. I would eventually like to be
able to fabricate small bicycle parts, such as shift levers and the
like. After reading through the "Home Machinist Handbook" I am still
just slightly confused about what pieces of equipment and hand tools I
will need.
I assume at minimum I am going to need a lathe and a mill, but am a bit
baffled by the variety of these, particularly in terms of price for the
micro/desktop units (from around $350 all the way up to $5000). The
sort of questions I have a is it reasonable to buy a combo
lathe/mill unit, or is it better to have dedicated equipment? Is the
low-end stuff (Harbor Freight) decent enough to get going or is it a
waste of money? If I know I eventually may want CNC capability, what is
the best mill to buy for the money?
Also, what other types of fabrication equipment are generally found to
be indispensible for making things like, say, specialty washers,
pulleys, ratchet gears/catches, etc.?
A broad (perhaps stupid) question, I know, but I am just not finding a
complete answer in my books or other sources, so thought I just go
ahead and seek advice from those who know, since I really do not want
to waste money on tools or capability I simply don't need. Any input
appreciated.


If you appreciate good quality, craftsmanship and precision you will be
dissappointed in the low-end machine tools, especially the combo
lathe/mills.
You might want to get into aluminum sand casting, and get the Dave
Gingery book series on building your own machine tools from scratch.
You can build what you need to the precision you desire, and fabricate
dedicated equipment to do specific jobs if you are going into any kind
of production.
If you have more cash than time, but not a lot, look at the Jet bench
lathe--9" x 20". The thing I like about them is the large, flat, milling
table-like cross-slide because of it's versatility.
I have the Emco Maier Compact 8 lathe which the Jet is patterned after
and can easily bolt the column of a Sherline milling machine or just the
headstock to the crosslide. With an indexing setup for the lathe's
spindle, this is a cool configuration and might be all you need for
bicycle parts.

Ken Grunke


--
take da "ma" offa dot com fer eemayl


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