I missed the staff meeting but the minutes show
wrote back on 23 Jan 2005 10:38:43 -0800 in
rec.crafts.metalworking :
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.

Welcome to the club.

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?

Yes. What kind of tolerances do you need, want and can hold to?

If I know I eventually may want CNC capability, what is
the best mill to buy for the money?

One that works with you. E.g. At the school, I had used a Fadal, but
when I had to get some parts made for class after an interruption in my
studies, I went with the Taki which had real switches, symbols on the panel
to tell you what each did, and like that. I liked that machine. Weirder
than snakes with suspenders, but I understood it.



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.?

One time production, short runs or cranking out the part day in and day
out? (It sounds like you intend to make "one" or two for a job/project.)


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.

What you are asking is similar to "what do I need to know to make
bicycles."

Combination tools do all things, but not all things well. With a three
in one machine, if you have something set up to mill, and discover you need
to turn a fixture, you have to tear down the set up, retool, make part and
then retool again. (And 9 times out of 10, you will discover this after
you have spent a standard "too long" getting the first set up correct.)

My advice is to find someone to talk to, with a machine to point to as
you/they explain things. This is one place to check with a local tech
school or community college, if there is a program near you.

cheers

pyotr





--
pyotr filipivich.
as an explaination for the decline in the US's tech edge, James
Niccol wrote "It used to be that the USA was pretty good at
producing stuff teenaged boys could lose a finger or two playing with."