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Old 08-11-2013, 01:03 PM   #1
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Metalworking

I've noticed a couple of forum members have mentioned they have metalworking tools - Lathe, Mill, etc.

How many of us are there?

What do you have?

What do you use it for?

I have a well equipped shop in the barn:

13x40 Lathe, collet closer, 3J, 4J
Sherline miniature lathe
Lagun Mill (like a Bridgeport only 25% bigger)
Miller wire feed welder
Grinder, Tool Grinder
Beadblast cabinet
Right angle head, rotary table for mill
Lots of tooling for lathe and mill
Welding table
Surface plate and inspection tooling

Most of this I acquired when my company merged two model shops and sold off the surplus. Rest accumulated over time. As usual the tooling cost more than the lathe or mill.

And most of it gets used rarely. How sad.......

I was out using the mill today making a shim for the pumphouse door, but that is another story.

First thing I ever made with the mill was an adapter to fit a Mopar 4spd into my 72 El Camino. I was really happy to get the automatic out of there.

And many custom parts live on the SMB.

Mike

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Old 08-11-2013, 01:28 PM   #2
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Re: Metalworking

MillerMatic 350P.
Great mig welder.
But I am the worst welder out there.
So, now I want to learn how to weld aluminum.
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Old 08-11-2013, 01:45 PM   #3
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Re: Metalworking

DeWalt drill
Dremel tool (recently fried )
flat file
round file
Premier Power Welder not yet installed in the Bronco

I'm rather challenged in the tools I have available
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Old 08-11-2013, 02:04 PM   #4
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Re: Metalworking

Ray
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Old 08-11-2013, 05:19 PM   #5
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Re: Metalworking

Quote:
Originally Posted by E350
MillerMatic 350P.
Great mig welder.
But I am the worst welder out there.
No you aren't.

Most people just say I'm a tool.
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Old 08-11-2013, 07:25 PM   #6
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Re: Metalworking

Dang; nice shop. Also got a Miller and added a spool gun to try some so-so aluminum. Not as nice as TIG but faster, I hope.
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Old 08-11-2013, 08:05 PM   #7
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Re: Metalworking

Please let us know how the spool gun works out for aluminum. My Miller came with the U rollers for aluminum, but not with the gun. The 350P is designed for a push-pull gun but will accept a spool gun. I need real world input from real people who aren't too much more adept than me (you may be way more adept than me btw). Since I lack talent, I can't learn from people with talent. It seems I learn best by trial and error or others who post their learning experience by trial and error. All I know is I have welded some what I think is cool stuff for the interior which is heavier than sh*t in steel and would be much lighter and just as strong in aluminum.
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Old 08-12-2013, 10:36 AM   #8
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Re: Metalworking

E350:
The key to welding aluminum is to get it clean first. Brush it with a stainless steel wire brush. A regular wire brush will just contaminate the material.

Using Varsol when cutting or drilling aluminum makes quick work out of it.
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Old 08-12-2013, 10:42 AM   #9
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Re: Metalworking

I've got a Makita grinder and thin cut wheels are my favorite. A small vise, anvil, hammers, propane torch, and various punches and drifts complete my toobox.

I let the experts do any welding.
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Old 08-12-2013, 10:58 AM   #10
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Re: Metalworking

Aluminum with my 211is far from ideal. I've used more high powered aluminum wire feeders and they were awesome, but not for home use. I find aluminum hard cuz it's hard to see, and it soaks heat like crazy. BTW forgot to mention I also have an oxy acetylene cutting rig.

And speaking of aluminum, anyone got a good way to grind it?
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