Updating the Mill!

smokindawg

Well, as some of you know I have a small machine shop in my garage. I have a Jet 9x20 metal lathe and a Grizzly G8689 mini mill.

I of course also have other things that I use for my projects, many of which work great when it comes to building carts.

The Grizzly mill is a decent little mill but has some slack in the movements. I picked up a owner made DRO that had never been installed on Ebay and that made a world of difference. It can also be used as a precision drill press as well.

These small mills do have a few drawbacks, the biggest being the plastic gears inside. I've been nursing it for a while with the low speed gear not working and the high speed making noise. Recently I purchased the belt conversion kit for the mill. These mills also have a torsion spring which holds the weight of the head. It can and does allow head drop, or the head to be pulled into the work when milling. So I also ordered what is called an air spring kit.

I took the mill apart yesterday as I knew the parts would arrive for it. I got it all apart, the gears removed and all the parts cleaned up when the Brown Truck arrived. I installed all the new parts and re-assembled the machine. It is much quieter and has gained a bit of rpm's. I think I'm going to like it even more now. I still have to put the scales for the DRO back on it but I'm back in action and the mill is a fun tool to have in the shop.

Just thought I'd share!

Anyone else have their own little machine shop? If so, what kind of setup do you have?

When I'm working on something and could use a tool to do/make something I just tend too pick it up or make it and my shop/garage has grown because of it. Drives the wife nuts sometimes but sure makes playing in the garage a lot of fun. I did also add air conditioning and heat to that area of my shop as well. LOL

BGW

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smokindawg

Here are pictures of the mill and the lathes I use.

You can see the belt drive I added recently and the DRO in the upper right hand.



Here is my lathe I presently use:



Here is my welder and plasma cutter I made a cart to carry. Handy to have them both on the cart.



And the extra lathe I purchased from my buddy when he needed some cash. Still not sure what I'm going to do with it. Been setting in the corner for a year now. It has a nice heavy stand it's bolted too.

pleighdammet

as a machinist for 20 years I have to say "[B]NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHUCK KEY IN THE LATHE CHUCKS!!!"[B] easy to end up with a broken jaw from something as simple as not removing the chuck key. nice little shop to have in your garage tho

smokindawg

I hear you about the chuck key pleighdammet. It's only in that lathe because that one is in a corner and not even hooked up. Keeps me from loosing it. I have gotten into the habit of removing the key from the chuck on the lathe that I do have operational. Not sure why it was in it in the picture though....... Hmmmmm guess not as much a habit as I thought. LOL

Swan

you don't mind if I stop by and wipe up a few things lol, 25+ years machine/sheet metal trade. its hard to walk away from when you retire. the hardest part is buying something that you could have made for a tenth of the cost.

Nice shop you got going !

smokindawg

Swan, I hear ya on wiping up. I have so many irons in the fire most times that I don't know if I'm coming or going. So not the best when it comes to cleaning up right away.

The big lathe though came the way it is. Bought from a friend needed the $$$. I sure didn't need the lathe.

It's nice to be able to make a few things when needed and I also do a little on the side for extra money to help pay for my upgrades and for cart parts as well.

Swan

nice to see it all being used. I got to say I miss having a mill at my disposal the most . there has been more then a few times I said to myself ...If I only had a mill

smokindawg

Swan, that's why I bought one.

I make a set of jaws that fit on a wood chuck to hold square blocks. The mill and home made DRO have made this job so much easier and faster so I pay for the mods to my shop by selling these jaws.

I do enjoy making stuff and that's why the small machine shop. Wife doesn't always understand, but she really doesn't have too....... LOL

Swan

I did have a nice little set up at my house a few years back . south bend 3 jaw lathe , lg air comp , homemade sand blaster , drill press , mig and tig welders, belt sander and bench grinders. then I sold the house and went full time rv-ing . now im very limited to what I can do but I was still able to make my roof drop hinges on a picnic table.

smokindawg

Swan, I do enjoy making things and being able to do so. I went a long time with all my stuff in storage and couldn't stand it. Now I have a place of my own out in the woods. 13 acres of woods and lots of room to ride carts and such as well as a nice big garage and out buildings to store my projects.

So I'm happy........ although I do like traveling too.