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Tool Time Let's talk shop. Equipment, Tips & Tricks, Safety issues - Post it here.

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  #1  
Old 03-30-2003, 05:55 PM
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SVanderkolff SVanderkolff is offline
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what machine did you wish you bought earlier

I just picked up a horizontal vertical band saw and find I am kicking myself for not getting one way sooner. My profiling takes 1/10 of the time since I can now use the bandsaw to get close. I can cut very flat very thin scales from my stabilized wood, 1/8" scales are fairly easy now. So it prompted me to ask what machine that you have that you wish you would have gotten much sooner?
Thanks
Steve


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  #2  
Old 03-30-2003, 11:03 PM
simmonsk simmonsk is offline
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Hi,
Without a doubt, the 9" VS disk sander.
Now I can make flat surfaces of my handles and slabs. Flat fits flat.
Tilt the table and dovetailed bolsters are a snap. Got the pieces to make mine from Tru-Grit.
Enjoy, Ken
The 2nd item would be my hyd. press. I made ONE mosaic billet powdered from 4"x4" x 4" can and did it all by hand. 2 lb hammer, then 4 pound hammer, then back to 2 pound hammer and then cut, grind, stack and repeat. Never again, it was too much like work.
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  #3  
Old 04-01-2003, 09:33 PM
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Geno Geno is offline
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In my case, I don't buy many tools, I like to build them.
They work better than store bought, made just for my needs, are much cheaper than buying, and I get a great satisfaction from doing it myself.

The "tools" I wish I had made sooner was Turbo Forge, and my press. For me, it put the fun back in after 20 years of grinding blades from S/S. Many of you have enjoyed working with the cable damascus blades I make now. I would just twist and stack blades all day, everyday if I could.
I finally feel like I'm getting to scratch that itch, I couldn't reach before. Know what I mean?:cool:
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  #4  
Old 04-02-2003, 07:23 AM
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floridafred floridafred is offline
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Mill

Well I just bought a mill from Harbor Freight. I had no intention of buying it until a chance conversation with the manager revealed a great price on a floor model. I'm not even sure what advantages I will derive with it in my shop as I am not well versed in it's operation. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. I'll have to let you know down the road if I missed having one.


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Old 04-03-2003, 04:52 PM
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striper28 striper28 is offline
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So far my best investment has been my tapmatic. I can tap holes in about 3 seconds and haven't broken a tap in months!


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  #6  
Old 04-03-2003, 07:03 PM
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floridafred floridafred is offline
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Tap what?

Hey Striper, Never heard of the tapmatic. Please tell us about it.


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  #7  
Old 04-03-2003, 08:08 PM
whv whv is offline
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here's a link to their site, fred.


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  #8  
Old 04-04-2003, 01:18 AM
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Geno Geno is offline
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Machine shops have used them for years, but not the kind of thing you find in most garages.It IS a handy tool(I still tap by hand)
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  #9  
Old 04-04-2003, 07:18 AM
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I have a tapmatic 30X. The largest tap you can put in it is up to 1/4. I have only used 1-72's in it. I bought it on ebay and you can find them there for around $125 and up. Brand new without collets they cost $350 and up. It works by having a clutch inside of it, and when the tap catches or stops cutting the clutch engages and stops the spindle from spinning which keeps the tap from breaking.


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  #10  
Old 04-18-2003, 05:02 AM
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Dave Larsen Dave Larsen is offline
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Like Steve, my best tool purchase ever was the metal cutting band saw. You can do things with one of those you would otherwise never attempt.

Next will be my home built disk sander... Ken, TruGrit wanted both arms and a leg for the parts for that baby! I may be back to angle iron on mine...


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  #11  
Old 04-18-2003, 07:58 AM
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Ed Caffrey Ed Caffrey is offline
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The Tool(s)

For me it's a simply thing that I never would have thought of, had it not been for Kit Carson. A skil-twist drill with a 1/4" chuck. It was a whole $13 at Wal-mart, and is the handiest thing in the world for tapping those small holes in folders! The power is weak enough that it works sorta like the tap-matic ......it will stop before it breaks taps, at least most of the the time.
Along the line of major tools, it would be a close race between my KMG grinder and my forging press. Both have made life much nicer in the shop, and I can't imagine being without either of them.


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  #12  
Old 04-24-2003, 12:27 PM
Jerry V Jerry V is offline
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yep most definitely

The machine I wish I'd bought earlier is my power hammer.

Still haven't bought one. Doesn't mean I don't wish I had.

=)
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  #13  
Old 04-24-2003, 02:52 PM
OutWest OutWest is offline
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A 3/4" wet bandsaw.

After wearing out a small horiz/vert. metal bandsaw cutting RR track for 45 anvils, yep, the gearbox & one wheel bearing.

The 3/4" saw is doing fine after another batch of RR track anvils, three hundred+ knives & guards, and lots of assorted other stuff.
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  #14  
Old 04-24-2003, 04:19 PM
Rob Frink Rob Frink is offline
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Anti-fatique mats for the various work stations around the shop.

-Rob


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  #15  
Old 04-25-2003, 01:27 AM
PaulD PaulD is offline
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The only one I need is one that prints out winning Lottery tickets.


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