MTFCA Forum

Posted: **Mon Aug 29, 2022 6:35 pm**

Picked up this gem this weekend. Appears well built. Anyone play with one like it?

I figured it would be useful with the T project amongst other things. If you have a cool Tool post it. Might be fun to see
Bryant

Posted: **Mon Aug 29, 2022 6:40 pm**

Yea. Thats an atlas lathe. The quick change gear box is a huge score.

Posted: **Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:18 pm**

I haven’t officially figured out it’s production date yet but the manual that came with it had a 1967 date on it. Came with some nice attachments and some new tool steel.12” swing. Now I will be hunting some accessories for it

Posted: **Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:37 pm**

As a matter of fact, YES. I have had custody of this one for 55 years. It has survived my learning to use it. Hundreds of things have been made on it for my Model Ts and other cars. Spinning brass parts on it was a little tough on the bearings but it still manages to do whatever I need it to do. I haven't used any other lathes so I can't compare it to them but if yours is 10% as good to you as mine has been to me you should be very happy with it.
I am pleased to see another.
Rich

Posted: **Mon Aug 29, 2022 9:04 pm**

Welcome to the Craftsman/Atlas lathe support group!
Apparently it's the tool of choice for Model T owners. Mine came from the maintenance department of a local spud processing plant in the early 90s. The cross-feed gears were stripped, and one change gear set shelled out. Probably happened at the same time. Fortunately Sears still supported it, and I got the needed parts reasonably. It's a good item, all the elements are made to be adjusted and serviced. It's served me well for 30 years, and I'm fortunate to have acquired it ! Have fun with yours, it looks clean and well maintained.

Posted: **Mon Aug 29, 2022 9:52 pm**

Well this is great a support group! I acquired it from my brother. He has one identical to it and another atlas probably from the 50’s. Rich E yours looks great! Appears to be a bench top model. Looks like a painting with all the trinkets and the lighting. Love it
Bryant

Posted: **Tue Aug 30, 2022 7:24 pm**

Here’s one to increase the possibilities!

90 Ton press brake. This has bent up all kinds of things on the farm. It was said when new to have been in a prison. Whenever they did work in a prison I don’t know

When you fire it up the whirring of gears clutches and a big 3 phase motor revving up to speed is quite dramatic! Definitely not a machine to get complacent with. Very powerful
Bryant

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:12 am**

The ol flywheel machines were a breed of their own! Here is my new to me punch press (stuck in the mud in my backyard) probably built in the 10’s-20’s. Has dimpled several dozen wire wheel rims since...

Always count yur fingers before a project, and after!

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:23 am**

Kevin Pharis wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:12 am
The ol flywheel machines were a breed of their own! Here is my new to me punch press (stuck in the mud in my backyard) probably built in the 10’s-20’s. Has dimpled several dozen wire wheel rims since...

F3ACC3FE-D6B4-45B1-88F3-4B8C86540D5E.jpeg

Always count yur fingers before a project, and after!

That is quite lovely and beats drilling holes! What make is it?

here is one I use often that I would consider in the same family. Scotchman iron worker. Cuts flat, angle, and punch’s holes. We call it “The Muncher”
Bryant

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 11:50 am**

Wow ! You guys are into the heavy artillery !

Fun to see these machines.

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:55 pm**

I have a Craftsman just like it and there is a ton of accessories for it. Four jaw chucks, quick change tool holders, steady & fallow rests, Armature chucks, there is even a small milling attachment. I started out with a AA products ( Craftsman labeled ) 6" x 18" that I paid $100 for. That was over 40 years ago. Have not been without one since. Have fun, be careful & don't leave the key in the chuck.
Craig.

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 1:27 pm**

Rich P. Bingham wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 31, 2022 11:50 am
Wow ! You guys are into the heavy artillery ! Fun to see these machines.

Hope the bar that has been set is not to high! We accept all tools great and small, new, old, homemade, odd and the mysterious. to name a few. lets see um...
Bryant

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 1:30 pm**

Craig Leach wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:55 pm
I have a Craftsman just like it and there is a ton of accessories for it. Four jaw chucks, quick change tool holders, steady & fallow rests, Armature chucks, there is even a small milling attachment. I started out with a AA products ( Craftsman labeled ) 6" x 18" that I paid $100 for. That was over 40 years ago. Have not been without one since. Have fun, be careful & don't leave the key in the chuck.
Craig.

Hey Great another member for the support group! the small milling attachment is on my find it buy it list. yes remove the key or it may get stuck in your teeth

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 1:59 pm**

Late 20's or 30's Rockford economy lathe with 4 speed aux. Gear box. It was free. I had to buy the electric motor.

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 5:34 pm**

And now the other end of the spectrum - Part of carb jet manufacture:

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 5:55 pm**

Dallas Landers wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 31, 2022 1:59 pm
Late 20's or 30's Rockford economy lathe with 4 speed aux. Gear box. It was free. I had to buy the electric motor. 20220831_135856.jpg

Love the exposed drive belt! Maybe was a line shaft machine? Nice one!
Bryant

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 5:57 pm**

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 31, 2022 5:34 pm
And now the other end of the spectrum - Part of carb jet manufacture:

IMG_20220322_151732_1CS.jpgIMG_20220323_122602.jpgIMG_20220329_115831_1CS.jpgIMG_20220329_123319 a.png

Now here is some crazy stuff going on! Homemade? What do you call it?

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 6:17 pm**

Moseley Watchmaker's lathe with conoidal collets, Derbyshire compound, Wolf Jahn milling head and some custom gauging. The magnetic stand is gone now and all custom supports are in place...drop dial indicators are as good as DRO and a lot less cumbersome, as DRO slides would be bigger than the lathe!

the pipe-plumbing stand for the counter-shaft is a bit of an embarrassment dating back to my teen years but I am loath to remove that evidence of my inexperienced youth.

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 6:44 pm**

Bryant,
There is about 5 of those milling attachments on eBay but they are all for sale buy people that plan to retire off of selling one

Even the 6" ones are expensive. Can almost buy a used mill/drill for what they want. The first topic of the support group should be moderation, machines are like model Ts they tend to multiply.
Craig.

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:02 pm**

Scott, did Rube Goldberg come for a visit?

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2022 9:02 pm**

Yes Mark, and I was happy to give him some pointers

Posted: **Thu Sep 01, 2022 5:30 am**

Favourite precision 'adjuster' - a very useful tool indeed!

: th-761387138.jpg (24.67 KiB) Viewed 770939 times

Posted: **Thu Sep 01, 2022 9:18 am**

I couldn't agree more, Adrian ! The precision adjuster comes with detailed instructions on its proper use. Most important, #1. Do not force adjustment; use a bigger adjuster.

Posted: **Thu Sep 01, 2022 11:37 am**

Looks like THORS hammer!

Posted: **Thu Sep 01, 2022 4:37 pm**

Oh the tools I would have bought if I had room and money.

I did buy this brake drum lathe hoping to covert it for brass spinning. In the mean time I've cleaned anything round that will that will bolt up to it. This T drum cleaned to bare metal in 20 minutes and the hub pretty clean in 15. Old frazzled wire brushes, sand paper and Scotchbright pads work great on it. I don't use my sand blaster any more.

It was at a swap meet and I asked how much it was. A fellow overheard the price and said "Heck, I'd pay that much for the motor". I let him buy the motor and got the machine for free. I had a motor that works for it.
Having the right tool often make the difference.
Rich

Posted: **Fri Sep 02, 2022 7:58 am**

Glad to see you could repurpose the brake lathe! To often things just go to the junk pile. I fear in decades to come the best old machines to be found will be harbor freight models

Posted: **Fri Sep 02, 2022 7:59 am**

Fun in a box!

Posted: **Fri Sep 02, 2022 2:33 pm**

Adrian,
That being the most versatile tool in the box. To a black smith its a cross peen. To a mechanic it's a B.F.H. To a machinist it's a hand held reciprocating press. To a A&P technician it's a vibrometer. (as in adjusted rivets in wing with vibrometer ) sounds better than hammer doesn't it? And if you break anything the customer needed a new one anyway.
Craig.

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2022 1:08 am**

Check Govdeals.com for auctions of machine tools and about anything else you might need. Some bargains, some not, but lots of lathes, and mills on most of the time. Every type from basic to cnc! This is an auction service for state and federal agencies that have surplus items. Be sure to check all related listings because many items are not where you would expect them to be! Check loading instructions too. Some will help, others you are on your own!

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2022 6:03 am**

My buddy who worked manufacturing Semi trailers called his one the "nok-tometor'

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2022 2:54 pm**

Here is a Singer 241-12 heavy duty sewing machine I picked up a few years ago. It fulfilled my need to try anything. I added heavy feed dogs, a roller presser wheel and a leather needle. Bring on the upholstery work!

what’s not to like about a sewing machine with an oil pan and oil pump?

not to mention a heavy duty clutch motor. I looked up the serial number and it is from 1948

Bryant

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2022 6:40 pm**

OK, here is a deal that (hopefully) will be too good for somebody to pass up. I have been storing a 1 lb. coffee can full of collets for about 40 years, hoping that I would either find a need for them myself or find a person who needs them. Maybe somebody on this forum will be the needy one.

The marking on each collet says, "Hardinge", which is an old-line American maker of high quality lathes and milling machines. I'm familiar with collets in size ranges like like 5C and R8. The markings on these little guys says, "2VB". Their capacities seem to range from about .25" diameter down to maybe .025. The drawbar hole looks like it might be 5/16". Each collet is about 2.5" total length and about 5/8" body diameter.

They will go to whoever needs them. All for the cost of boxing and postage.

Dick

[image]IMG_0453.jpg
[/image]IMG_0457.jpg
[image]IMG_0449.jpg
[image]IMG_0443.jpg
[/image]IMG_0441.jpg

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2022 6:43 pm**

Sorry 'bout the lack of images. I've done it successfully before, but somehow the latest revision to either my computer or to my brain has voided whatever I knew about posting images. Note, computer is a Mac.

Dick

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2022 7:38 pm**

VB collets are pretty darn rare, and to the equally rare person who needs them, they will be highly prized if in any kind of decent shape

WOW

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:24 am**

otrcman wrote: ↑
Sat Sep 03, 2022 6:40 pm
OK, here is a deal that (hopefully) will be too good for somebody to pass up. I have been storing a 1 lb. coffee can full of collets for about 40 years, hoping that I would either find a need for them myself or find a person who needs them. Maybe somebody on this forum will be the needy one.

The marking on each collet says, "Hardinge", which is an old-line American maker of high quality lathes and milling machines. I'm familiar with collets in size ranges like like 5C and R8. The markings on these little guys says, "2VB". Their capacities seem to range from about .25" diameter down to maybe .025. The drawbar hole looks like it might be 5/16". Each collet is about 2.5" total length and about 5/8" body diameter.

They will go to whoever needs them. All for the cost of boxing and postage.

Dick

[image]IMG_0453.jpg
[/image]IMG_0457.jpg
[image]IMG_0449.jpg
[image]IMG_0443.jpg
[/image]IMG_0441.jpg

Never heard of a 2VB, but looks like Hardinge still produces the 2VB collets... special order, and only $290 each!

https://shop.hardinge.com/All-Products/ ... und-collet

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2022 11:35 am**

We'll let this sit on the Model T forum for a few more days to give the T guys a shot at them and then I guess I'll move over to a wider-reaching tool site if someone could suggest such a site.

Dick

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2022 4:11 pm**

To bring this back to automotive, how about one of these?

Here is what it is.

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2022 4:34 pm**

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑
Sun Sep 04, 2022 4:11 pm
To bring this back to automotive, how about one of these?
9222BC84-74F4-48DA-A7B1-691F75BC140E.jpeg
Here is what it is.
C21E9DEB-41CA-47E3-BBAE-CC96F9CE7393.jpeg

Dan that is quite nice! Any idea of its age?
Bryant

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2022 6:57 pm**

I will have to check the app chart. I think it goes from teens to the 30’s. With also post pic of the master set tomorrow. Dan

Posted: **Mon Sep 05, 2022 1:33 pm**

Manual is dated 1931 but specs go up to 34. They would send new specs each year. Here is picture on 34 sheet, goes back to early 20’s.

Here is larger master set

Has same book.

Posted: **Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:39 pm**

This grinder oughta keep those tools sharp ! Castings and stone marked "Cleveland Stone Co./Cleveland, O.

Posted: **Mon Sep 05, 2022 5:52 pm**

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 05, 2022 1:33 pm
Manual is dated 1931 but specs go up to 34. They would send new specs each year. Here is picture on 34 sheet, goes back to early 20’s.
DE13898F-27AD-420D-B7B6-195FA393A97C.jpeg

Here is larger master set
CBA4385C-47F1-4840-9035-92357BB58BC8.jpeg

Has same book.

Dan that is spectacular! I see that it tests multiple things. What are all the various hook shaped devices for? It’s like an antique mechanical scan tool

Posted: **Mon Sep 05, 2022 5:56 pm**

Burger in Spokane wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:39 pm
This grinder oughta keep those tools sharp ! Castings and stone marked "Cleveland Stone Co./Cleveland, O.

DSC03303.JPG

Brent that is nice! Is it a direct drive or a gear reduction? I have a small one for kitchen knives on a gear reduction. My dad has one with a large stone powered by bicycle foot pedals. Mom turned it into a flower pot though

Posted: **Mon Sep 05, 2022 6:21 pm**

Direct drive. I love the tulip mouth oil bowl that the wheel spins through !

My brother has a bicycle drive unit like you describe. It is SO cool !

Posted: **Mon Sep 05, 2022 7:01 pm**

The “hooks” are for fitting into the clys to find the top dead center of piston travel. This lets you time the spark. Dan

Posted: **Tue Sep 06, 2022 9:22 pm**

Bordering the “odd and unusual” this goat treadmill fits the shoe.

apparently this goat power tool was used to turn butter churns, wash machines, and other varieties of small belt powered things. It’s crazy what you will find in the barns around here. Now where has that goat gone of to?

Posted: **Fri Sep 09, 2022 10:26 am**

I don't usually have a bunch of spare time, but recently was upgrading a crappy/cheap 12 ton press, which would turn into a pretzel at about 5 tons, into a real 12 ton press. It will likely be greater capacity than that when done but will at least be an HONEST 12T. I finally gave up on the idea of buying a nice 35T press, so this will have to do...

Anyway, as part of my renovation, other than beefing everything up, I also made a pair of nice table supports as shown here. The other end is bullet-shaped and seeks the alignment holes with ease which is a blessing...the knurled handles feel "right" and the collar shows me when it is fully and safely engaged...just a stupid Saturday afternoon project. Gun-blued them and everything looks good.

Posted: **Fri Sep 09, 2022 7:15 pm**

Very good! Don’t forget to add the made in the USA tag!

Posted: **Fri Sep 09, 2022 7:26 pm**

Speaking of presses. Here is one for the Manley Man!

Manley 60 ton! I get a little nervous around 40 tons

POW

make sure your not bleeding and collect the parts

Posted: **Fri Sep 09, 2022 7:54 pm**

Scott, that should get those stuck parts out of carbs? I like those projects on saturday afternoon also.

Posted: **Fri Sep 09, 2022 8:46 pm**

For those of us who only yearn at a distance for the massive tooling, I present this humble offering which actually makes a better hammer than a wrench, may all the monkeys who have busted knuckles with it Rest In Peace!

Posted: **Fri Sep 09, 2022 8:55 pm**

Professor Plum in the billiard room with the wrench!

Posted: **Sun Sep 11, 2022 2:17 am**

Not a stupid upgrade Scott, those pins look nice. And easy to grab.
A friend has a no-nonsense press quite similar and it's used regularly in his 20's era paying shop. Nice pic Bryant!
Rich, send that ol' Monkey to me and I'll put it back in use. I'd be glad to have another to keep the NPRail wrench company.
Two Monkey's are great to Zee T parking brake handles to get them off your leg. I had to borrow one last time.
Happy with my old lathes, making parts. I can hear the stereo with the 93 yr old running and tell when he's mad about the work.
The 110 yr old lathe is slap-happy on the belt so he's more noisy and makes the building quiver.

Posted: **Sun Sep 11, 2022 9:51 pm**

Thank you Duane. You know, I bought the thing around 1985 from an old fellow, a local Model "A" guy... who said he NEVER had a use for it so it ought to go. Even though it was very flimsy, with excess testosterone, and a lack of real awareness of how badly this thing could hurt someone, I overused it probably weekly for the next 35+ years. I just got a wild hair to beef it up and now it really performs well (within it's capabilities) and doesn't try to pirouette or contort any more when I really apply the lumber to it. For the first time in 35+ years it is a real pleasure to use.

Posted: **Mon Sep 12, 2022 11:44 am**

Rich, That is a much better adjustable open end hammer than a 12" Crescent wrench. Scott, I made my press out of some truck frame gloves & crossmembers. Hydraulic cylinder shafts & pistons. Cut up a old jack to make a adjustable stem. Bryant, that is impressive. I used one of those in a truck shop. Yes they will scare the heck out of you

Craig.

Posted: **Tue Sep 13, 2022 11:56 am**

: 6A5F6187-54FA-4BAC-BA8A-0747807075A0.png (223.21 KiB) Viewed 770006 times

Get your wallets out!

inside this man cave

remember it’s only money

Posted: **Tue Sep 13, 2022 1:46 pm**

Bit of trivia you guys probably all know, but in the early days of the automobile, socket wrenches were a rarity, and the sets that were available, each size socket was made integral with a handle, usually a short "ell", sometimes a "tee". The Snap-On folks were among the first to offer sockets that would "snap on" to a variety of handles, hence the name !

Posted: **Tue Sep 13, 2022 6:25 pm**

Here is an example Rich. (Photo courtesy of dobro1956)

Posted: **Tue Sep 13, 2022 8:03 pm**

Came in a tool box I bought at an auction.

Posted: **Wed Sep 14, 2022 2:58 am**

Back in the mid/late '80's, I worked part time as a welder for a local heavy equipment contractor. The shop had a 50 or 60 ton press similar to that Manly press that was originally a hand pump affair. The resident head mechanic took a fuel injection pump from an OLD Caterpillar four cylinder diesel and plumbed it into the hydraulic system, plumbed in valves and lines to the cylinder ram, hooked it up to an electric motor, and had a hell of a press. That pump was unbelievably noisy, but it sure worked slick. I don't recall how much pressure it would make, but we never maxed it out or even made the motor pull down. Never seen another setup like it. Dave

Posted: **Wed Sep 14, 2022 8:26 am**

Hey Dave Stroud, here are some photos of Stroud & Co. grading equipment from just up the road from you in Omaha. The grader photos are from 1917. The house/grading? thing was in Albert Lea MN in 1919. Maybe they are from some of your relatives?

Posted: **Thu Sep 15, 2022 6:51 pm**

: 03843C74-0450-4C72-B592-AB6B9F7506AA.jpeg (26.16 KiB) Viewed 769788 times

here’s an odd tool. Get a grip!

Posted: **Thu Sep 15, 2022 7:25 pm**

^^^^^^^^^
That’s for getting it “finger tight”

Posted: **Sun Sep 18, 2022 1:27 pm**

Sometimes you just need the right Tool for the right job!

Posted: **Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:29 pm**

I wonder what the swing on this one is?

Yup just a few more thou and she will be ready!

Posted: **Mon Oct 10, 2022 1:54 pm**

One of several lathes set up for making carb parts

Posted: **Mon Oct 10, 2022 9:38 pm**

Milling machines and precision drilling machine equipped with Albrecht chucks. These chucks would be an incredible extravagance if not for the fact that they are very reasonably priced eBay purchases which I refurbish to typically .0004" Max runout. My last and perhaps final chuck rebuild was for my Millrite milling machine.

Advice to anyone wishing to equip their machines with Albrecht chucks: NEVER chuck up a carbide bit into an Albrecht chuck. The jaws will not "bite" into the bit and the bit WILL spin in the jaws...do that more than once (or perhaps just once) and the designed precision of the chuck will be wiped out. In those instances, whip out the old stand-by Jacobs chuck for that sort of abuse.

Posted: **Mon Oct 10, 2022 10:38 pm**

That mill is waaaaay too clean Scott!

Mine usually has a 4’ radius DMZ around it

Posted: **Tue Oct 11, 2022 7:33 am**

Very nice fellas! Scott what brand of lathe is that? Kevin it looks like snow

here is the one I visit often. Tried and true Bridgeport

Everyone needs a milling machine
Bryant

Posted: **Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:13 am**

Bryant, it is a Southbend Model C (Workshop) lathe Ca 1962. It's my "new" lathe and was found in unused condition. It has a complete compliment of 3C collets and is fitted with a turret for manual production work (think float valves!). Due to its like-new condition it gets babied with mostly brass work. The other lathes do the heavy/dirty work.

Kevin, I just finished my clean-up for winter so I must hang my head in shame...

Posted: **Sun Oct 23, 2022 12:35 pm**

Kind of a mundane thing, yet it's not something a person with a hobby-size press would necessarily think about...at least it took ME 35 years to realize these things were available! Last year I sprang for a set of ground steel press plates to replace the (dangerous) lumpy cast iron plates that came with this thing. They are wire EDM'd (I think) and are ground to within .001". It's wonderful to put a small part on the plate and know that things will go in true and not risk a cocked bushing due to the lousy original plates letting things rock and roll. Those plates and some upgrades I've done to the frame and ram have turned this cheapie press into a regular and better yet, precise work-horse.

Posted: **Sun Oct 23, 2022 1:04 pm**

Hi Scott,
Golly, those look nice.

I, too, have found that low cost tools and equipment can, often, be upgraded to perform quite well. Expen$ive tools are often beyond my financial reach.
To be clear, I willingly admit that precision work to X ten thousandths of an inch can't be easily done with a rock and a stick, but the clever individual can do very good work
with tools not purchased from a "tool truck."

Posted: **Sun Oct 23, 2022 1:57 pm**

Bill

indeed, I agree 100%.

I've gone from a poor kid on less than a budget, to a guy too busy in an office to work in his shop, to a guy who is mildly indulgent on "toy" spending. That said, $3500 for the press I wanted was too rich for me given the other things I could spend it on...so this little press became my project.

Solid steel ram in a tubular guide gives precision; snap-in pushers are re-faceable and replaceable; taller and stouter legs increase capacity and golly, those plates...ooh-la-la!

Posted: **Sun Oct 23, 2022 5:13 pm**

Cincinnati Drill Press

This Monster is at a friend of mines place. For drilling BIG holes in things!

Posted: **Sun Oct 30, 2022 10:09 am**

A thing of Beauty

Posted: **Sun Oct 30, 2022 3:27 pm**

Absolutely beautiful!!!
"I love my camera and all things about Photography"
Paul Freidlund.

Posted: **Thu Nov 17, 2022 4:44 pm**

What! NO safety glasses?!?!

Posted: **Fri Nov 18, 2022 12:00 am**

No sparks = machine not running = posed picture.

Posted: **Sat Nov 19, 2022 7:28 am**

Just received my new thumb saver hammer. Les

Posted: **Sat Nov 19, 2022 10:19 am**

Probably posed, but could be wet grinding at low speed.

Posted: **Fri Nov 25, 2022 11:53 am**

Something every auto restorer should own! A small hand held soda blaster. I’ve be using this on all kinds of small parts. Dose wonders on rusty old bolts. Won’t harm glass. And tastes good

Love it!

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 12:01 pm**

brought this nice accessory home for the Atlas lathe. Nice Atlas tool post grinder. Iam going to attempt to weld up my steering column shaft then turn it down and finish with a grind.

Posted: **Sun Nov 27, 2022 8:33 pm**

Sweet

I'm sure you know to wrap up, mask off, mask up, social distance, quarantine, and otherwise protect that lathe while doing the grinding operation.

Posted: **Sun Nov 27, 2022 10:08 pm**

I gave it a good cover but it became problematic so I removed it because during the procedure the grindings seemed to favor flying out thru the shield onto the floor. So all went well

Posted: **Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:22 am**

Grinding residue will do a lot of damage. A vacuum set up would help control the stuff.

Posted: **Thu Dec 29, 2022 9:37 am**

received this repo crankcase locator tool for Christmas. Seems well made. Aluminum. First step in seeing how close my oil pan will be. Keeping my fingers crossed though my pan appears to be in very good shape.
Bryant

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:51 am**

I have the same lathe. Mine came from a school shop class.
Jim B.
Wellsburg WV

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:41 pm**

Hey great! I really like the Atlas. I would like to find a good reversible chuck though. Amongst a few other good attachments

Bryant

Posted: **Mon Jan 23, 2023 11:14 am**

Pulled this out of a dark corner of a barn at the farm. Sunnen hone machine. With the model T I found lots of uses for it. Could use some new dial indicators.
Bryant

Posted: **Wed Feb 22, 2023 8:10 pm**

Did someone ask about tools?

Posted: **Wed Feb 22, 2023 8:40 pm**

Or was it something about tools?

Posted: **Wed Mar 08, 2023 8:00 pm**

For aficionado's of the obscure and obsolete...

a set of taps/dies in fractional sizes starting at 1/16"

These are American National Standard and were considered obsoleted by the late 1930's and officially replaced with UN standard in 1949. While only different in size by around .0002", they are considered interchangeable (except for many fractional sizes which were dropped for numbered sizes). For instance, the 1/8-40 NS thread is now #5-40 UNC, but most small fractional sizes simply were dropped and the nearest # tap was inserted...an example is 3/32-48 NS, for which there is no equivalent UN tap/die.

Sets such as this are invaluable in the restoration of old precision automotive parts where threads are neither Metric nor UNC or UNF. Mint sets like this come along very infrequently, but insofar as they obsoleted so relatively soon after being made, they are often in pretty good shape...in this case, I don't think this set ever saw the light of day (in its day)

Posted: **Thu Mar 09, 2023 11:33 am**

Hi Scott,

"For aficionado's of the obscure and obsolete..."

This is so delightfully arcane.

I appreciate the back story concerning the demise and discontinued use of certain sizes and their replacement with a size which is "pretty close" (

) and good enough.

More than a few times, when working on "some old thing", I've had to identify a bolt or machine screw. My thread gauge tells me the number per inch, but after measuring the OD of the fastener and consulting various screw thread tables in Machinery Handbook and other sources I find myself asking, out loud, "What the heck size is this thing?"

This reminds me of the mandated obsolescence of certain tire sizes and the appearance of Oversize 30 x 3 1/2 tires.

Living here in New England I occasionally encounter products made by Greenfield Tap and Die, just down the road in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

Thank you, Scott, for sharing this delightful item. Bill

Posted: **Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:47 pm**

Greetings, Scott. I have a small collection of obscure taps and dies that I use in restoring antique bicycles, from the 1880’s and 90’s. There were few standard threads in use then, either in threads per inch or diameter. There were a number of manufacturers of bicycle t&d sets. Columbia high wheels usually had different size bolts but all were 18 threads per inch. One of my favorite sets has the taps tapered, so you can stop at the diameter you need. Years ago, I lucked into a diametric self opening die head with many of the spoke thread sizes that I use included. I like rolled threads better but they are nor possible on oddball sizes. The die head is adjustable for diameter, so I can fit the spokes to the holes. Using center less ground stainless blanks, and my lathe, I can make all the same threaded length which looks better. These are for radial spoked wheels.

Posted: **Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:43 am**

Interesting stuff, Bill

there are a few things that I make which would benefit greatly having a self-opening die stock on my lathe, but each time I'm tempted to spend the $$$, that run of parts is done for maybe a year. I look at eBay sometimes and just dream!

Posted: **Sat Mar 18, 2023 9:27 pm**

Biggest chuck ever, for the tiniest drill ever...

Stromberg OF jet orifices...not much bigger than a grain of rice

Posted: **Mon Mar 20, 2023 2:22 pm**

That last job had me sweating over possibly breaking the drill, so I made a custom finger-feed sensitive drill setup which works very well. Fit of arbor to socket is 100 millionths and is smooth as butter.

Posted: **Mon Mar 20, 2023 4:19 pm**

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 20, 2023 2:22 pm
That last job had me sweating over possibly breaking the drill, so I made a custom finger-feed setup which works very well. Fit of arbor to socket is 100 millionths and is smooth as butter.

IMG_20230320_104038_3.jpgIMG_20230320_104108_4.jpg

100 millionths sounds so much more impressive than 1 tenth doesn't it?

Posted: **Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:50 pm**

Jerry

yes, it certainly do!

(but with 100, ya got a little +/- wiggle room)

FWIW - I made a living for years lapping Gas Bearing Gyro's +/- .000003". Shafts straight and round; bores straight and round, and thrust plates flat. A fingerprint would fill the assembled gap and stop it from running... .0001" was cavernous in my world. Was interesting work and provided an excellent career, though at times horribly stressful. But now I just have fun.

Posted: **Fri Apr 07, 2023 4:24 pm**

While I don't mind using the hand shears, this one makes the job nice and fast. They cost 4 times what this one did 40 years ago. Like so many tools, I don't use it often but when I need it, it is pretty nice.
Rich

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