Author Topic: Must have tools and accessories  (Read 7492 times)

Offline Brass_Machine

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Must have tools and accessories
« on: March 24, 2009, 09:25:30 AM »
To help some of us who are starting out (and me), What would be a good list of tools (besides the big stuff) to have in your shop? I would like to keep an emphasis on shop made tools, but that is not a requirement. I see things like:

Bog's tramming tool
Various depth and thickness gauges
A vice stop
Steve Bedair's ball turner (the one Ralph made famous!)

etc...

Let's hear from you guys. Oh yeah... pictures would be nice to go with...

Eric
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Offline sbwhart

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2009, 10:07:40 AM »
Hi Eric

I've had in mind  :scratch: doing a short thread on making a set of toolmakers clamps, when I did my aprentiship it was one of the first thing we made in the training shop I still use mine regularly.

As for other bits:- Tap wrench:- Die holder both for hand and machine use:- Centre punch this will teach hardening and tempering techniques:- Finger clamps:- Height gauge for setting lathe tools on centre:-

A bit more adventurouse projects could be, Scribing block, A small drill vice, V blocks, Leveling Jacks

One thing that I have found very usfull since starting my home shop was the clamp set I bought this not only made my set ups a lot safer they made my time more productive, not having to scratch arround for the right nut bolt packing etc, this would be a nice useful project particularly if you set out with the aim of trying to make it with the minimum of kit to replicate what a newbie would have to contend with.

Making tools for your shop is a good way of learning techniques and when youre done you've got something that will be useful for years to come.

I must admit I'm a bit of a tool nut, I like making, owning and using tools.

I hope this helps

Thanks for starting and running great forum. :thumbup:

Stew
A little bit of clearance never got in the road
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Location:- Crewe Cheshire

Offline Bernd

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2009, 10:16:06 AM »
Speaking of toolmaker clamps. Check HERE at my site. I made a few and describe how.

I've started to make a scribing block as described by Geo. Thomas in his books and modified by Guy Lautard in his Bedside Reader. I think I was taking pics when I started that project. Haven't touched it since I started the indexhead project.

Bernd
Route of the Black Diamonds

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2009, 10:28:49 AM »
...
I must admit I'm a bit of a tool nut, I like making, owning and using tools.

...

Agreed. I am a tool nut too. For the past couple of years, my shop has primarily been used to produce a profit. I make these:



Most of my shop made tools have been used to make that stuff. I figure I need to redo some stuff, make some more tools. With some of our newer members (those who are just starting out with machine tools)... this thread would be a good way to get started making chips. Besides, as a nut I love to see peoples shop made tools.

Eric
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Offline sbwhart

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2009, 10:31:27 AM »
Ok what is it  :scratch:
A little bit of clearance never got in the road
 :wave:

Location:- Crewe Cheshire

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2009, 10:35:19 AM »
Ok what is it  :scratch:

Doh! I knew I forgot something. That is a kickstand for a sportbike. CF and aluminum. Half the weight of stock and a lot stronger.

Eric
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Offline Bernd

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2009, 10:35:53 AM »
Ok what is it  :scratch:

 :lol:                                                                            :lol:
Shame on you Stew. You weren't paying attention in class again. :wack:

But then maybe you weren't a memeber yet. Eric makes custom kick stands for motorcycles. I think I'm right on that. :scratch:

Edited: I see Eric beat me to the punch. :doh:  :bang:
« Last Edit: March 24, 2009, 10:37:25 AM by Bernd »
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2009, 10:37:21 AM »


On a customers bike.

Eric
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Offline sbwhart

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2009, 10:38:56 AM »
 :doh:

So it is. now that you've told me I can regognise it.

Smart Job  :thumbup:

Stew
A little bit of clearance never got in the road
 :wave:

Location:- Crewe Cheshire

Offline SPiN Racing

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Re: Must have tools and accessories
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2009, 12:37:14 AM »
OOh nice kickstands!

I will keep an eye out for them when Im at Deals Gap the weekend of the 17th of April.


Tools.. that I think I need.  Or that I have run into the need to have. Mostly cause I see how they are used here.. and I smack my forehead and say.. OHHH thats how you can do that so much easier.

Ball Turner (Duh.. and yes the first tool I made)
Parallels for the Mill Vice (OMG I dont know how I got along without them. I was always spending 30 minutes trying to level things.)
Head Tramming Tool. (I use a  single dial indicator with an arm about 12" long for the sweep of the tool currently)
Peck Drill  (Didnt know How nice it was to have until I have it now.. I use it allll the time whenever I need to drill anything in the Lathe.. and yes I will get the how to post finished LOL)
Mill Stop (need to make one.. thats something in the queue for tools)
QCTP and Extra tool holders!! (Making a batch of tool holders now)
Coolant dispensing method (If you need it... you need it then. .. not in a week. Worth having I think... saves me on tooling already)

SOMETHING TO PUT TOOLING IN/ON.  (I need to figure this out. I am thinking desk, table, shelving, cabinet.. not sure. BUt I need something cause the tooling is overflowing the area)
A GOOD LIGHT (I dont have one.. but need a light for my work. Not just a overhead.. a small spot style light.)
« Last Edit: March 27, 2009, 12:43:04 AM by SPiN Racing »
SPiN Racing