Updated February 01, 2012. This site is provided primarily as a reference for those persons interested in home shop machining and metalworking. Many files deal with metal lathes, milling machines, and metal shapers. There are also more general subjects dealing with drilling, metal cutting, threading, metal types, rust removal, finishes, lubricants, etc. that will be of practical interest to every metalworker (or woodworker) and machine owner. Some general files will be useful to nearly everyone out there. Also be sure to read the safety warning on this page.
In the General section here is a heavily updated version in 2012 of the ACME Digital Photography Primer, which has lots of helpful tips on camera equipment and software selection, and their use -- for those trying to get better results for their pictures, either to put on the web or as a hobby. This file was entirely written by yours truly, who loves digital photography. If you find the ACME file information is useful, please drop me a quick email to say so. I'd like to know my time spent on improving this file is doing you some good.
Amateur and professional machinists have taken advantage of the Internet to share tips and advice through newsgroups (aka user groups), many of which are machine specific. The message data has piled up in each news/user group's archives, with literally thousands of earlier messages.
It is extremely difficult for a newcomer to wade through all prior questions and answers and tips. A general electronic search of the archives on a subject will likely return too many messages. A very narrow search may not find the needed information, perhaps because the answer needed was buried in a message with a totally different title or discussion subject.
To make refinding interesting data easier for me, I saved some discussions on my computer in simple text files broken down by subject. (Note the "some discussions" -- chosen items were the ones I found most interesting or useful, and I have pruned out much repetitious quoting and redundant messages.) Seventy-eight subject files are made available here, providing some user members' answers to many common and uncommon metalworking questions. I salute all those who have helped others by participating in the metal groups, whether or not their messages were incorporated into these particular files.
| Tips for File Use | General Metalworking and Other Useful Files |
| Metal Lathe Files | News/User Groups |
| Milling Machine Files | Major Metal Links |
| Metal Shaper Files | Safety Warning |
When looking for information in these subject files, please remember the following:
Particular emphasis on the brands Atlas (aka Craftsman, or Acorn in the U.K.), Sherline, and Taig (Peatol in the U.K.). Here you will also find lathe operational, repair, and modification information that will be useful to any lathe owner.
Particular emphasis on Sherline and Taig models, but much general milling information is also presented that will be useful to owners of similar size or larger mills. Sherline and Taig mill users should also read the entries about both brands in the Metal Lathe Files section above.
This information is useful for any brand of small (or even large) metal shaper. AMMCO and the Delta produced version have the same basic design. The Atlas (aka Craftsman or Acorn) shaper also has a file here.
The Yahoo site hosts many metal-oriented user groups. Go to their main site and sign up (free) for the ones you want. I strongly suggest you use the Digest choice to receive e-mail. This way one e-mail digest arrives daily containing up to 25 compacted messages, but ads and attachments and viruses have been stripped out. Much easier to read. Especially if a group's messages get busy to the point of needing more than one digest per day. When you want to look at a group's files or photos, just sign in to Yahoo, visit the group's individual area, and then browse through group files there. (Besides metalworking, there are hundreds of groups dealing with hobbies and subjects the whole family can enjoy.)
Yahoo Groups. You will want to check out: atlas_craftsman, Metal_Shapers, sherline, taigtools, atlas618lathe, AA_109Lathe_Users_Group, Atlasshaperandmillingmachineusersgroup, sherlinecnc, and others such as gingery_machines (where folks have made their own lathes, mills, ...), CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO, beginnerswkshp, and Prints_and_Plans. Find other groups here by a search within the main site for group names involving phrases like "metal lathe".
There is an excellent general metalworking news group at Google called rec.crafts.metalworking that also maintains a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions compilation). They keep an archive of thousands of their messages -- see same site as their FAQ.
The Metal Shaper FAQ is now on the NEMES (New England Model Engineering Society) site along with many interesting articles including the NEMES Gazette's Metal Shaper Columns.
The OldTools Archive site has information on old hand tools, including repair and restoration, that will be of keen interest to woodworkers and metalworkers alike. (Who here doesn't Luuuv tools???) An e-mail list can be joined, whereupon you gain the honorific title of Galoot. Sure is catchy on a business card.
Rather than try to list the hundreds of ever-changing metal links on the Internet, I'm going to list just a very few key sites including some that maintain big lists of metal links. All the following sites are well worth visiting on their own considerable merits (even if you do not use their particular machinery, yet). And a few helpful sites were added just to show the potential of this hobby. There are some really great people behind these sites working hard to expand the knowledge available to the home machinist as well as professional metalworkers.
Sherline's Lathe and Mill Home Page also has a bonanza of metalworking tips and projects and linked contributors' sites that will keep you printing for a very long time. They are far more than a machine tool sales company. First class help and encouragement for the newcomer.
John Bentley aka The Engineman where another master craftsman has some incredible completed and ongoing projects (not just engines) that should inspire everyone. Many modifications and tips for improving the Taig lathe. Crystal clear photos and machining explanations provide information that will save you lots of time and grief in this hobby no matter what your current skill level or machines available.
Nick Carter's Taig Lathe and Mill site where you will spend hours rummaging through the incredible tips and detailed help and the contributors' linked pages. Buy more printer paper. More first class help for the newcomer.
Tony Jeffree's Model Engineering Pages where you will see how an innovative master craftsman and fine writer has developed some wonderful modifications and projects for the Taig/Peatol machines, elevating them to an ever more capable level. (You could adapt many ideas here to other machines.)
Guy Lautard's home site where this deservedly famous author provides a wealth of information and resources to machinists, gunsmiths, metalworkers, clockmakers, and anyone who loves tools and good stories. His Machinist's Bedside Reader books are immensely entertaining and a how-to treasure.
Peter McBride, Goldsmith / Jeweller, whose site is a goldmine of information on metalworking and fine woodworking and restoring antique tools. Also, you will be amazed by the skills and techniques involved in his truly hand-made custom jewellery. Enjoy.
Pat McGuirk's invaluable (huge!) list of links. Spend a month here. So they run out of trees to make printer paper; they'll grow more :-)
Micro-Machine Shop where you will find incredibly detailed photos and how-to's for modifications to Taig machines -- as well as mill drill and 9 X 20 lathe information, and many extremely useful workshop tips. Wow!
Rick Sparber's Machining is a site with a great many useful projects, as well as tips for improving machines and our machining practices. Very detailed diagrams and clear photos and explanations.
David Triezenberg's North Branch Reels (and Machining Tips) is an incredible resource towards beautiful and functional projects. The tips and machining and finishing procedures are applicable to many other projects. Fascinating site with great pictures.
Dean Williams' Projects site where he provides detailed articles on making accessories for Taig lathes, and has an excellent section on refurbishing a Craftsman 109 (AA109). Now there is a section with help for an Atlas 618 lathe. A very useful site with many projects and techniques adaptable by the owner of any small lathe or mill.
Paul Beebe, Knifesmith, who started as a professional blacksmith and then mastered knifemaking skills, producing carving knives and other tools for Lee Valley Tools; subsequently his custom knifemaking expanded and I can personally attest to the fine design and quality and finish and function of these gems; he also provides online how-to tips and tutorials. Got a dream knife in mind? Talk to Paul.
Tom Skoropad's Modelling Resources Page which primarily targets aircraft flying models -- but has dozens of links that are interesting and/or useful to woodworkers, metalworkers, and other crafts or hobbies.
Miles Stair's End Times Report has much practical information on self reliant living with subjects like gardening, tool care, alternative energy, and many other topics that may be useful to you today. Nature has frequently devastated large areas where more individual preparedness should have reduced losses.
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SAFETY WARNING
BEWARE: DO NOT ASSUME that any subject matter or procedure or process is safe or correct or appropriate just because it was mentioned in a news/user group or was included in these files or on this site or on any other web site or was published in a magazine or book or video. Working with metals and machinery and chemicals and electrical equipment is inherently dangerous. Wear safety devices and clothing as appropriate. Remove watches, rings, and jewellery -- and secure or remove loose clothing -- before operating any machine. Read, understand and follow the latest operating procedures and safety instructions provided by the manufacturer of your machine or tool or product. If you do not have those most recent official instructions, acquire a copy through the manufacturer before operating or using their product. Where the company no longer exists, use the appropriate news or user group to locate an official copy. Be careful -- original instructions may not meet current safety standards. Updated safety information and operating instructions may also be available through a local club, a local professional in the trade, a local business, or an appropriate government agency. In every case, use your common sense before beginning or taking the next step; and do not proceed if you have any questions or doubts about any procedure, or the safety of any procedure. Follow all laws and codes, and employ certified or licenced professionals as required by those laws or codes. Hazardous tasks beyond your competence or expertise should also be contracted to professionals. Let's be really careful out there. |
Machinist Musing: "I prefer not to anthropomorphize tools. They hate that." -- Doug Dawson
Site Creation. This private site was created using a powerful text editor NoteTab Light (freeware and actually very simple to use) from Fookes Software that allows simultaneous search and replace across multiple text files. Help in polishing the site to XHTML standards came from reading an excellent book by Elizabeth Castro called HTML FOR THE WORLD WIDE WEB. And you didn't have to watch flashing ads and dancing penguins.
As mentioned above in Tips for File Use, if you have more questions about particular messages or subjects provided in these files, first make a responsible effort by searching appropriate user groups' archives and FAQs. Still no luck? Then post your question to the appropriate News/User Groups for the benefit of everyone. (I cannot answer them here.)
Disclaimer and Privacy Policy. There is no commercial relationship between myself and any site or product mentioned. My Machining and Metalworking at Home site is private and has no cookies and gathers no personal information from your visits. A counter was added in Oct 2003 so I could see how much the site is really being used. If you write to me, remember to replace "x~xx" with "@"; your correspondence will be kept totally confidential unless you wish to share it. Enjoy your hobbies and take care. Steve -- Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Site Updating. Metalworking text files here are updated monthly if they contain new information. As of 2009 (when I stopped keeping track), just over 2000 hours had been expended. Updated files will not necessarily change much as many discussion topics have been thoroughly covered before. You have the option to save the files of interest to you, and then to update them to suit yourself with information you receive from the user groups' e-mail, or any other source. That way you will always have customized, current information -- keeping only the info that you really need for your personal reference use.
Machinist Winter 2012 Ramblings: Hopefully we are past the peak/worst of winter, but are still snug and content in our workshops and happy, hobby workspaces. Big projects can bring a lot of stress, particularly if new skills or procedures are required. Take time to plan, and it is usually helpful and quicker in the long run to do a practice piece on scrap before committing to a difficult step. And it is amazing how much personal satisfaction and contentment can come from accomplishing a little project. Just remember to have fun, safely.
Copyright © 2003-2012 Steve Bachanek. This site is copyrighted and no content may be reproduced by any means, including electronic, without written permission except for strictly personal use.
Last updated February 01, 2012 .... created on March 2, 2003 .... and relocated to this new permanent web address in early 2006.
back to Table Of Contents on this pageback to Janelle Studio's main page
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