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Home Base => Introductions => Topic started by: jamoni on January 06, 2010, 01:31:17 AM

Title: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: jamoni on January 06, 2010, 01:31:17 AM

Howdy!
My name is Mike, and I've been lurking on this site for a few weeks.  I thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself.
I got into machining when I was in the US Army.  I worked in a Service and Recovery section, which had a bunch of different fabricating specialists lumped together: Canvas (me), body and fender, welders, glass, mechanics, electricians, electronics, and, of course, a machine shop.  When I got there, the lazy couple of bozos before me didn't even have a sewing machine, so I had to go pick one out of the scrapyard (DRMO), and repair it.  I had to make a few parts, which the machinist helped with, and I was hooked.  
For a while my metalworking was limited to knifemaking by stock removal.  I got okay at that, and managed to sell a few, but when I got out, I lacked workshop space until recently, so I let all of that slide.
Fast forward to today, when I have a small shed, a 7x12" chinese lathe, and a drill press converted to a "milling machine" that may set your hair on end with fright.  I just purchased a 12x16" shed, and once it's up, and the fun money fills back up, there'll be a proper milling machine in the stable.
So far what I've worked on are small motorcycle parts, and some tooling for the lathe.
I have an unfortunate habit of leaving things unfinished once they are in a workable state.  I'm working on that, but so far haven't finished it!
Here's a milling attachment I made for my lathe:
(http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs002.snc3/10940_1279623637244_1429646918_30787889_3682038_n.jpg)
(http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs022.snc3/10940_1279625117281_1429646918_30787890_2717361_n.jpg)
Here's my poor man's milling setup:
(http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs022.snc3/10940_1290878758615_1429646918_30815346_7966481_n.jpg)
Current projects I'm working on are a couple of replacement spokes for an older motorcycle, a single shot .357 rifle, and, in the design phase only, a very small, simple shaper/slotter.
I'm very excited by this site, and some of the interesting designs, techniques, and problem solving.  

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: spuddevans on January 06, 2010, 03:49:25 AM

Hi there Jamoni :wave: welcome to the club. Pull up a chair and join in.


Tim

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: Gerhard Olivier on January 06, 2010, 04:13:29 AM

Welcome Jamoni  :mmr:

Gerhard

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: Bernd on January 06, 2010, 09:58:36 AM

Welcome to the collective Mike.  :borg:

We like to call it that because we collect all sorts of talent and from the looks of it you have many.

Hope your not building that shed right now since it seems to be a bit cold all over the US.  ::)

I like your ingenuity on making a milling attachment for your lathe. I would call that a first class Mad Mod. Hope to see much more of your ideas in the other sections of the forum when you get to them.

A build log of your shed (shop building) would be interesting when you get around to it.

Regards,
Bernd

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: ieezitin on January 06, 2010, 12:20:53 PM

Hi Jamoni.
Welcome to our group.  Your quote:
(I have an unfortunate habit of leaving things unfinished once they are in a workable state.)  Don’t worry about that I have been doing that for years, it’s a habit I cannot get out of but I get to start more great projects that way.



 :D                        Anthony.

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: dsquire on January 06, 2010, 04:13:33 PM

Jamoni

Welcome to MadModders. Glad to have you aboard. I see that you have posted a few photos already so I guess you know the drill regarding photos. We have people on here with a lot of varied talents so I think you will be happy with what you find. If you have any questions, I'm sure someone will have an answer or at least an opinion.  :ddb: :ddb:  :mmr:

Cheers  :beer:

Don

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: jamoni on January 06, 2010, 10:00:58 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome!  As a matter of fact, I DID do some work on the shed today.  I'm putting it up on pavers to get the wood off the ground, since I can't put down gravel in the yard.  So today I measured out the edges, drove some stakes, and put a level line around them.  Then I dug down until the pavers were all at the same level.  This gives me a flat platform to lay the bearers, then I can place the joists across them.
I'm aiming to get the whole floor assembled this weekend.  I hate the cold, but I hate not having a decent shop even more.  :)

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: Bernd on January 07, 2010, 09:00:10 AM

Mike,

Don't know if your know this or not so take it with a grain of salt. The floor you propose to build will be fine for the size machines you'll be using. But if you ever get to a floor model lathe or mill a wooden floor such as you are going to build will not support larger machines. The larger machine would need a good concrete floor to keep them level and square. Just my 2 cents worth.

Bernd

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: jamoni on January 07, 2010, 02:00:31 PM

Oh yeah, I know.  There won't be anything in there larger than a benchtop milling machine.  Oh, and as many motorcycles as will fit :thumbup:. I rent but am looking to buy.  Once THAT happens, then we'll start looking at some serious iron.   :headbang:

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: Stilldrillin on January 08, 2010, 02:28:51 AM

Welcome Mike!  :wave:

You`ll do nicely here!  :thumbup:

Join in. Show pics. (Hmmm..... You are doing already!). Enjoy!

David D

Title: Re: It doesn't get much more newb than me.
Post by: Brass_Machine on January 08, 2010, 08:14:34 PM

Late to the party... welcome to the collective :borg:

Eric