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Binary Rock

  1. 2008

2008-10-21 - Beginnings Of A Metalworking Shop

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  • My entry into metalworking finally gives me the impetus to build a workbench

    My entry into metalworking finally gives me the impetus to build a workbench

  • The bench will go against the wall, between the shelves and the light switch

    The bench will go against the wall, between the shelves and the light switch

  • Frame for the lower shelf assembled

    Frame for the lower shelf assembled

  • Lower shelf frame attached to the legs

    Lower shelf frame attached to the legs

  • Middle supports added

    Middle supports added

  • Getting ready to attach the apron, I find that apparently I got the math wrong somewhere. The upper board is correct - the bench itself ended up 3" too long. Fortunately, I always buy extra materials, so OK -- I guess my workbench will be a little bigger

    Getting ready to attach the apron, I find that apparently I got the math wrong somewhere. The upper board is correct - the bench itself ended up 3" too long. Fortunately, I always buy extra materials, so OK -- I guess my workbench will be a little bigger

  • New, longer pieces cut for the upper apron. Carefully levelling it before drilling

    New, longer pieces cut for the upper apron. Carefully levelling it before drilling

  • Outside of the apron completed, now just have to attach the three cross-supports

    Outside of the apron completed, now just have to attach the three cross-supports

  • Picking up the milling machine at the freight terminal (man it's handy having a trailer)

    Picking up the milling machine at the freight terminal (man it's handy having a trailer)

  • At 150 lbs it's a stout little bugger, so I strap it well down for the ride home

    At 150 lbs it's a stout little bugger, so I strap it well down for the ride home

  • The milling machine freshly uncrated

    The milling machine freshly uncrated

  • It arrives covered in red packing grease to prevent rust -- time for an hour or two with a rag and a gallon of kerosene

    It arrives covered in red packing grease to prevent rust -- time for an hour or two with a rag and a gallon of kerosene

  • All cleaned up! (Mostly -- that grease is tenacious)

    All cleaned up! (Mostly -- that grease is tenacious)

  • Cutting the plywood for the benchtop

    Cutting the plywood for the benchtop

  • Supports laid out to keep the two halves flat after cutting

    Supports laid out to keep the two halves flat after cutting

  • The long cut made. It went better than I feared

    The long cut made. It went better than I feared

  • Both layers of the benchtop attached to the bench

    Both layers of the benchtop attached to the bench

  • The bench is in place. The surface of the lower shelf and the platform for the milling machine are 3/4" MDF

    The bench is in place. The surface of the lower shelf and the platform for the milling machine are 3/4" MDF

  • It's handy having an engine hoist on hand. Almost as handy as a trailer.

    It's handy having an engine hoist on hand. Almost as handy as a trailer.

  • One factor I didn't think to allow for

    One factor I didn't think to allow for

  • Bring the mountain to Mohammed!

    Bring the mountain to Mohammed!

  • Mill bolted down securely

    Mill bolted down securely

  • The tooling for the mill arrives

    The tooling for the mill arrives

  • The mill along with the tooling and clamping equipment

    The mill along with the tooling and clamping equipment

  • The Jacobs 33 taper at the slim end of the arbor needs to be semi-permanently fitted into the drill chuck, which means that the chuck needs to be heated to 400 F first

    The Jacobs 33 taper at the slim end of the arbor needs to be semi-permanently fitted into the drill chuck, which means that the chuck needs to be heated to 400 F first

  • ...This feels wrong

    ...This feels wrong

  • Now the arbor is ready to be seated in the chuck (you can sort of see the steam coming out the top of the arbor)

    Now the arbor is ready to be seated in the chuck (you can sort of see the steam coming out the top of the arbor)

  • A few quick taps with a rubber mallet, and then it's left to cool and tighten up

    A few quick taps with a rubber mallet, and then it's left to cool and tighten up

  • Clamping kit

    Clamping kit

  • A simple starter set of 4-flute endmills

    A simple starter set of 4-flute endmills

  • A set of aptly-named "1-2-3 blocks", a precise 1"x2"x3", used for measuring, marking, and clamping

    A set of aptly-named "1-2-3 blocks", a precise 1"x2"x3", used for measuring, marking, and clamping

  • 3/8" and 1/2" collets

    3/8" and 1/2" collets

  • Center drills, for accurately starting holes

    Center drills, for accurately starting holes

  • Edge and center finder

    Edge and center finder

  • Milling vise

    Milling vise

  • Milling vise swivel base

    Milling vise swivel base

  • Dial indicator kit

    Dial indicator kit

  • Parallels, also used for measuring and clamping

    Parallels, also used for measuring and clamping

  • My first milled piece! It's... an ashtray?

    My first milled piece! It's... an ashtray?

  • My order of aluminum stock arrives

    My order of aluminum stock arrives

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