Working with Manual Mill and Breech Setup

[ronbeaux]

Now we are talking! I was wondering how that would be as it seems like a way to go. If your parts are fitting the limitations of your setup then go with it. That increases the options for me because I sure am not going with a CNC or even a power feed. The combos are looking more interesting!

[bobbyjim]

If your hard core this is what you use. My 1937 Craftsman 12" lathe with home made milling attachment. First photo is the lathe set up to use. The next photo has the milling attachment with original Atlas draw bar, MT3 to R8 adapter with a half inch collet and mill end ready to mill. It has the X, X & Z plus it tilts. Every thing is home made except the 10" Atlas compound. Got the compound off of ebay for $20.00 and $10.00 shipping. All 100% Made in the USA.

I am looking for a mill but in the machinery deprived state of Florida it ain't easy. Every thing machinery related around here is considered right up there with gold.

[rsterne]

Very similar to my setup on my Atlas 12 x 36, ca 1970.... When I retired I bought an original Atlas milling attachment on eBay.... Pricey, but a lot less than the cost of a separate milling machine....

Bob

[ronbeaux]

Cool. But I am still in the 'This won't work boat.'

Although I have learned a lot from this little 7x10 it is no where near as big as I would like. Thanks for the re-direction rsterne. I won't pull the trigger until the end of March(if all goes well.)

I guess I need to evaluate just what I want to do, which is build me a big bore. I won't be making the barrel but I do want to be able to cut/trim/ machine most of the other parts.

I know it is a big en-devour but I got plenty of time

[Johnny Quest]

  I got my Smithy used on craigs list with 1000.00+  Tooling included and the Kenedy stand with 5 drawers for 1200.00..  its bad to the bone...  It has auto X any Y feed .. set it and forget it...

[gene_sc]

Na Lloyd, those pics are from when I first set shop up... I do keep it clean of chips and mess though. Looks the same except for it is got all my meathook prints all over it now...

Gene, 
Did you clean your shop up just for the photo shoot? LOL  It looks great!

I have started keeping my shop much cleaner after we had a big permanent 5S cleanup effort at work.
And I do have to admit, now that I have places for almost all of my stuff, I like keeping it that way.

Also,  what kinds of things do you use the blast cabinet for?  I don't have one, but maybe I need one, LOL!
Lloyd

[Bandit_46]

That's some Awesome work your doing there Gene.Now I've got to have a Mini Mill,that's all there is too it,lol.If I'm not Careful I may be pushing myself further into this Hobby everyday,hehe. Looks Great!

[Pete]

Nice tools Gene and Pete. I've found myself wishing mine where already moved and set up at the new place.

For people looking to buy a larger mill/drill look at the square columns (Grizzly G704 I think). They will save you some time and frustration when you are doing multiple setups.

Is that G704 new, like within the past few years?  Not loosing your location when you move the head up and down would be really  nice, but the quill travel is only 2" ?   I can see advantages to both styles.  Mostly, I have figured out  work-arounds so that I can avoid moving the head on my G1005 during one setup.

I don't know about the G704... But the dovetail column on mine has no side movement
though its travel.. the column can be adjusted/trued to sit at 90* to the table
both left/right & foward & aft...
It has 475mm (19") of lift / 125mm (5") quill travel & 45* of head tilt left/right..
its a Global DL45

[ZipSnipe]

Nice goin Gene, great looking shop.  If there is one thing I am addicted to is checking out peoples shops and garages.
Here's a pic of mine right after I built it

[MichaelM]

You guys need to stop your b!tch!ng and do your milling the old fashioned way.... using a milling attachment on a lathe carriage.... I have 6" of cross travel (X) and 3" of vertical (Y).... mind you, the "Z" direction is the length of the bed....   

Bob

LOL Bob I been looking for a decent milling attachment for my lathe any reccomendations???

[rsterne]

Mine's a 40 yo Atlas original....

Bob

[fredfunk]

I just picked up a used microlux mini mill (a rebadged sieg x2 with the brushless DC motor) for $300 in like new condition. Please don't tell me how I need a bigger one cause that's out of the picture right now! HOWEVER, I would like to try my hand at an aluminum breech for my 1377. My plan is to measure the original plastic one and go from there... any advice/suggestions? I'm out of town right now, but I've got the day off on Monday!

[fredfunk]

By the way, I like your method for truing the breech!

[Rescue35]

My plan is to measure the original plastic one and go from there... any advice/suggestions?

I did the same thing. Just measure and transfer the locations to the aluminum. Of course I used a mill. It should be doable on your lathe but it will be more difficult. Just think through the steps to get what you done and make a plan.