Rob – Page 13 – MachinistBlog.com

StickFont – Free software for engraving

June 26, 2020April 23, 2011 by Rob

StickFont v1.1 is a free Windows program you can use to create single-stroke text for engraving. It’s very similar to another free program we’ve written about called DeskEngrave. Both programs will take a line of text and generate the g-code you’ll need to engrave it using a CNC mill, router or similar machine.… Read the rest

Harbor Freight 1×30 Belt Sander Review

September 6, 2022March 20, 2011 by Rob

This is a review of the Harbor Freight 1×30 belt sander, model #2485. I noticed it was on sale and remembered Mikey telling me that a belt sander is a better tool for grinding lathe bits than a bench grinder. So I checked the customer reviews for it on their web site and they were generally very good. … Read the rest

Dial Indicator Helps Set Z-axis Height

September 6, 2022March 15, 2011 by Rob

I bought an old Federal dial indicator from a retired machinist that had a big flat donut-shaped magnet glued on its back. I almost passed it up because it was kind of ugly, but it has turned out to be one of the most useful tools in my workshop. It is particularly useful for adjusting the Z-axis height on my Harbor Freight mini-mill.… Read the rest

New V-belt makes speed changes easier

June 18, 2020March 14, 2011 by Rob

Changing the spindle speed of your Harbor Freight 8×12 or Lathemaster 8×14 lathe will probably be easier if you replace the factory belt with a size 3L300, which you can buy at most auto parts stores for about $5. The original is so tight that changing the spindle speed by moving it to a different set of pulleys can be an unpleasant chore. … Read the rest