Plans, projects and How-to's for Home Machinists and Other Makers
I just bought a 20-foot hose for my shop vacuum and I wish I’d done it decades ago. I never realized it before, but my shop vacuum is probably the tool that I spend the most time using and a longer hose makes it much easier to use.
The hoses and electrical cords that came with my shop vacuums aren’t unreasonable short, but over the years I’ve spent many hours moving my shop vacuum from one electrical outlet to another in order to reach every corner of my workshop. … Read the rest
This is a review of a very inexpensive Quick Change Tool Post (QCTP) set for 7x mini-lathes that can be purchased on Ebay for about $38 (including shipping). It is considerably less expensive than similar size QCTPs that you can find on LittleMachineShop.com and Amazon that cost about $135 to $155 plus shipping.… Read the rest
Some might not consider a utility trailer to be a tool but I do and it’s one of my most useful ones. This article describes why and reviews Harbor Freight’s 4×8-foot utility trailer.
I lost the ability to bring home full-size sheets of plywood and other large items when we replaced my wife’s mini-van with a small SUV about five years ago. … Read the rest
This is the rear-mounted parting tool holder for my Sherline lathe. It’s based on a design that’s been around for decades and I made it about 12 years ago, before Sherline offered one for sale. It is just a block of 6061-T6 aluminum and it cost almost nothing to make. Further on you’ll find drawings that will help you make your own.… Read the rest