Me shop is now COMPLETE!!!

R

rashid11

Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
707
well, almost. I really can not think of anything I want to add :)
Few things I'd love to upgrade to large versions, but shop being
a garage in a townhouse, I have me limits. On the same note,
I really love the fact that both the mini-mill and mini-lathe can be
easily moved by 1 person. I can lift the lathe on/off the workbench
and easily move the mill the workbench (to move it on/off, one
needs to remove the column/head assy, to be safe, that's one large
nut and you're done)


So here the list of what I have, bought over last 6Y or so . All improvements by yours truly:

- HF Mini-mill. Converted to belt drive, 3-axis Shumatech.com DYI DRO
- HF 8x10, upgraded, vis LMS kit, to 8x14. Longitudal DRO and power feed
- HF 4x6 bandsaw. Didn't do much to it, outside of DT 3/8 NC into UL corner of moving jaw so I can cut smaller piece w/o jaw tilting. From www.mini-lathe.com, BS section. Reward the BS and yerself with proper bi-metal blades!
- HF TIG/Stick
- HF dual MIG
- HF grinder/buffer, converted to HMG+buffer of my own design (posted the how-to on Web)

- HF dry/wet sharpener http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=33867
converted into diamond power hone
- HF air compressor: 2HP 8Gallon 6SCFM @ 90PSI http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90385

LOUD, but tolerable, portable and works great.

- HF angle grinder http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3150

- Craftsman 4x36 belt/disk grinder

- Crafstman's BS http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...ical=TOOL&subcat=Band+Saws&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes . Paid $255+T @ local sears

Unbeleivable value for the money, BUT you MUST replace the gutless crappy worthless motor with 1HP "farm duty" HF motor ($75) and THEN it SINGS !

For $320 you will get a portable, solid BS, with excellent machined table, almost 8" throat capacity, excellent rack/pinion guide etc etc. And it looks good too ! I welded a pair of smallish casters to one side of the stand. Reward the BS and yerself with proper Timberwolf blade!

- Craftsman 4" jointer

- Craftsman jigsaw

- Craftsman shopvac

- Craftsman latest portable tool set: nailer, drill, reciprocating saw, "cold" light

- Some HD stuff: portable table saw, mitter saw

- HF air tools: grinder, incl micro, paint guns

- HF digital calipers. LOOOOVE them. Buy a 20-battery pack at a local
fair for $1. Batteries last forever, but I replace them when they start
blinking


- Home-built heat-treating oven. State-of-the-art :) digitally controlled 240V design. Goes to 1800F in minutes, reaches 2000F or may be even higher. (posted the how-to on Web)



I built 2 semi-stationary workbenches, both fold flat against the walls I need them to. Some HW is stowed under the benches

Some tools, being rather light, hang (flat against the walls) on largish screws I have in the wall studs: table saw, jigsaw, etc. Incredible space saver.

I also built a moveable workbench, 2x4, with 12 full size full extension
ball-bearing drawers (4+" high, ~24 wide/24 deep) for all the tools and tooling
I have.

And of course, plenty of shelves.

Now one prolly wonder how all the gear fits into modest size garage .
The answer is: very comfortably ! Most of the floor space is wide open.


Executive summary: HF rules ! :D
 
Way too much stuff to take pics of :)

I just posted pics of adding power feed to mini-lathe.
My HMG and oven were also posted, a while back.

Now I gotta go and rewire the HF's 1HP motor that I mated
with the Craftsman BS for 240v. Got some paddle 15A 240V
switches from surpluscenter.com ($.60 per), along with gear
motor I used for the power feed.
 
Sounds like a great set up. I like the idea of replacing motors to get things up to snuff. I have a Sears Craftsman Drill Press, that has turned out to be a quality piece of equip. It would be better if I replaced the chuck with a better quality one, but so far it has done what I need it do, trouble free. I have a HF 1-1/2 HP bench grinder, 10 IN wheels. It has the sealed cast iron housing like the Baldors, cools by absorbtion and radiation. I cant feel any shake in it after at least six years ( I can't remember exactly when I aquired the thing.) Some HF stuff is only marginal, but some of it is pretty darn good. My wife has a Ryobi :thumbup: "dremel" type tool that we got at HF. It has been very good also,, much better than the D. :thumbdn: brand she wore out in no time.
 
you batard..........mine is coming down! :D

I need to order a nwe building next week.

Sounds great what you have parner!
 
"Home-built heat-treating oven. State-of-the-art digitally controlled 240V design. Goes to 1800F in minutes, reaches 2000F or may be even higher. (posted the how-to on Web)"

Where on the web is the how-to posted?
Thank you
 
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