Distractions

[Spike188]

If a rock had not sheared the center blade key on my RM60 deck, a Saturday afternoon would not have been wasted chasing key stock. Oh well, at least it was and adventure.

[Eugen]

Did you find the right size key?

[Spike188]

I made an assumption that the key was 1/4" instead of measuring it. Wrong, the old one measured 0.194". I milled the 1/4" key to make an exact fit.

I am glad I made the mistake on my own time and not on someone else's.

[Eugen]

Proof that it can happen to the best of us. On a moment of weakness I got a box of popular key sizes from Princess Auto, when I lost only one key. Mostly because when you don't have that one key that you need, it's so frustrating. A milling machine is one of those devices I keep on drooling over. Tools, tools, tools...

[Toolslinger]

A milling machine is one of those devices I keep on drooling over. Tools, tools, tools...

I have found that machine tools are pretty cheap... Tooling for them on the other hand...

My Kurt vise cost more than both my Bridgeports, and a 14.5 South Bend put together...
I sold the lathe, and one of the mills, (still arguing with myself about the other Bridgeport) but you can bet I kept all the tooling.

[Spike188]

I agree with @Toolslinger about the cost of owning cutting equipment. The bulk of my business is repairing cutting edge making equipment. Even with customers willing to give me abreak on tooling, the cost adds up quickly.

[Eugen]

A milling machine is one of those devices I keep on drooling over. Tools, tools, tools...

I have found that machine tools are pretty cheap... Tooling for them on the other hand...

My Kurt vise cost more than both my Bridgeports, and a 14.5 South Bend put together...
I sold the lathe, and one of the mills, (still arguing with myself about the other Bridgeport) but you can bet I kept all the tooling.

Average price for a Bridgeport around here is 2-3000. Can't justify getting one for the type of stuff I do.

[RoamingGnome]

If a rock had not sheared the center blade key on my RM60 deck, a Saturday afternoon would not have been wasted chasing key stock. Oh well, at least it was and adventure.

Nice distraction @Spike188 I used to love watching Heli-Cranes when I was working in BC - working on a machine in the middle of nowhere and being surprised by a helicopter popping up from behind a ridge with a couple of hydro poles dangling underneath - here in downtown Hamilton the only helicopters we see on a regular basis are the Ornge medivac helicopters going to one of the local hospitals - that always makes me sad... it's never a good thing when they bundle you up for a flight on one of those...

[Harry]

I had a small Atlas mill and didn’t use it much. Paid $500 sold it for $1200 nice profit for the tractor fund. Harry