A kind of big thing happened these last couple weeks and our little family is now one member larger! So we're taking a short break to enjoy (and adjust to) our new little one.
I'm planning to have some form of Patron exclusive content in a couple weeks but until then take a gander at some of these other creators I've been watching lately (that you maybe haven't heard of). Feel free to comment some of your own!
Out with the old and in with the new. I'm finally making a more camera appropriate set of soft jaws for the lathe. But whatever you do, don't ask me how long they took to make.
Enjoy!
2023-08-31 14:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
So I decided to make one of those old machinists' captive nut puzzles. But of course I couldn't resist putting my own spin on it! 14 pieces should get you guessing at the solution 😉
Enjoy!
2023-08-17 14:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
You have Q's I have A's. Let's answer some more questions!
Enjoy! (video link)
2023-08-03 14:01:01 +0000 UTC View PostLet the questions flow! I'm loosely thinking about incorporating some updates on past projects so if you have any questions specific to those drop them below as well! Not limited to 1 question per person. The more the merrier!
2023-07-28 14:16:37 +0000 UTC View Post
With the whirlwind of projects lately I've been neglecting a few big issues with my milling machine. But I've had enough! Time for some fixes and upgrades.
2023-07-20 14:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post
Saving the best for last on this one. In the final installment of the rotary fixture build that got way out of hand I'm taking on a design that well... to be honest, I have no idea will work 😂 But there's only on way to find out!
Enjoy!
2023-07-06 13:07:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's the moment you have all been waiting for. With the big stuff knocked out, I'm tackling all the little bits that make this rotary fixture plate all the more awesomer.
Enjoy!
2023-06-22 14:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
You saw me design it last time, so now it's time for the build. The quick change radius fixture is officially underway and let's just say, things got a little sticky 😉
Enjoy!
2023-06-08 14:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
As a result of not insignificant of scope creep, this next project grew to a bit more than 1 video would do justice. So I took it as an opportunity to answer a lot of the drafting related questions and just generally share my drawing process. Oh... and enjoy some pizza of course.
Enjoy!
2023-05-25 14:01:00 +0000 UTC View Post
This week I'm tying up a bit of a loose end and finally making a set of hold down clamps for the fixture plate. Never mind the fact that I have yet to actually use use the fixture plate... but I do have another project coming up that could also use some hold downs. So this is a "twofer" of sorts. And if I'm going to spend the time making them, might as well go the fancy route.
2023-05-11 14:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Thank you so much to all the patrons who asked questions! You guys had some really good ones. This Q&A was great fun, and we'll definitely be doing more in the future. And make sure you stick around to the end for some bloopers!
2023-04-27 14:01:00 +0000 UTC View PostQuestions! Questions! I need questions! We're putting together a Patron's only Q&A video, so what would you like to know? NOT limited to 1 question per person, so let them fly!
2023-04-16 15:08:05 +0000 UTC View Post
What do you get when you cross an engineer with a wannabe toolmaker? A lot of over-complicated solutions to problems that probably didn't need solving. But sometimes those solutions end up being useful. At least that's what I'm gonna tell myself!
2023-04-13 14:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Bought as a "build your own clock" kit for my great grandfather in the 1980's, legend has it that he never got it running before he passed away. So it sat abandoned in pieces for 30 years attracting dust, as well as great interest from a young boy who loved all things mechanical. Well now that young boy is all grown up and has a machine shop. So let's see if I can bring this beauty to life!
2023-03-30 14:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
After using these machines for over a year I've built up a lengthy list of improvements I'd like to make to them. So in this video I'm taking on a couple problems that have bugged me the most on the lathe. One is a revisit of a past "upgrade" while the other turned out to be more important that I originally thought!
2023-03-16 14:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Buy cheap, buy twice... or if you have a machine shop, make your own! I made the mistake of buying the cheapest slitting saw arbor on the market. And I got what I paid for. So I tried my hand at making a version that perfectly meets my needs. And let's just say it's not as straightforward as you might think...
2023-03-02 15:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
After a year of filming, and 29 videos. I've had enough... Enough of my TRIPOD! Constantly messing with all the levers, toggles, legs and whatnot has really been gnawing at my sanity. So I went all out and made a ceiling mounted, 2 axis gantry with a 6 foot, spring balanced, articulating arm that can reach literally every corner of my shop from floor to ceiling. And I don't know what took me so long. I'm never looking back!
I needed a "quick and easy" project after that last build and this was definitely not that... But it does have a little bit of everything. Drafting, chamfers, side projects, and, regrettably, visit(s) to the B.O.S...
2023-02-02 15:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Round 2 for the knurling tool build finishing up the feed pressure assembly and taking this bad boy for test drive. And let's just say there's going to be a lot more knurling in my future!
Link to the Hemingway Kit I'm using
2023-01-19 15:00:01 +0000 UTC View Post
I'm ringing in the new year with a much needed knurling tool upgrade! A very kind Patron named Erik noticed my troubles with my current knurling setup and sent along one of those great Hemingway Kits to build and up my game. This will be the first of 2 parts, though at the going rate of this video it might take more 😉 But I'm still optimistic. Thanks again, Erik!
Link to the Hemingway Kit I'm using
... 2023-01-05 15:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
In a first for my shop I'm taking on some parts that aren't actually for me. But I wouldn't exactly call it commission work. The Formula SAE team I was a part of back in college was in need of some help, so I was more than happy to oblige! They've entrusted me with making their front wheel spindles.
2022-12-22 15:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
In the ever expanding quest to have the right tool for every job, this build should hopefully cross off many items from that list. Here I'll make a mini pallet system that, in theory, should give numerous mounting options for different parts. Infinite, some might say!
2022-12-08 15:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Everybody loves a good fly cutter build. But for this one I couldn't resist putting my own spin on it (pun intended). Sure it's BIG, but is the little things that make this cool!
2022-11-24 15:01:00 +0000 UTC View Post
This video I'm tackling yet another project that has uses beyond just being another tool in the machine shop. It's a wallet! Kind of a weird thing to machine, but I've been itching to make one of these low profile designs myself and have been looking for an excuse to engraving some elaborate patterns on something. Join me for some good old fashioned drafting design and manual machining goodness.
2022-11-10 15:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post
Back to the regularly scheduled programming of making machinist tools, I'm tackling an old favorite. The machinist jack. The concept comes from a very generous viewer who allowed me share his idea on the channel. And it was a perfect match for my current lack of machinist jacks, but also for my normal over-complicated style. But it's not all for nothing. From what I can tell this is a revolutionary design. So join me as I bring this new idea to life!
As typical for a hobby machinist, most of my projects revolve around making more tools for my shop. It can honestly be a never ending cycle. But every once in a while it's necessary to break out of the loop and make something that's not for the shop at all. I once made a bolt action pen as a gift and to this date it's one of my favorite creations. For 8 long years I've waited for an opportunity to finally make one for myself. And now the time has come!
This one's been a long time coming. I'm finally taking care of my lack of quick chance tool post holders and more than doubling my collection. I think it will be a while before I have to re-mount a tool!
2022-09-29 14:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
The final hurdle of this rotary chuck process was creating some pretty complex cams. Not only did these have a critical eccentric section in the middle, but they also had a square hole in the end. Let me just say, making those holes was a heck of an adventure.
P.S. The drawings for this project were linked in a previous post, so scroll back a bit if you want to check them out!
2022-09-15 14:01:02 +0000 UTC View Post
The last video was all about the design, which was fun and all, but making it is a lot more fun! This video I take on the D1-5 cam-lock style rotary chuck adapter. And learn a few hard lessons along the way. It's the recovery that counts though, right?
2022-09-01 14:00:10 +0000 UTC View Post