New tool thread

Exactly, sometimes to do what you have to do. I still have a ground down small socket ( i cant remember the size, maybe 5.5mm, i cant tell, its ground off.) that i ground down to remove saturn steering wheel parts. I bet @The_Jeff probably has one too !

In hindsight a 26mm socket has almost never been needed for the hobby stuff I do, hydraulic engineers I guess wanted someone to have a little trouble. My tractor is brand new machine now with upgrades. Thank you Tekton.

IMG_8364.webp
 
I bought this old thing recently but not sure how it would do on a hard socket.

View attachment 324942
Nice machine. IIRC my brother has a South Bend lathe, bigger than what's pictured here. He turned down the socket for me over 30 years ago, it took no time at all. He's quite skilled with it, and has made some very impressive things with it over the years.
 
Last edited:
Nice machine. IIRC my brother has a South Bend lathe, bigger than what's pictured here. He turned down the socket for me over 30 years ago, it took no time at all. He's quite skilled with it, and has made some very impressive things with it over the years.
I was definitely looking for a South Bend for a few years, I believe it was the model 9A. They are nearly $2k to $3k in good shape ready to go. This Atlas popped up locally for $400 including the milling attachment which is worth that amount alone. I am just learning. This uses gears to adjust the feed rate unlike a South Bend with the quick change gearbox but I was able to find some STL files to 3D print gears out of ABS and they work fine since there is not really any load on the carriage.

The milling attachment is not very stiff but works in a pinch.

Lathe2.webp
 
I was definitely looking for a South Bend for a few years, I believe it was the model 9A. They are nearly $2k to $3k in good shape ready to go. This Atlas popped up locally for $400 including the milling attachment which is worth that amount alone. I am just learning. This uses gears to adjust the feed rate unlike a South Bend with the quick change gearbox but I was able to find some STL files to 3D print gears out of ABS and they work fine since there is not really any load on the carriage.

The milling attachment is not very stiff but works in a pinch.

View attachment 325056
That's a nice machine for the price! Enjoy it!!!!
 
Saker PEX-A expansion tool. It was about $70. It’s good quality and put together several fittings. it is not an easy tool to use unless you pre plan what you are going to do, and use leverage with your entire body pressing down on something. It’s best to build the small things first, such as the manifold shown, then the final fitting to the main line.

I believe a more expensive Kobalt, Dewalt or Milwaukee would make this irrelevant. I am going to invest in a Dewalt someday but it’s low on the priority list.

IMG_8480.webp
 
Back
Top Bottom