This might be a little off topic for a machining group but I have a metal-working-related question that someone here might be able to provide some good information about. ?I recently came across an unused Compact Bender (floor model) at a price point that was way too good to pass on. ?I am looking to attach it to the floor of my garage using caulk-in anchors so I can set it up and take it down as needed. I have not used one of these benders before but I've watched quite a few videos. My question is about critical space around it. ?How close to the nearest wall would you get (figuring farther away is better but space is limited). In other words, what is the minimum amount of space you would recommend from any wall. And, which side do you feel can work with the least amount of space? I've got some thoughts on these things but wanted to see if anyone here has experience with one of these benders and has some thoughts about the initial setup.
The one I liked best was that simple piece of plate bent at one end and held in the bench vise. Simple and cheap, and does not take much space in the shop.?
My shop is in the basement utility room and if i gain any weight, i won't fit in there, so space is at a premium.?
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 11:59 PM, mike allen <animal@...> wrote:
Hey folks , I have this old Milwaukee porta band that has ben hanging out since i retired . It's a lot heavier that I remember them being . Have any of you come up with a bench or even a free standing setup that will let ya use a porta band like a cut off saw . I'm looking for ideas, pics , things that didn't work .
On Jan 7, 2025, at 10:59?PM, mike allen <animal@...> wrote:
?Hey folks , I have this old Milwaukee porta band that has ben hanging out since i retired . It's a lot heavier that I remember them being . Have any of you come up with a bench or even a free standing setup that will let ya use a porta band like a cut off saw . I'm looking for ideas, pics , things that didn't work .
Hey folks , I have this old Milwaukee porta band that has ben hanging out since i retired . It's a lot heavier that I remember them being . Have any of you come up with a bench or even a free standing setup that will let ya use a porta band like a cut off saw . I'm looking for ideas, pics , things that didn't work .
Originally, yes, but corrected to the clamp plate later.
Bill in OKC?
William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Aphorisms to live by:
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?
SEMPER GUMBY!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Physics doesn't care about your schedule. The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 06:40:57 AM CST, Brian Roberts via groups.io <bri7rob@...> wrote:
Drawing for the tailstock base....which IS what the OP asked for....unless I am mistaken?
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?
SEMPER GUMBY!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Physics doesn't care about your schedule. The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 05:34:46 AM CST, mondosmetals via groups.io <jwrey@...> wrote:
All there is for what? If you have the tools, you can build better and more complex tools. If you have the skills. The guys who started all this had files and hammers and chisels and saws. Now there are machines that can machine an entire engine block... and before that people learned to do quite a bit on their own.?
And there are books, magazines, and videos. That has not always been so. I've 3D printed gears that fit my Atlas lathe. I've made backplates, collet holders, way bars, milling tables, and parts for industrial machines to keep them running. Melted and cast parts in metal, and machined, forged, ground and filed bits and pieces to make and repair stuff. Worked as a mechanic, assembler, or technician on high performance fighter jets, racing go-karts, micro and main computers (missed the mini-computers), AV & photographic equipment, satellite and radio communications systems, home & industrial appliances and other machinery, and automobiles, boats, and bikes,? both pedal & motorized.?
Ebay is far from the only source, though it can be a good one.?
Bill in OKC?
William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Aphorisms to live by:
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?
SEMPER GUMBY!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Physics doesn't care about your schedule. The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 05:13:30 PM CST, Joel Rogers via groups.io <rogersjoel830@...> wrote:
On Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 2:59 PM Bill in OKC too via <wmrmeyers=[email protected]> wrote:
For future reference you can build an "oven" from firebrick to concentrate the heat from multiple torches. It's not impossible to find propane or acetylene torches that are airbreathers, like the Prestolyte and TurboTorches. Oxy-fuel torches for both gases are available, too. Initial cost can be high if you buy new, but you'd be surprised at all the things you can do and fix once you've bitten that bullet.?
I'm not a professional welder. More a "farm" welder, but I was taught by a very accomplished all-purpose welder. Just need more workspace, practice, and materials...
Hi! My name is Bill, and I'm a toolahaulic!?
Bill in OKC?
William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Aphorisms to live by:
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?
SEMPER GUMBY!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Physics doesn't care about your schedule. The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 12:21:55 PM CST, Allen Underdown via <allen=[email protected]> wrote:
Youngest is a professional welder - he said it would be a PITA as small as it is.
I also don't have anything that generates enough heat to braze.
I figured if I couldn't find one I'd call Clausing.
Luckily, I went down to Shapiro's the other day and found some nice scrap 1x2 either hot rolled or forged bar stock. It's heavy as heck. ;)
Milling one from ruler measurements wouldn't be difficult. That way I can get it back to a point that allows me to use the tailstock.
Allen Underdown allen@... Sent from my mobile device.
On Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 2:59 PM Bill in OKC too via <wmrmeyers=[email protected]> wrote:
For future reference you can build an "oven" from firebrick to concentrate the heat from multiple torches. It's not impossible to find propane or acetylene torches that are airbreathers, like the Prestolyte and TurboTorches. Oxy-fuel torches for both gases are available, too. Initial cost can be high if you buy new, but you'd be surprised at all the things you can do and fix once you've bitten that bullet.?
I'm not a professional welder. More a "farm" welder, but I was taught by a very accomplished all-purpose welder. Just need more workspace, practice, and materials...
Hi! My name is Bill, and I'm a toolahaulic!?
Bill in OKC?
William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Aphorisms to live by:
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?
SEMPER GUMBY!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Physics doesn't care about your schedule. The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 12:21:55 PM CST, Allen Underdown via <allen=[email protected]> wrote:
Youngest is a professional welder - he said it would be a PITA as small as it is.
I also don't have anything that generates enough heat to braze.
I figured if I couldn't find one I'd call Clausing.
Luckily, I went down to Shapiro's the other day and found some nice scrap 1x2 either hot rolled or forged bar stock. It's heavy as heck. ;)
Milling one from ruler measurements wouldn't be difficult. That way I can get it back to a point that allows me to use the tailstock.
Allen Underdown allen@... Sent from my mobile device.
For future reference you can build an "oven" from firebrick to concentrate the heat from multiple torches. It's not impossible to find propane or acetylene torches that are airbreathers, like the Prestolyte and TurboTorches. Oxy-fuel torches for both gases are available, too. Initial cost can be high if you buy new, but you'd be surprised at all the things you can do and fix once you've bitten that bullet.?
I'm not a professional welder. More a "farm" welder, but I was taught by a very accomplished all-purpose welder. Just need more workspace, practice, and materials...
Hi! My name is Bill, and I'm a toolahaulic!?
Bill in OKC?
William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Aphorisms to live by:
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?
SEMPER GUMBY!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Physics doesn't care about your schedule. The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 12:21:55 PM CST, Allen Underdown via groups.io <allen@...> wrote:
Youngest is a professional welder - he said it would be a PITA as small as it is.
I also don't have anything that generates enough heat to braze.
I figured if I couldn't find one I'd call Clausing.
Luckily, I went down to Shapiro's the other day https://www.shapirosupply.com/ and found some nice scrap 1x2 either hot rolled or forged bar stock. It's heavy as heck. ;)
Milling one from ruler measurements wouldn't be difficult. That way I can get it back to a point that allows me to use the tailstock.
Allen Underdown allen@... Sent from my mobile device.
Youngest is a professional welder - he said it would be a PITA as small as it is.
I also don't have anything that generates enough heat to braze.
I figured if I couldn't find one I'd call Clausing.
Luckily, I went down to Shapiro's the other day https://www.shapirosupply.com/ and found some nice scrap 1x2 either hot rolled or forged bar stock. It's heavy as heck. ;)
Milling one from ruler measurements wouldn't be difficult. That way I can get it back to a point that allows me to use the tailstock.
Allen Underdown allen@... Sent from my mobile device.
Also, cast iron is not too difficult to braze. If it's not in too many parts. Forney makes a nickle-based brazing rod if you want a slightly better color match, and brass brazing rod will work. Properly done brazed joints are not quite as strong as the base metal, but should work.?
Can also be welded with special weld rod for cast iron. That's supposed to be more difficult, but also stronger if done correctly.?
I've done a bunch of brass brazing over the years (for a hobbyist) and clean surfaces, a good flux and enough heat are keys to getting it right.?
Bill in OKC?
William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Aphorisms to live by:
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?
SEMPER GUMBY!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Physics doesn't care about your schedule. The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 11:07:05 AM CST, Bill in OKC too via groups.io <wmrmeyers@...> wrote:
I'm betting it would be a LOT cheaper to make your own from some mild steel. Don't see one on ebay right now, but there's a photo of the clamp plate in this complete tailstock:??https://www.ebay.com/itm/156345978749?
You don't have to copy it exactly, either.? A flat plate with a bit of? all thread located in? should let you use your tailstock.?
If you're a collector rather than a machine tool user, it would at least let you display the thing while you search for the right parts.?
Might also ask Clausing if they have the part? If not they'll often release the drawing. There are several threads here that give contact info for them.?
Bill in OKC?
William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Aphorisms to live by:
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?
SEMPER GUMBY!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Physics doesn't care about your schedule. The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10:00:33 AM CST, Allen Underdown via groups.io <allen@...> wrote:
I posted this on the 618 group a couple of days ago with minimal responses. Posting here since I think the group is bigger and more active.
-----
In electronics you have the magic smoke, with cast iron you have the magic crack sound.
Anybody know where I can find a bottom tailstock M6-7 replacement for a 618? Fleabay didn't turn up anything.
I could mill one, but I'd really like to keep it original.
Allen
Allen Underdown allen@... Sent from my mobile device.