Kicking myself.

Fullers Farmalls · Nov 16, 2014

I use to work in a machine shop. It was a summer job, my dad started working there full time the same summer. They closed about a year ago and he was in charge of getting everything out. The owners were selling the old machinery and tools to people who worked there. Looking back I could've had a Bridgeport for a $1000. Great shape, old but good. Never even gave it a second thought as I was thinking what would I need it for and where would I put it. Well now I see that I could use it to make just about anything I wanted. Stupid me. Oh well. Life goes on.

Dr. Walt · Nov 16, 2014

I don't know how true it is, but I've heard several times that a Lathe is the only tool that can duplicate itself.

:>)

Fullers Farmalls · Nov 16, 2014

Couldve had one of those too. It was the coolest thing. Made in 1903. Big, old, and loud. Was fitted with an old Ford truck transmission to allow more speeds. It worked like a charm too.

JMS/.MN · Nov 16, 2014

Similar to one of mine- 1910 South Bend 13 x 72, gear change. Bought 1968 for $850. Machine tools are so cheap now with many plants closed. Recently bought an 18 x 8 foot bed for $975, Milwaukee horiz mill w/ vert attachment for $300.

jeffcat · Nov 16, 2014

MAN do I ever HATE..."coulda, shoulda, woulda.!!!!!!!!!! Been there tooooo many times myself.

Ian Beale · Nov 16, 2014

A line up of lathes here

http://www.vannattabros.com/lathe.html

Plus other mechanical goodies on other pages - like this

http://www.vannattabros.com/dozer.html

Mike M · Nov 17, 2014

I have heard that the milling machine is the one that can duplicate itself.

DLMKA · Nov 17, 2014

Problem with a lot of the industrial machinery is that it is 3-phase so you either need 3-phase power in your shop or a converter. Not sure what it takes to repower a 3-phase machine with a single phase motor.

ss55 · Nov 17, 2014

Variable speed DC drives are a popular upgrade to older machine tools.

Dick2 · Nov 17, 2014

Kicking yourself is not good, but it is better than having someone else kick you!

My wife will see something in the grocery store and say: "That is a good deal" - and then she'll buy ONE. I tell her that if it really is a good deal, buy lots of it!

Sometime I pass up a deal and then later wish that I hadn't, but somehow it all works out in the end and we all survive as long as we can.

slowfolk · Nov 18, 2014

You can mount a milling attachment to a lathe

Kicking myself.

Fullers Farmalls

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Dr. Walt

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Fullers Farmalls

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JMS/.MN

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jeffcat

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Ian Beale

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Mike M

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DLMKA

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ss55

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Dick2

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slowfolk

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