Getting my shop set up

[LaOtto222]

I am getting my shop set up.

I now have a small mill with a 32" X 9" table (23 1/2" X 7" travel) with power feed from Grizzly. I welded up the mill stand with a Hobart 140 MIG welder that I acquired a while back. The Lathe is a South Bend 10K with a 4 1/2' bed. I have some basic tooling for both. I do want to get an index table for the mill and a follow rest for the 10K. I will be able to do some small gunsmith jobs for myself. I am not interested in doing anything for any one else, just a hobby for myself. I am kinda pumped about getting my shop to a point of being able to most anything I want to do.

[AtlLaw]

DROOL!!!

[LaOtto222]

AtlLaw - you sure have a way with words Here is another picture of the shop.... er garage




A better picture of the stand and mill

[Rodland]

Yep, AtlLaw said it all. 

[DEACONLLB]

Nice looking shop however I dont see a table saw or Router table to make your own gun stocks
Deaconllb

[LaOtto222]

I have not decided to get into stock making yet, that is whole 'nother color of horse. I have given it some thought. I have refinished and finished stocks. I have also made furniture and I do have a table saw, a small router table, drill press and wood lathe along with power hand tools like routers, portable saws, electric drills, battery powered drills, portable planer, Dremel tool, etc. However, I do not have a band saw (handy for cutting rough outline of stock). That will come one day. I am turning 60 at the end of the month and am trying to get all my toys before I retire. I have been doing wood working for a lot of years, and always wanted to get into metal working, but the cost was always prohibitive. I had a 1972 SB 10K fall into my lap for $400.00 with a bunch of tooling. That got me started. I got the Hobart and now I have got a mill too. Retirement is not going to be boring.

[gunnut69]

I second the drool!! Especially the cleanliness of the thing.. how can you stand it!! All kidding aside you've a really nice setup there..

[Gaz-52]

                 Looking good for many enjoyable hours "tinkerin" in your retirement. The power feed on your mill would be a big plus ,wish I had one on mine at times. A mans workshop/shed is his castle no doubt about it .

[AtlLaw]

Okay, everybody stop responding to this thread!      It keeps putting temptation in my path!      I have to keep telling myself "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's mill and lathe..." BUT I DO!! I do...   

[smokehouserex]

 
 
  Hello LA:
  I'm new to the site and seen your shop while looking through the threads, I thought someone had rearranged my little shop(The Smokehouse). My equipment is very similar to yours, however, I have Miller welders, a millermatic200 and a ac/dc small miller buzz box.
  My  mill is an old enco, my lathe is a 12" atlas, about 33" between centers. My mill stand looks almost exactly like yours but your welding is probably better than mine. Had my stuff since early 80's, just a hobbist, nothing fancy.
  I enjoyed your posts.
  safety first
  HM

[LaOtto222]

Not sure about who's welding is better. That stand is my first project. The first time building something. Up to this point, I just did repairs. I just lay on a lot of weld and grind it down, give it a coat or two of paint. I am thinking very strongly about making a trailer for my 25 HP diesel utility tractor.

Miller welders are good. In fact I think my Hobart is a Miller under the skin. The welding handle that came with mine says Miller on it!

I have since wired the Mill for 220v and added some heavy duty casters to it. That is so I can roll it out or back to get it out of the way easily. I am thinking about doing the same for the Lathe, the casters that is. The ol' shop is shaping up

Good Luck and Good Shooting
 

[mrbigtexan]

i strongly recommend making your mill level before doing any work with it.

[LaOtto222]

i strongly recommend making your mill level before doing any work with it.

Thank You for the advice. I do have leveling "feet" on the stand I built. Since this picture was taken, I have replaced the leveling bolts/rubber cups with double casters that are lockable and adjustable for leveling, enclosed the stand and added a storage shelf. I also leveled the lathe before I turned it on. It had no provisions for leveling when I got it. I seriously doubt it was ever leveled from the day it was bought in 1972.

The power feed on the mill is really slick for long cuts. When I have a long cut to make, I just set the feed rate, adjust the cutter height, table position and turn it on. It travels through the work piece very easily. If I have to stop at a certain place, I adjust the stop so it quits, just short and finish by hand.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[LaOtto222]

I just took an updated picture of the Mill. I have rewired it for 220 Volts, enclosed the stand, added adjustable/lockable caster wheels. I ran 220 to the back wall and jumped off 4 - 110 plug-ins to run the power feed and extra lighting. Not shown in the picture, I have also added a 6" rotary table with dividing plates and a tail stock to my fixture assortment. I think I am pretty well done with it. It sure makes working on it a pleasure. Before I re-wired it for 220, it would dim the lights in the house, every time it started up (it would pull 19 amps). That is no more now .

[oldandslow]

Getting the mill level goes for the lathe also.

That mill will do an excellent job of making gunstocks. I have a Jet mill & drill rig that I have used to do the majority of the work on several stocks. End mills, router bits, forstner bits, and regular drill bits will do almost all the work. It will take a little ingunity on some of your setups but it's basically like cutting metal. It makes a huge mess. A good shop vac is really handy.

[Alphawolf45]

   I like seeing a guy get setup with machines and a good bright place to work..I have built a few guns...I suggest you purchase a surface grinder..