Recent content by DJP

I forgot to mention Cosmoline which is the military version of protection for metal. It's hard to remove after 50 years of storage so maybe not the best for machines that need to run when power is applied. Cosmoline is available in commercial quantities but I prefer modern sprays like Maxi-coat...

I skip the medical benefits and use LOCTITE Maxi-coat when I need corrosion protection on automobiles. It's similar to the factory coating used on BMW cars. Our vehicles sit outdoors in all weather so I look for proven commercial products first. Just a suggestion for your consideration.

It's nice to see a new machine showing up on this forum. Restorations can save money for the home hobbyist but I wonder of we are giving up more than we gain.

Kerosene and Automatic Transmission Fluid is my home brew lube for cleaning and rust protection.

If you are downsizing to a 4 inch Kurt type consider buying two. Long work pieces supported at the ends of the table is a useful way to clamp effectively. As stated... keep the 6 inch as you never know when a bigger mill becomes available. You can't have too much clamping force when milling, in...

The T slot filler looks nice but I don't see the value. It's a machine and quick access to the slots is part of the design. A paint brush cleans out the slots well enough so I'm keeping my T slots naked.

Look for other similar fences in your area for guidance. We set SONO tubes of concrete into the soil so that they are below the frost level which may not be a concern for you. I would consider using stainless square tubing as any steel posts at ground level will rust out quickly. I assume you...

Watch for a reduced price sale on Bi-Metal (HSS) blades and buy a few. They have an infinite shelf life and when you need a fresh one it's nice to have them handy so that the project doesn't stop. I lubricate my blade with a squirt of WD40 while it is running. This might be VooDoo magic but I...

I have the classic Horizontal/Vertical 4 inch X 6 inch Metal Bandsaw with 64 1/2 inch bi metal blade. It has cut a lot of stock over the past 30 years and it is still working fine. It's easy to store when not in use.

I have a Bridgeport J Head and no problems with any R8 collets.

I hate to be the one asking this question but what are your plans once your shop is fully set up? Will you start a welding repair business? Any plans for subcontracting small welding jobs as piece work? Your equipment may have excessive productivity for a home workshop. As another project...

I have found that tack welding both sides eliminates the heat distortion. It's tempting with a jig or table clamps to weld the entire facing surface which introduces heat warping that even the strongest clamps won't prevent. Tack welding, then flipping the piece over and checking for square...

I agree about the benefits of dry heat. We had a stainless box heater on our 37 foot ketch and after a wet ride it was nice to make a fire and dry out while other sailors rushed to the clubhouse for comfort.

It looks as if the die is dull. Perhaps some cutting fluid will help. I use Chroma Tap but I'm sure that guys on this forum have their favourite cutting fluid for brass. When wrapped in teflon tape I'm sure that your thread will hold and not leak.

At our local COSTCO they sell reading glasses in multipacks. One selection is to compensate for blue spectrum light from computer screens. They essentially are light amber glass so there must be a problem for people who spend long periods at a computer screen. I know that LED bulbs can be...