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My mentor was a precision machinist before he retired, a career that included making objects flown in the Apollo program. I am not sure he is at all comfortable with anything less than .001" or so. If he is asked for a backing plate of approximately 2"x3", it is probably going to end up well...

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question here. I had not thought about the expense of granite, I am lucky enough to have family connections to a manufacturer/resurfacer, and have several small surface plates flat on all sides. If I have an epiphany or learn of a quicker, reliable tramming...

On my table saw, there is a little adjustable stop so that when you tilt the blade assembly, then return it to square, it stops at the right place. How square that is depends on how much work you are willing to put into setting it up initially. That concept would not translate readily to the...

I finally got to ask my mentor about this. He said his best method is to lay a granite surface plate on the bed, and indicate in a circle with a collet-mounted horizontal beam. I guess the longer the beam the more accurate, until the weight and flex of the beam overcomes accuracy gained by...

The mill I have is a bridgeport clone from Taiwan, from when they seemed to be making pretty good machines. My problem, when I use the head to make cuts with complex angles. then have to return to return the unit back to square with the table. Today, I noticed it seemed a bit odd, so I...

I guess it goes to how you want to spend your time. You could, as I have sometimes done, make your own brass and other alloys. I did it on some projects just because I wanted to, but I now only do it if I need alloys that are very expensive or unavailable. Frankly, it seems pointless to spend...

My 16x40 in similar condition cost about $500.00. I admit I got a deal, but 8k seems like what you would pay for a whole suite of used tools.

I have been following your progress with admiration. Wonderful work. Now that the small-scale test version is complete, you can start on the 1:1 version. I will be happy to build the chassis, and we can be the envy of the country. /s

Clever. Also, you made me buy another book.

I had a similar experience. I finished overhauling my new (to me) mill, hooked up a chinesium VFD, and had the same hum. I tried running wires from the good Hitachi VFD on my lathe to the mill motor, and it worked great. I ended up rigging a switch to a couple of magnetic relays to let me...