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Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 3:03 am
by Wambli Ska
Justsomedude wrote: ↑Wed May 28, 2025 1:06 am
Japhy wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 8:58 pm
Probably better off to send JSD regular projects and $
After that job on the revolver that was 0.006 out I would say he easily is at the master machinist level.
First off, I appreciate the hell out of this compliment, and
Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 10:35 pm
Oh he ABSOLUTELY IS!!!!! I just want to be able to do one-off projects that are, to be frank, beneath him, and not use his time on my silly poop that will put him behind schedule from his real customers.
There's nothing beneath me, (except cleaning guns, God how I do hate cleaning guns

.) But seriously, I love any job but especially machining jobs. Feel free to send them my way. I always manage to fit in projects, jobs, etc...
Oh don't get me wrong, I have plenty of stuff I need your skills on like 2-4 S&W Blue guns that need your polishing/bluing artwork magic for starters. I'd just feel silly interrupting your day to just do a barrel threading and crowning.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 4:25 am
by Justsomedude
I've crowned and threaded more barrels than I care to remember but it's still something that I enjoy doing. There's just something about making metal shiny and uniform with machine tools that's addicting!
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 4:26 am
by Justsomedude
GrapeApe wrote: ↑Wed May 28, 2025 1:33 am
Justsomedude wrote: ↑Wed May 28, 2025 1:06 am
<snip>
First off, I appreciate the hell out of this compliment, and
<snip>
There's nothing beneath me, (except cleaning guns, God how I do hate cleaning guns

.) But seriously, I love any job but especially machining jobs. Feel free to send them my way. I always manage to fit in projects, jobs, etc...
Depending on
"Things" I might have a project for you
Wink wink

Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 5:51 am
by GrapeApe
I "assume" you can cut internal and external threads on aluminium, as the Kiwis say it
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 5:55 am
by GrapeApe
Plus I have a 24" Contender bull bbl that needs re-crowning, some 5/8x24 threads and maybe ~4" removed
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 10:10 pm
by Justsomedude
GrapeApe wrote: ↑Wed May 28, 2025 5:51 am
I "assume" you can cut internal and external threads on aluminium, as the Kiwis say it
Absolutely. I can thread a piece of lumber if you want

Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 3:11 am
by Japhy
I have recurring fits believing i need a milling machine. ill be working on some one off relatively simple project. If its too complex it usually means the design needs more work and i dont need a mill. A few times i have had a local shop machine a piece and grumble at the price but it always costs far far less than a bottom end milling machine and the basic tools and accessories
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 4:20 am
by CPJ 2.0
Japhy wrote: ↑Thu May 29, 2025 3:11 am
I have recurring fits believing i need a milling machine. ill be working on some one off relatively simple project. If its too complex it usually means the design needs more work and i dont need a mill. A few times i have had a local shop machine a piece and grumble at the price but it always costs far far less than a bottom end milling machine and the basic tools and accessories
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 11:33 pm
by Justsomedude
Japhy wrote: ↑Thu May 29, 2025 3:11 am
I have recurring fits believing i need a milling machine. ill be working on some one off relatively simple project. If its too complex it usually means the design needs more work and i dont need a mill. A few times i have had a local shop machine a piece and grumble at the price but it always costs far far less than a bottom end milling machine and the basic tools and accessories
I understand that, BUT it's life changing when you realize how much the world opens up when you're no longer limited by being able to do a multitude of things whether it be by machine tools or welding, fabricating, etc... Of course that's easy for a person to say who's already heavily invested in all of those things lol.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Fri May 30, 2025 12:24 am
by CPJ 2.0
Japhy wrote: ↑Thu May 29, 2025 3:11 am
I have recurring fits believing i need a milling machine. ill be working on some one off relatively simple project. If its too complex it usually means the design needs more work and i dont need a mill. A few times i have had a local shop machine a piece and grumble at the price but it always costs far far less than a bottom end milling machine and the basic tools and accessories
Since the internet ate my last post…
It’s not about the money, it’s about the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Machining is a hobby, just like any other.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Fri May 30, 2025 3:13 am
by Japhy
I build radios, antennas, audio equipment, metal detectors and sundry other electronic items. Some projects require specialized enclosures and/or panels the antennas require special fittings, coil forms, and brackets both conductive and insulated.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Fri May 30, 2025 1:59 pm
by CPJ 2.0
Japhy wrote: ↑Fri May 30, 2025 3:13 am
I build radios, antennas, audio equipment, metal detectors and sundry other electronic items. Some projects require specialized enclosures and/or panels the antennas require special fittings, coil forms, and brackets both conductive and insulated.
Funny story, a friend of mine is an antenna designer by trade. He ended up with a shop full of machine tools to make parts for antennas etc.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Fri May 30, 2025 9:38 pm
by Japhy
CPJ, thats not helping me overcome my milling machine obsession! While Im reading specs for a new Jet mill and about ready to grab the tape measure to see it will fit!!
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Fri May 30, 2025 11:00 pm
by CPJ 2.0
Japhy wrote: ↑Fri May 30, 2025 9:38 pm
CPJ, thats not helping me overcome my milling machine obsession! While Im reading specs for a new Jet mill and about ready to grab the tape measure to see it will fit!!
If it makes you feel better, he has a Bridgeport mill, a CNC mill, and a CNC lathe.
And a CNC surface grinder but that’s not for electronic stuff.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Fri May 30, 2025 11:02 pm
by CPJ 2.0
But, his actual job, the bread and butter, is an antenna designer. So, they are tax write offs.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Fri May 30, 2025 11:13 pm
by Wambli Ska
CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Fri May 30, 2025 11:02 pm
But, his actual job, the bread and butter, is an antenna designer. So, they are tax write offs.
Hummmmmm, yeah…. Time to start another company

Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Sat May 31, 2025 4:10 pm
by Japhy
I learned the very rudimentary basics with a Bridgeport mill - a monster! I am going to have to contain my expectations to something that will fit into my workspace, fit my budget, and operate on available power.
antenna design is a high voodoo black art spanning the gamut of electrical physics, electrical engineering, and implemented mechanically. It requires a rare skill set.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Sat May 31, 2025 4:52 pm
by Diver43
Japhy wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 4:10 pm
I learned the very rudimentary basics with a Bridgeport mill - a monster! I am going to have to contain my expectations to something that will fit into my workspace, fit my budget, and operate on available power.
antenna design is a high voodoo black art spanning the gamut of electrical physics, electrical engineering, and implemented mechanically. It requires a rare skill set.
And I thought you just straightened a coat hanger, put tin foil on the tip and stuck the other end in the hole labeled antenna

Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 3:21 am
by PFD45
Diver43 wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 4:52 pm
Japhy wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 4:10 pm
I learned the very rudimentary basics with a Bridgeport mill - a monster! I am going to have to contain my expectations to something that will fit into my workspace, fit my budget, and operate on available power.
antenna design is a high voodoo black art spanning the gamut of electrical physics, electrical engineering, and implemented mechanically. It requires a rare skill set.
And I thought you just straightened a coat hanger, put tin foil on the tip and stuck the other end in the hole labeled antenna
Tin foil worked for our RCA in the '70s.

Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 3:48 am
by rberg
TV antenna, coat hanger antenna wire and tin foil wrapped around wire to run up and down for best reception.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 7:26 pm
by Justsomedude
I didn't realize there was so much involved with antennas until I started messing with HAM radio.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:39 pm
by CPJ 2.0
Justsomedude wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 7:26 pm
I didn't realize there was so much involved with antennas until I started messing with HAM radio.
I didn’t realize it till I met an antenna designer.
I see random antennas in the world, take pics and send them to him. Saw one on a water meter. It was SUPPOSED to be installed in the lid of the pit. It was inside the pit. Concrete with a metal lid. Sent it to him, asked him how it was supposed to work and he was laughing. He said “not very well. That’s not how I designed it to work. “
Then he sends me the patent with his name on it.
Talk about some random shtuff. Something I see on the regular and I ended up knowing the guy who designed it.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 10:13 pm
by Japhy
One astounding example is the Voyager spacecraft
They have been flying 47 years and some months
The one way time for radio signals to get to Voyager from Earth is just under 24 hours!
Voyagers transmit back to earth with a 20 watt transmitter! There are very good antennas on both ends or communication wouldnt happen.
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:40 am
by Justsomedude
CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:39 pm
Justsomedude wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 7:26 pm
I didn't realize there was so much involved with antennas until I started messing with HAM radio.
I didn’t realize it till I met an antenna designer.
I see random antennas in the world, take pics and send them to him. Saw one on a water meter. It was SUPPOSED to be installed in the lid of the pit. It was inside the pit. Concrete with a metal lid. Sent it to him, asked him how it was supposed to work and he was laughing. He said “not very well. That’s not how I designed it to work. “
Then he sends me the patent with his name on it.
Talk about some random shtuff. Something I see on the regular and I ended up knowing the guy who designed it.

That's a solid claim to fame right there lol.
Japhy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 10:13 pm
One astounding example is the Voyager spacecraft
They have been flying 47 years and some months
The one way time for radio signals to get to Voyager from Earth is just under 24 hours!
Voyagers transmit back to earth with a 20 watt transmitter! There are very good antennas on both ends or communication wouldnt happen.
Like many people, I used to think that radio signals faded out with time and distance but apparently they don't. They supposedly travel the universe forever at the speed of light until they hit something or are absorbed (or something like that, I'm a dumbass in that area)
Re: Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced lathe...
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:48 am
by PFD45
Justsomedude wrote: ↑Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:40 am
CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:39 pm
Justsomedude wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 7:26 pm
I didn't realize there was so much involved with antennas until I started messing with HAM radio.
I didn’t realize it till I met an antenna designer.
I see random antennas in the world, take pics and send them to him. Saw one on a water meter. It was SUPPOSED to be installed in the lid of the pit. It was inside the pit. Concrete with a metal lid. Sent it to him, asked him how it was supposed to work and he was laughing. He said “not very well. That’s not how I designed it to work. “
Then he sends me the patent with his name on it.
Talk about some random shtuff. Something I see on the regular and I ended up knowing the guy who designed it.

That's a solid claim to fame right there lol.
Japhy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 10:13 pm
One astounding example is the Voyager spacecraft
They have been flying 47 years and some months
The one way time for radio signals to get to Voyager from Earth is just under 24 hours!
Voyagers transmit back to earth with a 20 watt transmitter! There are very good antennas on both ends or communication wouldnt happen.
Like many people, I used to think that radio signals faded out with time and distance but apparently they don't. They supposedly travel the universe forever at the speed of light until they hit something or are absorbed (or something like that, I'm a dumbass in that area)
I remember my folks "talking skip" on their CB.
Something about the sunspots n such.