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Hi folks,

I have a mill that I run with coolant and cut mostly aluminum. I have a customer that wants to run a LOT of bamboo parts and I'm wondering if this is a problem. I've heard that sawdust...

I still have the shoptask but I've invested in quite a bit of hardware in the last couple of years. I have a bridgeport, hardinge lathe, and a Haas VF1. I do all the rough machining on the Haas. The...

Yep, something is not mating up correctly. The tightness of the bolts should not have any effect on concentricity.

I had the chuck bolts that are too long problem as well. The shoptask will teach you a lot about machining AND your problem solving skills :) you can check out my site, I documented a lot of my work...

For what you get it's not that expensive :) The parts are held on with a little tab right at the tip of the clip. This keeps the parts from "tipping up" after they are cut and/or falling into the bed...

Hey thanks! Sometimes it's hard to remember to be smarter :)

I've taken it to a new level: outsourcing! I had these waterjet cut down the road in San Carlos, CA. Pretty amazing and I'd sure be...

Hey guys, sorry I've been away for so long. It's getting really hard to manage my time effectively! Anyway, wanted to get you some updates and also hijack my own thread. I can do that right ? :)
...

Hey folks, I had a custom "maker's mark" stamp made for my custom flashlights. I had to whip up a little jig so I could use it reliably on my arbor press. Tried the hammer, which works fine on letter...

I imagine hogging a pocket would take maybe 5-10 minutes. I have an older eldorado (non-CNC) and machine rigidity is an issue if you need to move a lot of material. Unless cosmetic finish is a must,...

Hey folks, I made a fun little tool so that I could remove a copper sleeve that I press into the back of my flashlight heads. More info on the blog :) Here is a teaser photo.
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Hey, the stop is bolted to the base with a nylock nut and a brass washer between the square tube and the side of the table. I can swing the assembly up and down without loosening the main bolt....

Hey gang,

I've been making some flashlights and had to cut off quite a few parts to length. I decided to whip up a little saw stop for my dewalt multi-cutter. Works great! I have some more pics...

Tig or another process? Spatter will probably fracture and pit the surface.

I mostly use mine in conjunction with a height gage to scribe parts, checking for square ( with a square), or lapping...

Hi all,

Well I've been upgrading for the last couple of years. I've also decided to start making limited production, rechargeable, LED flashlights. I still update the alchemist site from time to...

This is a VF1. I'm doing interpolation around an OD and I'm getting little ridges when the machine changes direction. I can comp out most of it but the finish is cosmetic.

Awesome! This is exactly what I was looking for. If I had a brain I might have even figured that out myself :) I'll check for backlash at the travel limits today! Thanks.

I'm having some backlash issues and before forking out 1200 bucks per screw I'm wondering if I can (on my own) diagnose the source of play. To get the numbers below I put a mag base on the table and...

I've used rhinocam a lot for vacuum form molds used to pull automotive bodywork. The basic package is "reasonably" priced and you can upgrade to more advanced capabilities later.

If you aren't a...

I have version 3.9

Okay, just tried a test and here are the results:

P30. = 30 sec
P60. = 60 sec
P100. = 34 sec
P300. = 37 sec

Mysterious for sure.

Sorry I misstyped I have: S500 M03 G04 P300. I don't think it's ipr because if I input P60. It runs for 60 seconds but if I input P70. It runs for about 12 seconds.

G52 is zeroed out. I don't see neg work offset in the sub menu for setting 57. Z0 is at the right height today. Which is confusing. But, if I enter 2.0 into G54 for the (correct) tool it goes 2...

It's a 1991...ahem. In good shape though!

Yes,

S500 M03 P300.;

Hey all,

My warmup program (VF1) specifies a dwell of 300. seconds per RPM setting, but it only runs for about 45 seconds. I played around with a bunch of values. Any value less than 60. produces...

Actually, I have a tool setter and spindle probe. I'd love to use them but don't know how. Want to come over and get it set up for me? I'll buy you a six pack :) In the mean time, I'll default back...

First, you want the quill extended as little as possible. You also want to use and end mill that has the largest acceptable diameter and the shortest practical length. Is your endmill a "normal"...

Hi all,

Just got a used Vf-1. I'm trying to get things set up and I'm having an issue with the tool length offset. This machine was previously configured to use a renisaw tool setter...and I'm not...

Hi folks,

I'm considering a used (1992) VF1...white and black enclosure with the rounded edges...and I have a couple of questions.

First, does anyone know what pin configuration the rotary...

I'm not clear how rotating the table would create a taper since the table is still traveling along the X axis? I was hoping this would work when I got my machine, but I wrote it off at some point. Am...