Bench top lathe

[Pistolero]

I have been talking it over with a tool and die maker friend and have pretty much decided on the
Grizzly G4003G.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-...03G?utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com

Unfortunately, they are out of stock at this time.

Bill

 

[Brad]

Gives you time to get things wired and ready.
That is very similar to my lathe. I did have to make an outboard spider but it was a good learning experience.
You are going to enjoy that lathe Bill.

 

[Pistolero]

I really liked the Sheldon, and it taught me a LOT. After working with a friend's similar lathe a
bit, I decided to upgrade. I lost a good friend a couple years ago to cancer, and he left a good bit of
unfinished business. I am starting to realize that "someday" better be happening pretty darned
soon, or it will happen to me, too. Trying to move up my "someday, I really want to ....." stuff
as much as I can.

I have to run 220 to the location for the lathe. I have a TIG welder my father gave me and
the installation says to put the power leads into conduit, so I guess I run conduit for both
machines. I have a huge Herco CNC mill, too and should run power for it, too. Never have
gotten the Herco under power, it is wired for 440/3 phase. It is possible to rewire to 220,
but I will need to get a phase converter, too. Then, of course move it to my current shop....
it probably weighs a ton and a half. But, I will run the wiring now, even though it may be
a bit in the future to get the Herco going.

Bill

 

[Intheshop]

Of all the equipment in our shop......the two that stand out as "cash registers" the most are the Tig setup....and one particular 3hp wood shaper(we have bigger shapers).

Went to welding school/s, Tig is the *hit.The small shaper only does certain profiles that paid for itself(bought used) the first day we fired it up.

We repair a lot of equipment,more old resto type,with a sprinkling of new.It keeps us in machines.Meaning spoiled rotten,but it wasn't by accident.

As always,be safe with your move/s Bill.Sounds like you got it planned,have fun.BW

 

[Pistolero]

Small Lincoln inverter TIG, but my friend who passed away had the exact same model.
I was able to lay down beautiful TINY weld beads on the top corner of cracked 1911 mags,
welding at 7 amps! Amazing machine and will weld up to 1/4 or better, too. I love the clean
welds without scale that I get from gas welding, esp on small parts.

Thanks, Intheshop, I will be careful with moving the Herco. Had a friend with a small crane
put it where it is stored now, not sure he can pick it up again an load on trailer. Rolled it to
position on 3/4" iron pipe rollers, worked amazingly well on concrete. Keep your fingers clear!

Here is a funny video, a guy attempting to unload same lathe. He spent a long time figuring out the
rigging. Seems a bit short on planning things in advance. I appreciate the warning, though.

Bill

 

[Intheshop]

Silicone Bronze Tig rod.used on cast iron repairs....put part on an Ebay,presto electric griddle.Let it heat soak,ramping up heat to high,over a cpl hrs.LEAVE part on griddle...Tig it right on it.

Ramp the heat down over several hours.

Have sort of the same experience welding wrecked sport bike,cast frames....albeit different rods/specs.My welding mentor is a Top Fuel M/C guru....think welding up "oil rotten" Harley engine cases.He also has been a guiding principle on our machine shop equipment.Simply,ask him...he says,"get this".Been very fortunate to have friends that are movers and shakers in areas of interest.BW

 

[Pistolero]

Great not to have to figure out everything from scratch. I try to pay close attention
when folks who know are teaching.

Bill

 

[Brad]

There is a reason I paid a rigging company to get mine from the bed of my truck to the stand. Money well spent.
A guy need to know his limits some days.

 

[Pistolero]

At my engineering job, I used to occasionally design and supervise the use of special rigging gear
and attach fixtures to high value equipment, and where people would be under it when lifted, so doubly
important. I also was involved in the engineering investigation of a really serious rigging
error which seriously injured two and nearly killed one of them. That was a second story
level situation inside the factory, very bad when the work platform went over onto a large
lathe. I also learned a good bit watching REAL riggers setting up to lift and move stuff like
60" diameter by 20ft bed length lathes, and 8 ft by 8 ft footprint CNC 5 axis mills. Those
guys know what they are doing.

I am confident of my abilities, but not at all suggesting that it is for everyone. It isn't a place to
discover that you didn't quite figure that setup correctly. People can get hurt, and badly. The
equipment damage potential is painful, but can be fixed with nothing more than money. Risk to
people is the real thing to worry about, and it is no joke. I paid $35 extra to get a heavy
compressor delivered by truck with a tailgate lift. Unfortunately, the company only had them on
semis and not a chance to get a semi back out of my shop parking if you were crazy enough to
drive in there. So, they loaded into my PU and I still had to lift it out with my little crane. Not
averse to professional help, just haven't been able to use it much.

Here is one where I definitely was happy to use the pros. Engineering on and installing art is a
side line that I do sometimes. Since I was going to be working under this, I was happy to have
a real crane crew there doing what I needed done. They did a really skillful job.







I loaded the Sheldon for Jeff, and he built a real nice skid to move it on. A good shop crane/engine
hoist with a 2 ton capacity is REALLY helpful when you need to move this stuff, but sometimes it
is time to call in the pros.

Bill

 

[Brad]

FYI- I have met Bill and he is most assuredly not the one with the nice legs and camera.

 

[Pistolero]

Ha! Yeah. She was actually a distraction a few times, that dress is really short.
At both ends.

I'm in the green shirt, screwing the mounting pads on before we set the mustang.
Notice that they rigged it with the neck sling as primary, but the differential chain hoist
allowed them to set the angle easily, balancing it as needed. Well done, by pros.

 

[JSH]

Bill if you need any help, ever, give a holler.
That Belger crew has been around a long time. I knew several of them. Shug, Buck and Clyde all of them honery as all get out but good guys. This was in the late 80's or real early 90's. They all tried to get me to come to work there. I was in a position I just could not swing the traveling involved at the time. I love you k back and sure wish I had sucked it up and went there. Hindsight is always 20-20.
Jeff

 

[JSH]

Bill, Richard has a Grizzly. Not sure which one. I will ask him tonight and see. If you want a hands on to play with one I am sure he would be happy to let you.
Jeff

 

[Pistolero]

That might be good, but I have tried out and watched models almost the same.
They are nice machines, from what I can tell and see, plus all the folks who know
more than me telling me.

As far as help, I'll let you know if I can't get it with my little crane. It shouldn't
be really any harder than moving the Sheldon, and I did that in and out by myself
with the little crane.

Pretty convinced now after talking more with my tool and die maker friend.
Belger is a good company. They moved a lot of the big machines at work when we went
to the new building. Impressive to watch them work, and try to learn something.

Bill

 

[JSH]

Richards Grizzly is the 4003. Saw him this evening. He said to give him a call and come on up to his shop if you want too.

 

[Pistolero]

OK, thanks, Jeff. Text me his number. I will go and look at it.

Bill