New tools for the Haas TL1 lathe
- Thread starter KeithB
- Start date
KeithB
Resident Half Fast Machinist
Apparently the rack/bracket used to be offered for sale but my friend/customer says that he has searched all over for several years and couldn't find them for sale anywhere. The only reason we are making them is because he couldn't get them elsewhere. He showed me a sample of the original - there were no ID #s, trademarks, or any other way to identify the manufacturer. Can't hardly believe the bracket is patented or even patentable so no problems there. Most likely the original bracket is the product of a garage shop operation such as ours, or was a one time order from an off shore manufacturer. I have a few personal ethical rules about copying other people's products, always seems like I've got enough original ideas banging around in my head that I don't need to steal ideas from somebody else.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
Not everyone has that much ethics, unfortunately. Even some well known gunsmiths.
My patented recoil spring plug design was sold for quite some time by Brownell's, made
by a big name gunsmith (not Brown or Wilson) who specializes in stealing other people's
designs because they know that the cost to sue them is so high that they can steal from
little guys with impunity. A letter from my attorney was replied with "we have no idea what
you are talking about. So sue us if you think there is a case.", or words to that effect.
Atty said to give him $25K to prime the pump, keep it coming after he burns thru that....
For a part that we made a fraction of that $25K on per year???
If someone steals your car, the government will prosecute them. If they steal your
patent, they will do exactly nothing.
Bill
My patented recoil spring plug design was sold for quite some time by Brownell's, made
by a big name gunsmith (not Brown or Wilson) who specializes in stealing other people's
designs because they know that the cost to sue them is so high that they can steal from
little guys with impunity. A letter from my attorney was replied with "we have no idea what
you are talking about. So sue us if you think there is a case.", or words to that effect.
Atty said to give him $25K to prime the pump, keep it coming after he burns thru that....
For a part that we made a fraction of that $25K on per year???
If someone steals your car, the government will prosecute them. If they steal your
patent, they will do exactly nothing.
Bill
Keith, looks like a good set up and a very interesting thread.
I noticed the Husky box in one of your pictures. I looked at them at Home Depot, they are no snap on or Mac for sure. I had big boxes from both years back, long gone now. I do have the local snap on man keeping an eye out for a smaller roll around box.
I need me heavy enough to store the 3 and 4 jaw chucks in along with some other iron. I want one big enough to get my granite block on also.
You got any input on that husky box? I looked at several sizes, all with "ball bearing" drawers. That term is used loosely.
I have thought about taking three of the old heavy two drawer filing cabinets and making a base with casters out of angle iron and putting a good top on it. Finding the old good heavy filing cabinets may be a chore itself.
Jeff
I noticed the Husky box in one of your pictures. I looked at them at Home Depot, they are no snap on or Mac for sure. I had big boxes from both years back, long gone now. I do have the local snap on man keeping an eye out for a smaller roll around box.
I need me heavy enough to store the 3 and 4 jaw chucks in along with some other iron. I want one big enough to get my granite block on also.
You got any input on that husky box? I looked at several sizes, all with "ball bearing" drawers. That term is used loosely.
I have thought about taking three of the old heavy two drawer filing cabinets and making a base with casters out of angle iron and putting a good top on it. Finding the old good heavy filing cabinets may be a chore itself.
Jeff
Ian
Notorious member
I'm not Keith but could wax poetic for hours on the subject of tool cabinets.
Short version of my nsho is the consumer-grade import boxes are inexpensive and very effective for light drawer loads and infrequent use, but weight kills them, fast. The cheap slides bend and break down, the thin metal bows, warps, cracks, and splits, the slide tabs fatigue and break off, plastic slide stops fail, and heavily-loaded drawers become very recalcitrant immediately. Sooner or later a cheap box worked hard will hurt you.
Waterloo used to make a good, reasonably affordable line of drawer cabinets configured and sized for storing frequently-used machine equipment and tooling (not mechanic's boxes), you might look at those too.
Short version of my nsho is the consumer-grade import boxes are inexpensive and very effective for light drawer loads and infrequent use, but weight kills them, fast. The cheap slides bend and break down, the thin metal bows, warps, cracks, and splits, the slide tabs fatigue and break off, plastic slide stops fail, and heavily-loaded drawers become very recalcitrant immediately. Sooner or later a cheap box worked hard will hurt you.
Waterloo used to make a good, reasonably affordable line of drawer cabinets configured and sized for storing frequently-used machine equipment and tooling (not mechanic's boxes), you might look at those too.
KeithB
Resident Half Fast Machinist
So far I've been real pleased with our two Husky roll around lower units and one multi drawer tall cabinet. All have roller slide drawers that work real well. We are storing some fairly heavy stuff in the roll arounds and so far the drawers are holding up fine. One drawer has about 2 dozen CXA size Aloris type lathe toolholders, drawer still rolls in/out smoothly.
Probably better units around but I got the upright and the two roll arounds at the local Home Depot when they were on sale. I think they are a good value for the money. A lot cheaper than the Kobalt brand boxes they were selling at the Lowes right across the road.
Probably better units around but I got the upright and the two roll arounds at the local Home Depot when they were on sale. I think they are a good value for the money. A lot cheaper than the Kobalt brand boxes they were selling at the Lowes right across the road.
Lol, Ian your preaching to the choir.
My first snap on box was bought when he opened the drawers like stair steps, then proceeded to walk to the top.
That in turn was my interest in the "old" filing cabinets. I have a card file with real ball bearing drawers and slides. It is what I keep my jacketed and ready to use CB's in. I would guess it's weight at around 12-1600 lbs. One finger will open or close it.
My first snap on box was bought when he opened the drawers like stair steps, then proceeded to walk to the top.
That in turn was my interest in the "old" filing cabinets. I have a card file with real ball bearing drawers and slides. It is what I keep my jacketed and ready to use CB's in. I would guess it's weight at around 12-1600 lbs. One finger will open or close it.
smokeywolf
Well-Known Member
I have two Sears roll-aways. One bought by my dad around 1950 and one I bought in 1987. I also have a drawer unit (on casters) that came out of a Radio Shack remodel in about 1980 and was used for organizing electronics components. Also have 3 of the smaller Kennedy chests, 2 cheaper (import) oak machinist chests and a nice U.S. Gerstner chest in cherry.
Outside of a 1/16" drive pin punch, I don't think I have any Snap On tools. Dad was keen on Proto and Williams. When he was with Lockheed, they only allowed Snap On, Proto and Williams hand tools. They found any other wrench, socket or driver in your box and you and your box would be escorted off the premises. I have a lot of hand tools other than what came out of Dad's shop; most are Craftsman, with some Proto, Williams and Armstrong.
Outside of a 1/16" drive pin punch, I don't think I have any Snap On tools. Dad was keen on Proto and Williams. When he was with Lockheed, they only allowed Snap On, Proto and Williams hand tools. They found any other wrench, socket or driver in your box and you and your box would be escorted off the premises. I have a lot of hand tools other than what came out of Dad's shop; most are Craftsman, with some Proto, Williams and Armstrong.
KeithB
Resident Half Fast Machinist
Choice of tools and brands is highly personal. I am not a mechanic, I do very little work on my vehicles, so I don't need the variety and quality of tools that a professional in that field would have. Most of my mismatched sockets, ratchets, etc are Craftsman, which are more than adequate for my needs. If I had to make a living using a ratchet wrench every day I would buy the best darned wrench I could find! As a machinist I spend my money on quality measuring tools and workholding equipment. We use Allen wrenches as much or more than we use box, open end, or socket wrenches, so we keep several sets of top quality Allen wrenches in each machine's tool box.
I looked at HD, Lowes, Sears, and Menards. Spent lots of times looking at how solid the boxes were made and the quality of the slides. I went with a box from Menards. It has done well so far. I will never put a chuck in a drawer because I don't want that kind of weight in the box. The extra chucks go on a shelf.
I decided that spending 500 for a rolling chest was enough. I could spend lots more but for my purposes it was adequate.
Keith, you sound a lot like Ian. Spend money where it matters, save where you can. I like that kind of reasoning, it makes sense to me. Measuring tools are a lifetime purchase and make a difference. I never though of Allen wrenches that way but they do get lots of use.
I decided that spending 500 for a rolling chest was enough. I could spend lots more but for my purposes it was adequate.
Keith, you sound a lot like Ian. Spend money where it matters, save where you can. I like that kind of reasoning, it makes sense to me. Measuring tools are a lifetime purchase and make a difference. I never though of Allen wrenches that way but they do get lots of use.
I went to SAMs club today. They have some good looking bench/boxes. Beauty is only skin deep though.
I may just hold off and leave some of this as is for now.
Brad, funny you bring up the Allen wrenches. I just dumped a coffe can full in the trash. A poorly hardened one does one no favors in the long run.
I may just hold off and leave some of this as is for now.
Brad, funny you bring up the Allen wrenches. I just dumped a coffe can full in the trash. A poorly hardened one does one no favors in the long run.
smokeywolf
Well-Known Member
I have probably 8 sets of Allen wrenches; short arm, standard, the little Swiss army folding set, and drivers, plus a couple of cigar boxes full; most are Bondhus. My sons will never have to buy Allen wrenches.