StraightUp_OG Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 Really nice. What's your background skill set ect? just curious. That's one clean garage, you could eat off that floor. I have been shooting practical since I was 15 with a long break starting at around 22. I spent 16-20 in a friends gunsmithing shop learning and hacking up my own guns. I am the type of soul that must always be leaning and most of the time self taught. Currently I am a Sales Engineer for an internet company (read NERD). Since I have not done any machining in my past I looked to the internet and found on MIT's site, since MIT has made their core curriculum available online for free, a prototyping/machining course. Took that to get the basics down and then dove in head first. I find, for me, the learning experience must be about trial and error but if you spend time really thinking about the process before taking action you can eliminate a great number of errors. The floor! LOL We just moved into this house in June and the floor was brand new. I will be working diligently to remove its luster over time. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothguy Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Thanks, one of my goals is to get a small lathe and a mill to work on revolvers. I have seen some of MIT's tutorials on the lathe, there pretty good. Toolguy is a great machinist, I go over there when I can. That's inspirational thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 You bet. One thing I would add is that if I can do this anyone can do this given the time and resources of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McAllyn Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Crap... I was wondering if I was ever going to find something to cut into my shooting time. Thanks for the new hobby, OG. As a fellow geek, this type of thing is right up my alley. Honestly, can't wait until I can get down into this. Depletion of Income Tax Refund in 3... 2... Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 Crap... I was wondering if I was ever going to find something to cut into my shooting time. Thanks for the new hobby, OG. As a fellow geek, this type of thing is right up my alley. Honestly, can't wait until I can get down into this. Depletion of Income Tax Refund in 3... 2... Mac It's my pleasure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 OK I PhotoChopped some flutes on the 41 before I cut. I like it, what say all of you? Flutes or No Flutes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimshady Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 +1 for flutes. looks good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caspian guy Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Here you go for inspiration http://www.cncguns.com/projects/stiframe.html http://www.cncguns.com/downloads.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Here you go for inspiration http://www.cncguns.com/projects/stiframe.html http://www.cncguns.com/downloads.html Yup downloaded them all. That was the site that started this project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireant Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 OK, now I know what my summer project is going to be. I just opened up enough space in the shop for one of these to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperman Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 If you want to get into machining, without having to build it yourself, check out Tormach. I'm sure it is more money than a do it yourself project, but it is a whole lot less than a Haas or Okuma, and it shows up ready to run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 If you want to get into machining, without having to build it yourself, check out Tormach. I'm sure it is more money than a do it yourself project, but it is a whole lot less than a Haas or Okuma, and it shows up ready to run. I covet the 1100 with all the bells and whistles (about 15k). Once I really max out my LMS that will be my next stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 OK, now I know what my summer project is going to be. I just opened up enough space in the shop for one of these to fit. Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind bat Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I've been wanting to do this exact thing for a while now. Building the cabinet is a really nice touch. Keep us posted on the progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griz Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I have the red version of that mill with lots of mods (belt drive, shumatec dro, etc) and find it is fine for most 1911 work... I use it to lighten stainless slides, fit barrels, etc with no drama. The only thing I am not sure I could do would be cut a frame for a w/n barrel because of the z axis limit. I have been thinking about getting a cnc fusion kit for years now but I worry that it will make doing quick little seat of the pants projects with no plans a lot harder. How well does the pendant work for something like, say, lowering the barrel bed in a 1911? I did that the other night in about 10 mins most of which was dialing in the 1911. What are you using for cad? I use solidworks at work and find every thing I have tried for cheap/free at home disappointing and frustrating. .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 I have the red version of that mill with lots of mods (belt drive, shumatec dro, etc) and find it is fine for most 1911 work... I use it to lighten stainless slides, fit barrels, etc with no drama. The only thing I am not sure I could do would be cut a frame for a w/n barrel because of the z axis limit. I have been thinking about getting a cnc fusion kit for years now but I worry that it will make doing quick little seat of the pants projects with no plans a lot harder. How well does the pendant work for something like, say, lowering the barrel bed in a 1911? I did that the other night in about 10 mins most of which was dialing in the 1911. What are you using for cad? I use solidworks at work and find every thing I have tried for cheap/free at home disappointing and frustrating. .. The Z axis is just barley enough on the LMS. It will be a challenge but I think I have a plan for that. The pendant works great! I started cutting flutes in my 41 last night using it. Once the piece is setup it is a piece of cake. Depending on how you program the pendant you can do all kinds of cool stuff. I have also seen, on the web, people making hand wheels that attach to the Stepper motors so you can still use the mill traditionally. As far as CAD I am usign HeeksCAD, FreeCAD & Sketchup. I am really liking HeeKsCAD because it has a CAM plugin and it is FREE!!! I have not used solidworks (won't pony up the cash) but I hear it is the shiznit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jid2 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Sweet. Machining in the garage is a good way to blow through money! I too built a CNC mill in the garage for having fun and building stuff. I started with a larger machine, and it's taken about 2 years to do the complete conversion including the belt drive, high speed spindle, and power drawbar. But now that it is done, is has a work area the same as a Tormach 1100, but in a much smaller garage footprint, and with a fair amount more spindle speed, power, and servos instead of steppers. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Added some holes to my current gun. Building another gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdub5818 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Love it guys! I have been saving for a while now to do the same. It'd be nice for both my hobbies, cars & firearms. Keep up the good work guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZip Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 This thread is now one of my favorites. You guys rule!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) Sweet. Machining in the garage is a good way to blow through money! I too built a CNC mill in the garage for having fun and building stuff. I started with a larger machine, and it's taken about 2 years to do the complete conversion including the belt drive, high speed spindle, and power drawbar. But now that it is done, is has a work area the same as a Tormach 1100, but in a much smaller garage footprint, and with a fair amount more spindle speed, power, and servos instead of steppers. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. You were one of my insperations! I saw your build thread (on another forum). It was your enclosure that inspired mine! I knew you had to be a member here! CM5000 Love it! Edited February 7, 2013 by StraightUp_OG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdub5818 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Sweet. Machining in the garage is a good way to blow through money! I too built a CNC mill in the garage for having fun and building stuff. I started with a larger machine, and it's taken about 2 years to do the complete conversion including the belt drive, high speed spindle, and power drawbar. But now that it is done, is has a work area the same as a Tormach 1100, but in a much smaller garage footprint, and with a fair amount more spindle speed, power, and servos instead of steppers. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. You were one of my insperations! I saw your build thread (on another forum). It was your enclouser that inspired mine! I knew you had to be a member here! CM5000 Love it! Can you point me in that direction?? Very interested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 Sweet. Machining in the garage is a good way to blow through money! I too built a CNC mill in the garage for having fun and building stuff. I started with a larger machine, and it's taken about 2 years to do the complete conversion including the belt drive, high speed spindle, and power drawbar. But now that it is done, is has a work area the same as a Tormach 1100, but in a much smaller garage footprint, and with a fair amount more spindle speed, power, and servos instead of steppers. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. You were one of my insperations! I saw your build thread (on another forum). It was your enclouser that inspired mine! I knew you had to be a member here! CM5000 Love it! Can you point me in that direction?? Very interested http://www.cnczone.com/forums/benchtop_machines/122462-pm-45_cnc_conversion_rf45-46.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Since I have not done any machining in my past I looked to the internet and found on MIT's site, since MIT has made their core curriculum available online for free, a prototyping/machining course. Took that to get the basics down and then dove in head first. I find, for me, the learning experience must be about trial and error but if you spend time really thinking about the process before taking action you can eliminate a great number of errors. Do you happen to have the link for the MIT course? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jid2 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) http://techtv.mit.ed...-machine-shop-1 First of lots of videos. Edited February 7, 2013 by jid2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Cool. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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