Machine tools for maintaining your cars?
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:02 pm
After doing some searches in the archives, I've not found this issue addressed.
I grew up in a family business where we had a big drill press, arbor press and lathe, plus torches, forklift and loads of heavy tools and space. This was great when I was restoring a Europa and then my Elan, but alas, no more. I've got a 2-car garage now, definitely need a drill press, and see numerous situations where a lathe would be handy. Plus, I'd like to learn more about machining. After 20 years away from "making stuff" while pursuing a career pushing bits and bytes around the web, I'm really enjoying working on my Elan.
Question: Since space and funds are limited, I'm considering either mini-lathe/drill/mill machines (as seen at www.littlemachineshop.com), or a combo unit like a Smithy, Shoptask or Grizzly. Full-size separates like are South Bend lathe and Bridgeport mill are an option only in my fantasies, and I'm well aware that anything less is a compromise. Anyone here have an opinion and/or experience they want to share?
I've trolled several machining forums, and this question is posed regularly with the regular holy war responses between old-timers chanting "big American iron" and those who wish they could, don't have the space, and use combo units with reasonable success. I don't mean to bring that debate to this group, only to get opinions from anyone specifically within the confines of owning/maintaining Loti (though I currently only have one). Oh, I should mention that it is my aspiration to eventually go racing locally, so I expect that would greatly increase my need to be able to "make stuff".
Thanks so much,
Dave
I grew up in a family business where we had a big drill press, arbor press and lathe, plus torches, forklift and loads of heavy tools and space. This was great when I was restoring a Europa and then my Elan, but alas, no more. I've got a 2-car garage now, definitely need a drill press, and see numerous situations where a lathe would be handy. Plus, I'd like to learn more about machining. After 20 years away from "making stuff" while pursuing a career pushing bits and bytes around the web, I'm really enjoying working on my Elan.
Question: Since space and funds are limited, I'm considering either mini-lathe/drill/mill machines (as seen at www.littlemachineshop.com), or a combo unit like a Smithy, Shoptask or Grizzly. Full-size separates like are South Bend lathe and Bridgeport mill are an option only in my fantasies, and I'm well aware that anything less is a compromise. Anyone here have an opinion and/or experience they want to share?
I've trolled several machining forums, and this question is posed regularly with the regular holy war responses between old-timers chanting "big American iron" and those who wish they could, don't have the space, and use combo units with reasonable success. I don't mean to bring that debate to this group, only to get opinions from anyone specifically within the confines of owning/maintaining Loti (though I currently only have one). Oh, I should mention that it is my aspiration to eventually go racing locally, so I expect that would greatly increase my need to be able to "make stuff".
Thanks so much,
Dave