Big Barn’s Retirement Farm Shop

[goeduck]

I will shortly have a shop as nice as Big Barns........... in my dreams :laughing:

 

[Big Barn]

While we’re on the subject of lathes I thought I’d mention how adequate clearance under the bed makes for easier cleanup.

I added 2”x3” square tube to the underside of this mini lathe I once had.

It is situated on an aluminum baking pan available from commercial restaurant supply stores for well under $10. I have several of these trays around as they are great for containing small parts when working on projects.

I always keep one in “new” condition to use in display photos for Craigslist sales.



This is a bench I built for a Clausing lathe. I underslung the motor mount to minimize the lathes footprint. You will notice I “pedestal” mounted it to allow chips to accumulate on the grey removable tray underneath.



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[dragoneggs]

I like hoe you shielded the wall behind her.

 

[Big Barn]

Thanks, Mark. Ideally it would have been a bit bigger but this piece was already cut and I couldn’t bring myself to shear up a new sheet.

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks, Mark. Ideally it would have been a bit bigger but this piece was already cut and I couldn’t bring myself to shear up a new sheet.

Totally understand how that goes. The scoop at the bottom seems a nice touch.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Totally understand how that goes. The scoop at the bottom seems a nice touch.

I agree the drip lip is a cool idea and reminded that I don't have good way to do that.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Gale it sounds like a good sale for BOTH parties involved. That痴 my definition of a good deal. Win Win

We値l be looking forward to when you are able to set the machines up.

Getting it set up is going to take a while but do have 120 volts where it is stored so we can spin it up. Here is a shoot from yesterday with the machines awaiting our pick up day arrival. We are going to repaint the mill and now better understand the bondo remark.

 

[Big Barn]

I should have included a closeup of the removable chip tray. It enables the work area to be easily cleaned, for people like TMGT and myself who apparently have the same cleanup staff.



I bent a piece of 10 gauge plate and attached one inch square tube for sides by plug welding.

A closeup of the fixed tray under my mill drill. It is bolted to and part of the 3” square tube stand.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Getting it set up is going to take a while but do have 120 volts where it is stored so we can spin it up. Here is a shoot from yesterday with the machines awaiting our pick up day arrival. We are going to repaint the mill and now better understand the bondo remark.

View attachment 602475

I see this is the rear view of both the 6 and 12 inch lathes so I will add front views. Keep in mind the 6" may appear larger because it is shorter and framed on the length. Both came with collets, 3 jaw and 4 jaw chucks I know but have yet to inventory boxes of parts. The 6" one does also come with follow rest and a steady rest, two milling attachments for sure. The 12" lathe comes with quick gear change attachment and all of the parts including the gear cover lid to take it back stock. The stock tool post is in a parts box since it has a newer 4 post tool holder currently installed.

There are some MT drill bits, dead and live centers and tons of HS and carbide cutting tools, etc but I think the set of boring tools are HS steel only. In time I will sort through these. Getting the house gutted and back together by September is job one then we can start on fixing a machine shop area in the shop building. Thankfully we have power in the storage place so I can check out the lathes, lube, adjust, ect currently making sure the fresh concrete keeps looking that way.


6" Craftsman lathe. I have an invoice for $650 dated 1983 from a machine tool company so perhaps it was bought used since I think that was past the Sears marketing of this lathe. The story is the guy just wanted to train himself on metal working. He was also the owner of the 12" lathe but I have no paper purchase history on it. Based on the stack of books that came with the lathes I expect the self training story is factual.


12" Craftsman Lathe

So far I see no signs either have been repainted or even touched up so little to no use beyond hobby use could be factual. The other machines can be blown up in the group picture I think. The grinder/buffer and belt sander are not old equipment but the powered hacksaw and 2 drill presses are old. You can see the old Craftsman tool theme was underway. Perhaps the theme may continue.

By the way I am looking for a manual and parts diagrams for the Select brand milling machine that started this ball rolling since it is the Odd Man Out imported machine. It should look like new when cleaned, painted and lubed well as we go back together with the mill.

 

[Big Barn]

Gale those are nice looking machines! And I’m happy for you that it came with a fair amount of tooling.

It will be nice if you can set them up in their own enclosed or semi-enclosed area.