Big Barn’s Retirement Farm Shop

[Big Barn]

Gale, I'm not sure exactly where you're putting the grease on the mill but I would reccomend keeping it away from anywhere that's exposed. Grease is rarely used on surfaces of machining equipment as it holds chips and can accelerate wear.

If you're lubing the ways and leadscrews then I'd stick with a decent way oil.

To add to TMGT’s advise....

Gale my knee mill is in the open area of my main shop and when not in use I keep the table (and vise if attached) covered. After brushing away the chips I wipe the machined surface of the table with an old oily rag.

Breathable machine covers are also available which work well especially in high humidity environments.

Before my lathe was able to have it’s own small room I provided a draped “awning” for it. A curtain rod was attached to the wall a foot higher and directly behind the lathe. A breathable cover with curtain rings completely covered the machine at a 45 degree angle.

When not in use it only took a few seconds to draw the curtain to protect the lathe from all the normal shop dust and debris.


Sorry I don’t have any pics.

 

[Big Barn]

I was that way with automotive magazines. Have a footlocker full of Hot Rod, Car Craft, JC Whitney magazines from the late 60s. Also have Bo Derek edition of Playboy. Not sure how that got in there...

Richard I’m sure you remember those metal catalog racks that automotive parts counters used to have? In the “old days” I had one in my shop for bearings, filters etc.

Like this:



Would have worked well for your Playboy collection if you were able to get a hold of a heavy duty three hole punch.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

TMGT I may use the AR8300 in a lot of places initially to prevent metal to metal contact long term especially the screw that lifts the knee on the mill. The gears on the lathes appear to be coated with harden grease so I am using the 50/50 motor oil/AR9100 mix to try and soften the hard stuff. When I get them to the shop I will pull each gear and clean them one at a time. I do not want to make a mess in the storage area so I am just getting them freed up. The 6" head stock noise is already greatly reduced and the carriage will move without twisting off the wheel.

Big Barn I will try to find some breathable material to cover the machines ASAP. If I come up with some good temporary wheel options quickly I may get the lathes on to the shop soon but I do not want to be lifting them all of the time to get them out of the way as we prep a home for them.

I have AR9100 in every part that uses any kind of oils in the Subaru for 30K miles now and in the power steering, engine and 6 speed ATF of the F-150

The lathes, mill and other power tools are going to be test beds for Archoil usage. I like it for no dry start prevention even if the engine has not been started in 3 years. The science behind Archoil sold me plus there is research showing it is good for the life of multi million dollar machines. It was the research numbers from 3rd parties that enabled me to mentally go full bore with its usage. Now for several years I have not found a downside of the AR9100 additive.

I hope to get by and check on the lathes after sitting for two days with oil in the bearings.

 

[Big Barn]

It’s the Little Things Part 4 The Missing Miscellaneous .


No matter how hard I try to organize things I sometimes wonder why I bother. All those little widgets I didn’t throw away because I was CERTAIN I would need them someday. I usually find them several days AFTER running to the the store to buy more.

I’m talking about stuff like this:







It’s not considered hoarding if you try to keep it organized.


TMSAISTI.

Please feel free to offer your personal solutions.

 

[the old grind]

Re: Big Barn痴 Retirement Farm Shop

Gale, CalG suggested to use replaced hydraulic oil to top up or replace in gearboxes of the lathes, and it's working fine for me. When I set up a job on a mill I wipe ways, then spread 'zip spout turbine oil' on them and go back & forth a little and wipe away any dark smears. You can probably get way-wiper mat'l to add or replace yours if bodged (coolant use). I use jumbo lawn-leaf or toolbox-shipping clear poly bags to cover the mills when they're waiting for work. 24/7/365 climate control in my shop makes that easy. Consider Tyvek or Wraptor to stitch up something breathable.

On the lathes, the work or the material is often much different. (less poly & alum, more steel, CI, & bronze) When turning/boring 'granular' metals or polishing an OD with an abrasive strip the fines are grittier and more pernicious. Every other job or so I'll Windex the bedways squeaky clean and oil afresh. Still using that 'Primrose whatever' with 'Moly-D' that Grizzly carried. Q-tips help get grit out of Cross-slide and compound ways. ISO 46 or 20wt is about right for ways, 10wt for DIY spindle oil.

 

[dragoneggs]

Richard I’m sure you remember those metal catalog racks that automotive parts counters used to have? In the “old days” I had one in my shop for bearings, filters etc.

Like this:

View attachment 602892

Would have worked well for your Playboy collection if you were able to get a hold of a heavy duty three hole punch.

NO! Not for the centerfolds and those holes would be in all the 'good' places! :laughing:

 

[Big Barn]

NO! Not for the centerfolds and those holes would be in all the 'good' places! :laughing:

Mark I was tempted to say something but managed to refrain...

 

[ovrszd]

You guys need to grow up!!! I subscribed to Playboy for the articles......

 

[Big Barn]

I knew that.

 

[ovrszd]

When I get moved into the new house and empty all those totes I'll dig out Bo and share with you guys.