Shop tools you wish you had
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Elviscaretaker
Gold Member
All of the talk of cutters has me thinking of a laser cutter now... Works on wood and metal. A prototyper (SP?) would be nice too. The type Leno has in his shop.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
the last laser cutter i looked was about $900,000.00
Elviscaretaker
Gold Member
There are some new systems out for under 10k. Problem with them is the capacity. Great for smaller objects though. Sorry, couldn't find the link to the one I'm thinking of... Woodworkers journal had a write up on it. It's based on this idea though...
2020437
This machine here has some issues though.
2020437
This machine here has some issues though.
digger2
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- kubota B26 TLB,former B7610 owner
Hypertherm and Thermal Dynamics are both made in New Hampshire,
and if its made in the USA thats just one more reason for me to buy it.....:thumbsup:
and yeah,i realize about the consumables but i think i'd rather buy them than gas all the time.
I will still keep my torch set for heating to bend and cutting thicker stock.
and if its made in the USA thats just one more reason for me to buy it.....:thumbsup:
and yeah,i realize about the consumables but i think i'd rather buy them than gas all the time.
I will still keep my torch set for heating to bend and cutting thicker stock.
digger2
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- n.e. pa.(lycoming co.)
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OK....Hypertherm is made in New Hampshire,and Thermal Dynamics i "think" is made there also or at least they used to be.Does'nt really matter,i want a Hypertherm.....Hanover,New Hampshire.
Powermax 1000,...hmmm,yeah the bigger model would be nice,but a little overkill for me.Besides,i can take that little PM 45 and shove it under the workbench and its out of the way.Its amazing how these things have been shrunk over the last 30 yrs....I remember the first plasma i ever used in 1980.I was called an L-Tec.
It was the size of a tank and i really dont think it would do any more than this Powermax 45 that i want.
Must have weighed about 400 lbs. compared to the PM 45's aprox. 40 lbs....Anyway,thats what i've got my sights set on...............digger2
Powermax 1000,...hmmm,yeah the bigger model would be nice,but a little overkill for me.Besides,i can take that little PM 45 and shove it under the workbench and its out of the way.Its amazing how these things have been shrunk over the last 30 yrs....I remember the first plasma i ever used in 1980.I was called an L-Tec.
It was the size of a tank and i really dont think it would do any more than this Powermax 45 that i want.
Must have weighed about 400 lbs. compared to the PM 45's aprox. 40 lbs....Anyway,thats what i've got my sights set on...............digger2
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For reasons unknown......I have acquired the desire to have a hobby sized metal lathe in the shop. I know I shouldn't go this route.....but the lathe/mill combination machines look interesting. I have been squirreling away my odd-job money.....plan on spending $1500 to $2000 to quench the desire.
Travelover
Elite Member
I've had a 6" Atlas lathe for 30+ years. It even has a small milling attachment. I used it a lot when I first got it, but these days it mostly sits unless I need to make the odd bushing, but that can be years between uses.
My point is that you can probably pick up a nice one used from someone similar to me and get all the goodies along with it.
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digger2
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Fastpauly,
Nice to see another NE pa. guy on here.
Anyway,about 10 years ago i bought a used 10" South Bend from a guy in Tunkannock(i'm sure you know where that is),and i used to use it all the time
mostly just goofin around.Its a nice size for in a small shop.And even though i dont use it that much anymore,when i do need it,its really handy.I thought about a combo unit too before i got my lathe,but i decided that it would be too "crowded" to work with.So i just settled for this SB lathe.In my case,theres not too much i need a combo unit for anyway,so i'm glad i got
a dedicated machine.And even though i dont use it that much,i'll never get rid of it...............digger2
PS.... Check the "Papershop" listings....thats where i got mine.A word of advice.....if you buy one used,get one thats complete and in working condition.Parts for these things are NOT cheap.And if you dont know what to look for/check for,(as far as condition)take somebody with you who does.
Nice to see another NE pa. guy on here.
Anyway,about 10 years ago i bought a used 10" South Bend from a guy in Tunkannock(i'm sure you know where that is),and i used to use it all the time
mostly just goofin around.Its a nice size for in a small shop.And even though i dont use it that much anymore,when i do need it,its really handy.I thought about a combo unit too before i got my lathe,but i decided that it would be too "crowded" to work with.So i just settled for this SB lathe.In my case,theres not too much i need a combo unit for anyway,so i'm glad i got
a dedicated machine.And even though i dont use it that much,i'll never get rid of it...............digger2
PS.... Check the "Papershop" listings....thats where i got mine.A word of advice.....if you buy one used,get one thats complete and in working condition.Parts for these things are NOT cheap.And if you dont know what to look for/check for,(as far as condition)take somebody with you who does.
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Travelover/digger2.....thanks for the info. I will have to take a look into the used market. I just visited the Grizzly store yesterday....if one thing, they do have a massive display for one to get the juices flowing. Being from Lycoming County...the Grizzly outlet must be real close to you digger2. It is about an hour drive for me. My Son lives in S. Williamsport so I find myself down there quite often....usually make a stop at H.F. and Surplus City while I am down there.
