Resources for Metalbashing

Building microwave equipment often requires a bit of metalworking. Most of us aren't trained machinists. When I started out as a young electronics technician, I was expected to do small machining jobs, so I had to learn enough to get the job done.

A nice shop with fancy tools and machinery makes metalworking easier, but we can accomplish the same result with simple tools and a little creativity. Here are a few resources to get you started and help find tools and materials:

• Online
1. Introduction to Machine Tools (mpeg videos): http://me.mit.edu/2.70/machine/outline.html
2. Advice on buying a used lathe: http://www.mermac.com/advice.html
3. Auction advice ( BEWARE! ) http://www.mermac.com/auction.html
• Newsgroups: http://www.phoaks.com/phoaks2/newsgroups/rec/crafts/metalworking/
• Books & Videos
1. How To Run A Lathe by Southbend (1942) Lindsay Publications, PO Box 538, Bradley, IL, 60915. 815-935-5353 http://www.lindsaybks.com/prod/index.html
2. Care & Operation of a Lathe Lindsay Publications
3. Basic Lathe Operation Video Lindsay Publications
4. Milling Machine Operation Video Lindsay Publications
5. Tabletop Machining by Joe Martin Sherline (see below) http://www.sherline.com/~sherline/bookplug.htm
6. Machinery’s Handbook http://www.industrialpress.com/handbook/index.html
• Magazines
1. The Home Shop Machinist : http://www.villagepress.com/homeshop/
• Suppliers
1. Sherline (small lathe and milling machine) http://www.sherline.com/~sherline/index.html
2. MSC, 151 Sunnyside Blvd, Plainview, NY, 11803. 800-645-7270 (BIG catalog) http://www.mscdirect.com/
3. ENCO, 800-873-3626 (imported machinery & tooling, reasonable quality) http://www.use-enco.com/
4. Grizzly, 2406 Reach Road, Williamsport, PA 17701. 800-523-4777 (imported machinery) http://www.grizzlyimports.com/
5. Harbor Freight, 3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011. 800-423-2567 (cheap imported stuff) http://www.harborfreight.com/
6. Blue Ridge Machinery & Tools, Box 536, Hurricane, WV 25526-0536, 304-562-3538 (Unimat, tooling) http://www.blueridgemachinery.com/index.htm
7. Eastern Tool & Supply, 149 Grand St, New York, NY, 10013, 800-221-2679 (Sherline at discount)
• Dealers
1. Meridian Machinery, 85 Allen Blvd. Farmingdale, NY 11735 (used machinery & accessories, used and new tooling) http://www.mermac.com/index.html
2. EDR, 8C Tinkham Ave, Derry, NH, 03037. 603-437-2993 (Surplus stuff)

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