Where to find metalworking tools ?

[allenlook]

Fellas, if I wanted to get into some tinkering metalworking, such as machining things to flatten surfaces, or drill/tap, or make my own threads, where could I find equipment affordably, and what would you get that you've found most useful for working on the farm?

No, I can't afford a Bridgeport milling machine, or a 5-axis CNC-controlled brute, but I'd at least like to get a milling machine and lathe so I can get back into it...

[Dave (69 lo-boy)]

look on ebay under the industrial section, use the option of searching within a certain mileage radius, you don't want to ship cast iron.
A LOT of small job shops are closing now, a friend who is a machinist with his own shop told me the other day that he is the only machine shop left in the industrial park, down from 6 just 10 years ago...

[George Willer]

Allen,

You probably already know this, but the best buys are in the larger machines. Any machine that doesn't take up a lot of valuable shop space is bid up by hobbiests. My 13" South bend lathe cost less than my 10" Logan.... but there again, I use the Logan whenever it will do the job.

My Bridgeport with 32" table cost less than $1000 and it is a single phase machine. Don't pay for a longer table that you'll probably never need.

[RudyO]

I bought a 15" Cincinatti Hydrashift and a 9x42 mill a year ago and paid $1000 for the pair. I bought mine through a surplus equipment house. Look around for a place that buys up equipment. Also, keep an eye for auctions, either estate or schools. Just my $0.02.

[allenlook]

George and Rudy,

Those were dang good deals!

[Buzzard Wing]

I keep my eyes open for auctions. Sometimes stuff is just too expensive and it is a lot of work to deal with auctions and you can get stuck with something that is not working, complete, etc.. The hard part about auctions is having a top limit for what you want to buy.... it is not the place to go if you MUST have it, very easy to over pay.

Funny, but I JUST saw a Bridgeport in Groton, CT Looks to be a bigger one and may have been sitting in the rain, but could be a deal. http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auction/v ... vertTo=USD
I bought my trailer from these folks. They handle the liquidation of federal govt property (must be sold at public auction).

This auctioneer (also in CT) can have what you are looking for too. http://www.petrowskyauctioneers.com/Inv ... M=405&sD=1

This site may be more useful to you in NY http://www.teitsworth.com/auctions.htm


Also, just let people know what you are looking for and it may turn up when you least expect it.