2017 - The Original "What Did You Buy Today?" Mega Thread

[Firestopper]

Thats a beauty.

 

[sanddan]

A 6" vise is overkill for a RF45 style mill. A 4" is more appropiate for that size mill & IMO 5" max. I have a 5" GMT vise on my PM45 & it's slightly too big. Not enough Y axis travel to make use of the 5" full capacity. Better to save your money rather than getting something too big & most importantly the weight. I take my vise of the table quite often, a 6" is still light enough for me to be carried by hand but I'm glad I have a 5". I also have a 4" vise as well. I prefer the 5" though.

But those GMT 6" Premium vises are pretty nice. I'd love to have one but don't need one on my current mill. But if you plan on upgrading to a full size knee mill in the future than the 6" will be perfect.


Here's what the 5" looks like on my mill.



I couldn't even complete this cut without my bellows & DRO scale getting in the way. Not enough Y travel & the 5" vise is not even maxed out.



Here's what a 6" vise looks like on another PM45 (gt40's)
View attachment 253544

 

[sanddan]

I picked this 2 1/2" Winton Bullet vise with table clamping swivel base for $50 from a retired Boeing machinist. It has bronze jaws. I'm planning on make sets in aluminum and steel. I researched Wilton Bullet vises and see no mention of this size or this type of base. The date on the key is June 1970.
View attachment 227609 View attachment 227610

Copper also makes great soft jaws. I got this stock from Online Metals.

 

[woodchucker]

I picked this 2 1/2" Winton Bullet vise with table clamping swivel base for $50 from a retired Boeing machinist. It has bronze jaws. I'm planning on make sets in aluminum and steel. I researched Wilton Bullet vises and see no mention of this size or this type of base. The date on the key is June 1970.

That's a great buy. I wouldn't need other jaws, those would work fine for whatever.

 

[bfd]

I bought 2 used and abused vidmar cabinets nearby me out of craigslist. a 9 drawer and an 11 drawer abused but at a good price. will need some work but I will find things to fill them with I'm sure of it bill

 

[DSaul]

I always wondered if the medical oxygen generator would work for my small torch. I was always out of the little oxygen tanks when I needed the torch for an important job! Today I found a generator for 10 bucks at the flea market. Took it home set it up and it works like a champ with oxygen to spare!
View attachment 227351

You stole that for $10. I paid $150 for mine and that was a deal. That thing will run a much larger torch. I use mine with a Victor J28 clone and a barbecue propane tank to braze bicycle frames.

 

[chips&more]

You stole that for $10. I paid $150 for mine and that was a deal. That thing will run a much larger torch. I use mine with a Victor J28 clone and a barbecue propane tank to braze bicycle frames.

Thank you for the insight. I had the biggest tip on the torch and noticed the flow meter on the generator was at #3. That’s about half of the max flow that my generator can apparently handle? Have not done any testing yet. Did one job already, works great.

 

[Hukshawn]

Thank you for the insight. I had the biggest tip on the torch and noticed the flow meter on the generator was at #3. That’s about half of the max flow that my generator can apparently handle? Have not done any testing yet. Did one job already, works great.

What kind of power does that generator draw? Out of curiosity.

 

[woodchucker]

I bought 2 used and abused vidmar cabinets nearby me out of craigslist. a 9 drawer and an 11 drawer abused but at a good price. will need some work but I will find things to fill them with I'm sure of it bill

Really , all I find is very expensive vidmars... if they are rusted they still are asking over a thou for them.
I was thinking of just buying a tool cabinet and making my own dividers rather than pay that kind of $$$.

 

[Bill Gruby]

First estate sale of the year. Bought a HF 8X12 lathe with all accessories and stand for #200.00. That makes 4 lathes I own