Tom Anderson
Newly Enlightened
Some folks have asked about the equipment I use. It's a collection of machines and gear that I've accumulated over many years. There's nothing really fancy - none of it is CNC controlled (unless you think CNC means "Crank 'N Cut!" :D)
Some of these photos are a few years old, but my shop looks pretty much the same now. (Well, maybe not as clean! ;) )
This is my little 2-hp bench mill/drill. I've added a number of gizmos to it (DRO, variable speed drive, rotary table, etc.).
My 12" x 36" gap bed lathe. (I don't remove the gap bed, so it's really more of a 9" x 36" lathe.) Again, I've added a few gizmos to make life a little easier (DRO, 5C closer)
I've actually added a Sjogren 5C chuck to my late since the above photo was taken. It makes accurate turning a lot better.
My 20+ year old drill press and a home-made 18-ton hydraulic press.
My bandsaws. The front one is for metal and the one in the back is used to cut wood and other soft materials.
My Wilton 2" x 72" grinder. I've made a few modifications to this, including a variable speed DC drive. Behind it is a 6" x 48"/12" disc combination sander.
A slow speed (90 RPM) horizontal disc sander. (Made from various bits and pieces.)
My little surface grinder.
A small 1/2-HP buffer.
Belts for the Wilton.
My air compressor setup. I got tired of burning up motors on the one on the right, so it just serves as an expansion tank. Now I have 140 gallons of air at 120 psi. :D
My bench top bead blast unit. It has a number of coalescing filters and a drier attached to it.
My main dust collection unit. I also have two other small filtration units.
An ultrasonic cleaner.
My anodizing equipment. (I call it "the Tower of Power" :D )
My parts queue bench, made from Hastelloy for when I work with acid. (Old photo showing folder blades that I finished years ago. I normally didn't make so many of one model knife at a time, but these were for a dealer.) I stopped making knives a few years ago.
... and, my main workbench.
That's it!
BTW: All this stuff is located in my basement.
Some of these photos are a few years old, but my shop looks pretty much the same now. (Well, maybe not as clean! ;) )
This is my little 2-hp bench mill/drill. I've added a number of gizmos to it (DRO, variable speed drive, rotary table, etc.).
My 12" x 36" gap bed lathe. (I don't remove the gap bed, so it's really more of a 9" x 36" lathe.) Again, I've added a few gizmos to make life a little easier (DRO, 5C closer)
I've actually added a Sjogren 5C chuck to my late since the above photo was taken. It makes accurate turning a lot better.
My 20+ year old drill press and a home-made 18-ton hydraulic press.
My bandsaws. The front one is for metal and the one in the back is used to cut wood and other soft materials.
My Wilton 2" x 72" grinder. I've made a few modifications to this, including a variable speed DC drive. Behind it is a 6" x 48"/12" disc combination sander.
A slow speed (90 RPM) horizontal disc sander. (Made from various bits and pieces.)
My little surface grinder.
A small 1/2-HP buffer.
Belts for the Wilton.
My air compressor setup. I got tired of burning up motors on the one on the right, so it just serves as an expansion tank. Now I have 140 gallons of air at 120 psi. :D
My bench top bead blast unit. It has a number of coalescing filters and a drier attached to it.
My main dust collection unit. I also have two other small filtration units.
An ultrasonic cleaner.
My anodizing equipment. (I call it "the Tower of Power" :D )
My parts queue bench, made from Hastelloy for when I work with acid. (Old photo showing folder blades that I finished years ago. I normally didn't make so many of one model knife at a time, but these were for a dealer.) I stopped making knives a few years ago.
... and, my main workbench.
That's it!
BTW: All this stuff is located in my basement.
