New Guy

[bluwolf]

First off I want to say that I know nothing about flashlights although from what I've seen it seems interesting. I actually joined specifically for this forum. I stumbled across it when I saw a link to a thread about Will's PM12x36 on another group. Then I hung around and read a bunch of the other posts. The atmosphere here seems great. The folks here don't seem to take shots at each other like some of the other forums.

As far as machining, I know less than enough to be dangerous. So I lurk a lot and read. I've got a 7x12 minilathe and I'm in search of a 12x36. I also have an older Jet 8x30 mill very similar to Will's and Daniel's.

And that, in a nutshell, is why I'm here. I doubt I have much to contribute unless there are off-topic woodworking questions. But I'm sure I've got a bunch of stupid metalworking questions.

Mike

 

[Mirage_Man]

Welcome aboard :wave:. Hope you stay awhile.

:welcome:

 

[KC2IXE]

Welcome to the forum.

The gang here is very very friendly. Joke? I've almost totally kicked my flashlight addiction, to the point I have not bought a new light in a couple of years (happy with what I have, which by today's standards at boring)

Anyway, I come here now for the Cafe and the Metalworking section, even though I read a good metalworking list (The Modeleng list - also a very very friendly place, just don't talk about Wheetabix or Foucault Pendilums (inside jokes, but they are the only 2 banned topics)). The "Metal Munchers" here are a good group, have some decent insights, and you can post pictures (hard/impossible to do on the ME list)


Oh, and to explain Wheetabix and the FP ban. One time the list owner went on extended vacation - there were 2 threads that started - one on Wheetabix (a British Breakfast food) and one on FPs. Both threads got WAY WAY out of hand - to the point that a list that normally runs maybe 2-30 messages on a busy day were running multiple HUNDREDS of messages/day. I think one day there was over 1000!! 15-20 years later, the old timers on the list still joke about it, mostly as an old timers/insider joke, partly because the guy who was building the FP passed on oh. 1-2 years back, and we mention it in his memory (Hint, old Barn silos have too much play/are not rigid enough to make a working pendilum)

 

[bluwolf]

Thanks for the welcome. I didn't expect my first post to show up so quickly. What's the difference between reply and quick reply? Can someone point to where all the features on this forum are explained so I'll have at least a few less dumb questions?

Edit: I found the FAQs. I should have looked first before asking, huh?

Mirage Man, I see you're in Florida, as am I. Is it considered bad manners to ask where in particular?

Mike

 

[gadget_lover]

Let me throw out a welcome too.

Like many, I came for the flashlights, got hooked on making things. Now I read more about aluminum alloys and end mills and other tools than I do about the latest LED from Lumileds, Osram or Cree.

It sounds like you have my shop. An 8x30 mill and a 7x12 lathe. I'm always amazed at what you can do with just those two items. And a belt sander. And a band saw. And a .... Oh well. There I go again.

Again, Welcome.

Daniel

 

[bluwolf]

Let me throw out a welcome too.

Like many, I came for the flashlights, got hooked on making things. Now I read more about aluminum alloys and end mills and other tools than I do about the latest LED from Lumileds, Osram or Cree.

It sounds like you have my shop. An 8x30 mill and a 7x12 lathe. I'm always amazed at what you can do with just those two items. And a belt sander. And a band saw. And a .... Oh well. There I go again.

Again, Welcome.

Daniel

Daniel,

Thanks for the welcome. I actually have a specific question for you. But I think I should probably start a new thread for it. It's about your quill DRO.

We may have similar shops but unlike you I'm always amazed by what I can't do with them. Another reason for being here. As for the belt sander and the bandsaw, I've got those too, along with a bunch of other woodworking tools, like a tablesaw and a couple routers, nail guns, etc. But I digress.... a lot.

 

[Mirage_Man]

Mirage Man, I see you're in Florida, as am I.

Mike

I'm in Clearwater. Where are you?

 

[StrikerDown]

Bluwolf,

Welcome.

I'm a newbie to machining also. Ask away, the questions us newbies ask are very informative to the other newbies... well, that and the answers are!

One caution though... The care and feeding of tools to these iron beasts can get real expensive!

 

[wquiles]

Welcome - hold on to your wallet :devil:

This is a great sub-forum to belong to. I have learned the little I know about machining from this sub-forum alone, and of course from lots of help from the members who lurk over here, like Brian, Mac, Barry, Daniel, and many more ;)

Will

 

[jhanko]

:welcome: Mike. You will find a wealth of information here, along with a friendly atmosphere unlike anywhere else. :grouphug: Your journey into flashaholicism has just begun...:clap:

Jeff

 

[bluwolf]

I'm in Clearwater. Where are you?

I'm in Ft. Myers. But I'll be up in Tampa next month, combination business/pleasure

Bluwolf,

Welcome.

I'm a newbie to machining also.

Yeah. But you're a newbie with a big honkin' new lathe:twothumbs

Welcome - hold on to your wallet :devil:

This is a great sub-forum to belong to. I have learned the little I know about machining from this sub-forum alone, and of course from lots of help from the members who lurk over here, like Brian, Mac, Barry, Daniel, and many more ;)

Will

Thanks Will. As I mentioned you're the one that lead me here. You and your pictorial of your PM12x36. I'm still hoping I can find a decent used lathe so I can spend the difference on tooling.

Mike

 

[mdocod]

Welcome!

Same story here, came for flashlights.... wound up changing my life with a new small business in a garage of tools :)

Great stuff, and great people here!

 

[bluwolf]

Welcome!

Same story here, came for flashlights.... wound up changing my life with a new small business in a garage of tools :)

Great stuff, and great people here!

What a great reason for buying tools. I just glanced at your stuff. I don't really understand it all yet. But I know a nice bit of machining when I see it. Very slick!

Mike