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The "Old Man's Shop"
I thought you might like to see where and how I create all these custom fittings...
The Lathe is a South Bend 9” swing lathe that my Grandfather bought brand new from South Bend Lathe Works on December 28th, 1948. I got it out of storage when I decided to try to make parts for some of my very first kites; now I also make them for you. This machine is the most used machine in the shop. It is a machine that holds the cutting tool still, and rotates the stock to make round parts.
I then bought a Vertical Mill, this machine holds the stock still, and rotates the cutting tool to make flat parts. Other stuff I’ve collected in the shop: three different size drill presses, two disc sanders, one disc & belt sander, one 2 stone grinder, one wire brush & buffer, one chop saw, two electric spar cutters, one band saw, and one 4’ by 10’ glass top light table. In addition, all kinds of hand tools; and, would you believe my collection of different size drills: Fractional, number, and letter = 115, Metric = 32, Morse Taper = 25, Deming = 6. That’s a total of 178 different sizes or types. Of course I also have 14 straight, tapered, or adjustable reamers; and, 29 collets.
Oh, I almost forgot upstairs... ten sewing machines, one thread wrapping lathe, and one 3’ by 6’ glass topped light table & adjustable opaque projector.