When I need to mill something that's hard to set-up and hold, I use this 19" 3"x4" 3/8" thick angle iron. I just bolt on the head, ex manifold or whatever won't work out on the machine's mounting plate. I'll mill slots for even more universal mounting if…
Randy Torvinen Menahga, MN
I made this drill guide to quickly center existing lug stud holes when upgrading to larger lug studs in axles. To begin, the round bar needs to be approximately 2" long, and approximately 1/4" larger in diameter than the drill bit's size. Drill 1"deep into the…
Tom Nichols Joshua, TX
This is a quick & easy way to clean 3-jaw crankshaft grinder and lathe chuck scrolls. - Make a stubby chuck key driver for use in a cordless drill; quickly remove the jaws. - Insert a toothbrush in one of the jaw slots, then run the drill-driver…
Tom Nichols Automotive Machine & Supply, Inc. Joshua, TX
We modify small plastic bottles, purchased on-line, for cutting oil, tapping fluid, assembly lube, etc. We've tried bottles with dispenser tips, however those with metal "needle tips" can scratch parts, while the plastic tips are usually too short, or dispense too much and cause excess usage and waste.…
Tom Nichols Automotive Machine & Supply, Inc. Joshua, TX
Sometimes a machinist's protractor is too cumbersome in cramped spaces to compare angled surfaces on a part. A feeler gauge set works very well as a protractor in tight spots. Modify the gauge by adding a screw and nut to lock it in position. Tom Nichols Automotive Machine…
Tom Nichols Automotive Machine & Supply, Inc. Joshua, TX
Checking and calibrating your installed height gauges is something that should be done occasionally. If the height is off, simply reference mark where the scale ring needs to be, heat, remove and reinstall in the correct position. Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN AUGUST, 2023
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
To boost efficiency on a job using a manual lathe, making custom valve cover nuts, we set up a center drill in a separate tail-stock chuck. Swapping the two chuck/drill is much faster and less work than swapping drill bits in and out of a single chuck. Fit…
Tom Nichols Automotive Machine & Supply, Inc. Joshua, TX
With the proliferation of so many different engines, it seems you just don't have the correct length (LS engines) or metric pitch that you need to make the lifting and fixturing task easier. Being the pack rat that I am, I put my extra bolt drawer to…
Timm Jurincie Tuf-Enuf Performance Avondale, AZ
To precisely shorten bolts in the lathe I made slotted collets for each bolt diameter. They are fractional in length to measure off the end, so you know where to cut for your length. I've used large o.d. valve guides and aluminum round stock. Just make the collet…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Shop Menahga, MN
Improve the grip on cast parts or multiple parts in a milling vise by inserting Gasket Paper between the vise's moveable jaw and the part. Gasket paper is thick enough to conform to irregular cast surfaces and/or compensate for small differences in multiple parts; yet it still…
Tom Nichols Automotive Machine & Supply, Inc. Joshua, TX