Welcome to IForgeIron

[Glenn]

There are several blacksmiths that are also machinists. This is where you can talk shop, machines etc.

We need some suggestions as to the sections you would like to see added to this subject. Mills, lathes, grinders, CNC, problem solving etc. Give us some feedback please.

Welcome to IForgeIron.

[canman]

Hello Everybody,
I am a machinist that does some welding and fabrication. I am trying blacksmithing as a hobby. I have been a member of this group for a short time.
I mostly lurk and try and pick up info. that I can use. I have been buying books off of ebay. Anyone know of any real good reference books I need to try and find? My time is very limited so I try and make the best of it. I have got some great info from this board and some project ideas too. Now if I can just find the time to try...........
Thanks,
canman

Remember to Pray for and Support our troops!

[Norseman C.B.]

I too am a machinist who has been doing smithing for a while as a hobby and hoping to make ends meet with it now. Its good to get back to the roots of this and other specialised iron and steel trades. I think that a machinist forum is a great idea and would be honored to help others with questions and ideas,
to those in need just as this site helps us newbie smiths....
By the way I am looking for a real good deal on a lathe and mill especially fixer upper types...

[yesteryearforge]

C.B Norseman
What size and or age of lathe are you looking for.
Where are you located
what about the freight charges etc.
I have a small second operation turret lathe
an old medium size heavy duty lathe
a clausing colchester ( probally 20 x 120 )
all are 3 phase

[scrapman1077]

I am a toolmaker in North Alabama. I do all kinds of work with metal from refining gold , fab work, mill and lathe work, casting small parts and some smithing.

[trying-it]

"Tools do not make a blacksmith; the blacksmith makes the tools."
Thanks Glenn for those pearls of wisdom.

Smithing & machining can & do go hand in hand quite well together. Having knowledge of both disciplines can only help to advance an individual's skills to even higher levels.

I 'smith to relieve internal stress!

I machine to make a living just as I have the last 35 yrs or more. I have endured more plant closings than I care to count. I own/operate a machine job shop along with welding & fabricating capabilities since 1984. I am what's known as a vendor or the "lowest bidder". To compete in the game, I must have a lot of tricks up my sleeves to do things better, faster, & more economically than the rest; and that's just for starters; i.e. I must also meet or exceed the quality levels expected by the customer.

My shop equipment may be a lot bigger than what others are accustomed too, but machine shop practices here remain the same. I am willing to contribute to IFI & this forum whenever I am called upon to do so. BTW: I like to call IFI chat home so look for me there & say "Hi" when you have a minute to spare!

[ApprenticeMan]

Thanks TI for those pearls of wisdom.

[Norseman C.B.]

Yesterman

thank you for the reply I havent been on site for a while and just now figured out how to find replies to my own threads (live and learn..) Im looking for a small lathe 12"x36" to 16"x48" and a small mill or benchtop mill/drill
As cost of items and available finances will permit...OH YEAH..single phase is a must as my shop is small and not wired for it

[Ed Thomas]

Norseman: Go big; go 3 phase. Since you are a machinist, you know the bigger machines are often in better condition, and are almost always cheaper than the little ones. With a rotary phase converter (RPC), you can run 3 phase equipment. I have a 5hp RPC on a 30 amp line that works just fine with my $100 5hp 16" Steptoe shaper, $600 3hp 9J Gorton mill, 2hp vertical shaper, my tool grinder, and Hardinge mill. Three phase equipment is usually cheaper and the motors are almost always better.

The most expensive machining tool in my shop is my $700 820 10" Logan lathe. By contrast, the 13" SB with 8' bed was practically free... bundled with a torch set I bought.

Granted, NONE of these tools are in spectacular condition, but they are great for a blacksmith. Cheap workhorses. Sometimes it amazes me that I ALL of my machining tools together cost less than just one of my power hammers. Supply and demand, of course.