Expert on nothing

[TomPi]

I'm a retired locksmith/safesmith. Trained the old way of hand making tools and parts for obsolete safes/locks/etc.

Now I'm a hobby machinist, kinda. Have a mini lathe that I'm upgrading to make it accurate. Building the rest of what I need as I need it.

Real handy with a drill press and a file.

Live in west central Missouri. South of Kansas City

[kbalch]

Hi TomPi,

Welcome!

Sounds as though you have some great traditional hand skills. Let's see some photos of your work.

What's next on your build list?

Ken

[Jon]

Hi TomPi - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

Do you see any builds on this site that pique your interest?

[DIYer]

Welcome to the forums, TomPi! Looking forward to seeing your homemade lock-related tools.

[TomPi]

I'm working on a new motor mount for my Harbor Freight mini lathe. If you have one you already know how asinine their design is. If not here's a short breakdown on how to adjust/dismount the motor.

1. Remove the control panel housing.
2. Working around the saddle drive screw loosen the two 6 mm nuts located behind the screw.
3. Adjust the motor by alternatingly tightening/loosening the mount nuts and the two set screws that adjust yaw and pitch ( I think).

When you think you have everything correct. Tighten it all up, reconnect the controls and run the motor to see if the timing belt is true or off a bit.

I'm making a mount that allows the motor to be adjusted from behind the lathe/ under the motor and does not require the removal of the control panel.

I just started but I am taking pictures as I go along. I'll post when complete

[TomPi]

Fixing my HF mini lathe. then build a mini mill. After that, mini cannons, motors, tools, who knows.

[TomPi]

Don't amke lock stuff any more. besides all the stuff I made is now obsolete. No electronics.

[TomPi]

Haven't done a seach yet. But I will.