At 11:13 PM 8/16/2007, you wrote:
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>On Fri, Aug 17, 2007 at 11:26:51AM +0800, SM Ling wrote:
> > OK, I shall go with the flexible shaft.
> >
> > >> For the workstation you can't just plunge the drill
> > > down. You have to allow the speed on the bit to do the
> > > work.
> >
> > >Agreed - you should never push hard enough to drop the speed 
> significantly.
> >
> > Hearing from piclist make some Amazon reviews more believeable.
> >
> > Thanks, and I have read more on the mini-lathe and mil.  The 
> price mentioned
> > by Spehro is not so prohibitive compare to the handicap without one.
> > Spehro, any good recommendation for an affordable mini-mill ?
>
>I'd suggest you take a look at the sherline lathe and mill, sherline.com
>
>They may be a bit too small for what you need, for instance 10mm bore
>vs. the 20mm the lathe spehro mentioned, but they are very nicely made
>machines with a very wide range of acessories available. I own both a
>lathe and a mill myself, the latter converted to CNC operation.
>
>Anyway, just a good option to know about.

I have both a Sherline lathe and mill, and find the size and lack of rigidity
a bit limiting, but they are certainly tiny and light. You can pack them up
and put them on a shelf etc. when not in use. They're more carefully 
made than the
made-in-China Grizzly/Harbor Freight type of stuff, but if I were to
make a purchase today I'd go for the latter. That said, I have no great
desire to part with the little lathe or mill, even with larger stuff 
available.

If you're in the San Diego area (Vista) it's worth trying to get a 
factory tour,
it's an interesting place. The boss Joe Martin has a good book on small scale
machining that's well worth the cost as well.

Best regards,

>- --
>http://petertodd.org
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