Projects In Metal, LLC Free Metalworking Projects, Plans, Tips, and Tricks for the Amateur Machinist

In this metalworking project Jim walks us through the steps required to build a handy cross slide retractor for the lathe. This modification simplifies the threading process by allowing the user to quickly retract the threading tool away from the part with a lever rather than by using the cross feed dial. It's also useful when making finish passes as the tool can be retracted prior to moving the carriage (thus your tool doesn't drag across the finished surface). The dimensions in the free drawings for this modification are for the popular G0602 10x22 lathe by Grizzly, but the drawings can be easily modified to fit the dimensions of other lathes. Read More »

Russ shows us his handy tap guides that are easy to make and convenient to have! Read More »

Harold Hall shows us how to make a simple rotary table for the home shop. Each step is fully documented with over 20 excellent photos. Read More »

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I’ve put up a video on YouTube showing the DIY punch and die process that I mentioned last week using twist drills and scrap. I had a couple of members who had some questions about the process so I thought a video would be the easiest solution. Let me know what ... Read More »

Punch an die sets are expensive, and generally limited in the number sizes. But I figured out an easy way to make a complete set of punches and dies for every size in my 115 piece drill index . . . for free. Interested? Read on.  To leave a comment join the forum discussion on this post Read More »