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By Birk Petersen
By far our most popular article reprint. Orginally ran in Machinist's Workshop, August 1999, Volume 12, Number 4. 13 page article with B&W photos and diagrams. Build a hand-cranked crusher for your recycling efforts.
John Benjamin has been building firearms for many years. Some of the nation's most successful benchrest rifle barrels have been built by him. Part of his secret is the fantastic heat-treating furnace he built. He shows and describes how it is built, and how it is used.
by John Benjamin
Barrels are heated in a vertical position, and gently brought to a stage of stillness evenly throughout their entire length. His furnace has been used over 300 times without any evidence of wear. A bill of materials is included. 45 minutes
by Rudy Kouhoupt
Here's a fast, free-running Stirling cycle hot air engine DVD that offers some machining challenges and hours and hours of fun. Dimensioned drawings (actual size) and outline are included. 3 hours 40 minutes.
Quentin Breen, his volunteers and one employee have hand built every single one of the track sections. With pre-built forms, pre-cut parts and power equipment, a person can assemble a 12-foot straight, curved or wye section in a very short time. Quentin narrates the process as his employee assembles some sections from start to finish.
Using just a small mill and your lathe, you can learn how to cut your own spur gears. Terms and techniques all covered. Charts and tables are included. 45 minutes.
Watch a brief clip from the DVD.
MagniClips Magnifiers are effective for people who need to focus at an intermediate distance such as a computer screen, or to do crafting or needlework. Close-up tasks such as threading a needle or working on miniatures come into view with MagniClips Magnifiers. Even non-glasses wearers can wear them over the sunglasses when working or reading outside.
Easily carried in a purse or pocket, they'll be an indispensable item. You may need more than one pair for the car, kitchen, workshop and pocket.
+2.00 is similar in strength to moderately weak reading glasses.
You may remember Rudy's article in The Home Shop Machinist called "Old Iron." This video shows you the various functions on his reconditioned shaper and how you can operate one yourself. 2 hours.
by Steve Bleile
This DVD was produced in 1998 and covers all aspects of oxy-acetylene welding techniques and safety concerns. 42 minutes.
by Steve Acker
Steve goes to work on the lathe and mill to make an accurate custom bolt action hunting rifle. The result is a fairly light, stable and reliable firearm. He demonstrates techniques for truing the bolt face and lugs, threading and crowning a new barrel, recutting the receiver threads, machining the recoil lug, and much more. 2 hours 30 minutes
Often, getting underway on a project -- reading the drawings and doing the required markup on the metal -- can be the most challenging part. Rudy discusses every layout tool from his vast collection and demonstrates its function. He also gives you a detailed look at mechanical drawings and how to interpret them. This tape is a must for every novice machinist. 1 hour 30 minutes.
This DVD was produced in 2000. Steve describes and demonstrates several basic aspects of arc welding, as well as important safety concerns. 44 minutes.
This DVD provides more insight into "watching the puddle" to set the amperage, adjust the travel speed, and maintain the correct rod angle and arc gap. It also covers metal preparation, fit up, and welder skills for butt joints, lap joints, T-joints and corner joints. 45 minutes.
Steve shows how to have a rifle that is easier to shoot accurately, with little shift in zero, using only hand tools. Bedding techniques demonstrated on three styles of stock. His methods for mounting and lapping in a scope and crowning process will assure you of improved shooting. 2 hours
This rifle was first described in The Home Shop Machinist magazine, and now is in video form. Steve uses some techniques and state-of-the-art tools never before seen on video. Every step of machining the receiver, bolt, barrel and scope mounts is shown. He discusses and shows the various components, tools and products he uses when building this highly precise firearm. 2 DVDs. 4 hours 10 minutes
Steve demonstrates how a gunsmith can rework the Remington 700 bolt action rifle for more accuracy, using basic tooling and setups on the lathe and workbench. The work is done on a factory varmint rifle not as accurate as it should be, and which has long headspace. He improves bolt contact and the front receiver ring contact. 1 hour 35 minutes
Drilling, Reaming, Tapping and Milling on the Drill Press. Many people sell the drill press short when it comes to machining. Rudy demonstrates many operations that make it a very important part of your shop.
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