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Dan sent in his $200 machine shop, here's what he put together - "...I spent some time thinking about it and decided that it might actually be possible to put together a rudimentary machine shop capable of doing some small mill and lathe work for about $200. It is nothing fancy, but it does work and can be put together for about $200. The main part of it is based on 3 main components: a drill press, a cross slide vice, a mini chuck. This combined with some end mills, lathe bits and a dial indicator and you are ready to rock" - Link.
$200 Machine shop
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jun 8, 2006 02:35 AM
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Jose Rodriguez has a video on this topic and Rudy has one too.
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The spindle on a drill press isn't really designed to handle the side loads that milling and turning can place on it.
It will work, though. I've milled straight slots in plastic with my drill press by chucking up a router bit, clamping some guides to the drill press table, then pushing the stock through by hand.
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The next step up is about $500, Here's a review site-
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Versions/versions.htm
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Dan... your jiggered drill would be great to take a few fingers off; and maybe even an eye or two. You missed the entire point of the program.
Most people think innovating needs milling machines (like the 7000 pound 25HP machine I own), lathes, and gauges and CNC and the like.
The point is to allow people to easily and safely make the things they want. Scroll saws can do that and much much more. And people can easily pick one up and get fairly instant results. Also, they are very safe to use.
We prototype much in my shop with a scroll saw even though we have a Zcorp 310a, a Haas VF-2, Mig Welding and other such equipment. The goal is to quickly and inexpensively test many ideas. Not to see how much ferrous metal we can cut and then throw away.
And remember, most people DON'T have the experience needed to safely use high-end machining tools. And I recommend they stay away from devices that could hurt them (like the one shown in your photos for example). It is best to get people started with tools they can safely handle.
And that is why the seminar was created; to show people how to make prototypes in a $200 machine shop. What did you think we were going to teach; how to make a full range CNC lathe and CNC Mill for $99 each? Be serious.
To everyone who wishes to create their ideas, I give you full permission to use scroll saws, jig saws, Dremels, Rotozips, coping saws and other low priced tools, and encourage you to ignore the TOOL SNOBS who may look down on you. The tools you use do not define the quality of your idea or the value of who you are.
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One more thing... the Technique we often use with our Scroll saw is to first draw our parts into CAD. Then print them out on label stock in 1 to 1 ratio. This allows us to apply our design to Aluminum or Wood and to cut our part out in a few minutes. Is is simply and by using free CAD and a low cost Scroll Saw we are making parts in minutes for pennies.
Search for Frankenstein Prototyping(TM) and you will find articles we have written about the techniqe and resouces to get free software... AND MAKE MAKE MAKE as much as you would like. It's all good.
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