Craftsmanship in Wood

Believe me, I'm long sold on the utility of a milling machine. The main questions in my mind surround things like: learning curve, what I can/want to fit in my shop vs. rigidity vs. work envelope, etc. Fortunately, there's a massive co-op in the region which is a good-to-great educational resource, and it includes a pretty nice machining and welding facility. It's a bit of a trek from me, but not bad for doing classes, hitting open studio times to compare notes on projects and get advice, etc.

Got the remaining bits on the way. 48” of aluminum extrusion, some tabs to hold stock and more bolts. I’ll mount this so it can be slid over to one side to support stock or kept centered. It will help this machine tremendously to have this outrigger.

Finally I’ll build some wooden stops.

Did you get the chisel bushing yet?

Howdy Chris,

Not sure how I missed your comment. Last few weeks has been a wirlwibd however. I got the bushing and I made some square holes. Used it to make some draw bored mortise and tenons recently.

I resized some pics. Got the extrusion and made up some brass bits for rail clamps.







I'm adding some Aigner style stops to it, made in maple next.

I'm hoping this will lend itself to adding air clamps in the future, I hate that eccentric clamp.

Looking good! Have you had a chance to try out those bits yet and see how the whole thing works?

Thank you! Yes, I got a chance to cut some square holes, they work pretty well but I quickly realized that I need a way to sharpen the chisels. So, that is the next hurdle.