Category Archives: Machine Shop

Making Acrylic Domes

Posted on October 31, 2021 by jimhannon

This is part of a project to make and improved enclosure for my all sky meteor camera and domes for other instruments that look at the sky. Looking around on the WEB I found some YouTube videos showing making acrylic … Continue reading →

Posted in Amateur Science, DIY, environmental monotoring, Machine Shop, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Paper Tube Rolling Machine

Posted on October 19, 2020 by jimhannon

An important item to build black powder rocket motors is strong parallel rolled paper tubes. Paper tubes have an number of advantages for rocket motors. They are inexpensive especially if you make them yourself. They are biodegradable and if the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, DIY, Machine Shop, Pyrotechnics, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Telescope Mount Adapter

Posted on June 25, 2019 by jimhannon

The University of Iowa donated the Rigel robotic telescope to the Cedar Amateur Astronomers. Plans are to install this telescope in one of the domes at the observatory. To mount the scope an adapter is needed to connect the scope … Continue reading →

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Building A Sand Muller

Posted on May 28, 2018 by jimhannon

To do sand casting a muller is almost a necessity. It is difficult to mix up foundry sand either green sand or oil bonded sand without a muller. I have been thinking about how to build a muller for some … Continue reading →

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Laser Cut Gaskets

Posted on January 20, 2018 by jimhannon

Now and then I need gaskets for one of my projects. Of course I could cut a gasket out of a sheet of gasket material with scissors or X-acto knife and use punches for the holes but using a laser … Continue reading →

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Bandsaw Stand

Posted on October 9, 2017 by jimhannon

I have had a 4X6 inch horizontal bandsaw from Harbor Freight for years. It works reasonably well. I have cut a lot of metal with it. The stand that came with it however leaves a lot to be desired. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Machine Shop, Metal Working, welding | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Mill Clamping

Posted on October 6, 2017 by jimhannon

Now that my shop build is finished I can get on with some projects. Some of my upcoming projects will need a way to hold small irregular parts in the mill/drill. Several home shop machinists on the web describe making … Continue reading →

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Simple Scissor Lift

Posted on June 11, 2017 by jimhannon

In building my shop I spent some time thinking about how I was going to put the ceiling up. Metal pole building sheets were my choice for covering the ceiling. They are light weight, fireproof and already painted. The problem … Continue reading →

Posted in DIY, Machine Shop | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

CNC Laser Cutter / Engraver Build

Posted on January 10, 2017 by jimhannon

I see a number of articles on the WEB about using a blue laser around 2 watts for cutting and engraving. A lot of times the laser is attached to a 3D printer. Now I have a 3D printer but … Continue reading →

Posted in 3D printing, CAD, CNC, Crafts, DIY, Electronics, Machine Shop, Software | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

DRO for my MIll

Posted on May 29, 2016 by jimhannon

Like most of my blog posts this is not meant to be a “how to” but rather a “how did” in hopes that someone will find useful ideas for their projects. It has gotten a bit frustrating using my milling … Continue reading →

Posted in DIY, Machine Shop, Metal Working | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments