New frontier for hobby machinist today

[SmithDoor]

Machine Shop Armoire ​

​

This probably the new frontier for hobby.
1) Low cost
2) Space saving
3) Easy to move
4) Low cost in materials
5) Use it for mill too


I first look at mini as just a ????
After for over year it is nice.
I changed because needing to downsize. With a few upgrades like a good tool post made great lathe.

Then later talking to son lacking space. So then we look hobby Armoire. He looking at other hobbies.

Has any one did this or seen it done?
Maybe photos

Dave

Great for a wedding anniversary gift.

 

[ShopShoe]

That does look very good and useful. Reminds me that my father and other guys setting up home shops in the 1950s were on the lookout for discarded "Hoosier" kitchen cabinets as those were being thrown out as more modern wall-mounted kitchen units were installed. (Google for examples.)

--ShopShoe

 

[SmithDoor]

That does look very good and useful. Reminds me that my father and other guys setting up home shops in the 1950s were on the lookout for discarded "Hoosier" kitchen cabinets as those were being thrown out as more modern wall-mounted kitchen units were installed. (Google for examples.)

--ShopShoe

I think it is coming.
If look at sewing at one it was done all over the home.
Over the last 40 years we see more Sewing cabinets and Armoire made for hobby.

Dave

 

[Lloyd-ss]

I think if you got it set up the way you wanted it, and then had the discipline to stay within those confines, it could solve some serious organizational and housekeeping problems. I look at my electronics hobby stuff scattered around my shop, mixed in with more machining, automotive, airgun, and wood working "stuff", and the electronics is a perfect candidate for one of those Armoire solutions. Unfortunately, the other hobbies strongly resist being corralled in a sensible manner. Its a stupid mind game I play with myself..

 

[SmithDoor]

I think if you got it set up the way you wanted it, and then had the discipline to stay within those confines, it could solve some serious organizational and housekeeping problems. I look at my electronics hobby stuff scattered around my shop, mixed in with more machining, automotive, airgun, and wood working "stuff", and the electronics is a perfect candidate for one of those Armoire solutions. Unfortunately, the other hobbies strongly resist being corralled in a sensible manner. Its a stupid mind game I play with myself..

I have a hobby shop.
I downsizing because of health and age.
The biggest is my wife ask me to.

I had ran across this and hopping it will help others getting to model engine building in small places

There lot living in apartments and homes without garages today.
They need ideas on how to machine in places like Travel Trailer homes (200 square feet & up).

Dave

 

[stanstocker]

While focused on small machines, Joe Martins "tabletop Machining" has some examples of hiding away a small Sherline setup with lathe and mill. The Sherline web page has much of this info located on the page:

https://www.sherline.com/workshop/

Won't help out those with Kern VMC's and Tornos lathes, but folks with that sort of hardware tend to have room to use the machines

 

[stanstocker]

I think if you got it set up the way you wanted it, and then had the discipline to stay within those confines, it could solve some serious organizational and housekeeping problems. I look at my electronics hobby stuff scattered around my shop, mixed in with more machining, automotive, airgun, and wood working "stuff", and the electronics is a perfect candidate for one of those Armoire solutions. Unfortunately, the other hobbies strongly resist being corralled in a sensible manner. Its a stupid mind game I play with myself..

Right up until you develop a fetish for designing transmission line speakers and the large shop space is the best location to use a calibrated microphone, while working around partially completed sections for a model rail layout. At least most of my larger woodworking machines are on wheels.

Too many hobbies, too much pleasure in all of them. It's a fortunate thing to deal with, so many folks have few if any real interests that get them energized to do things. Flip side - too many years of "Save it for parts!"

 

[SmithDoor]

While focused on small machines, Joe Martins "tabletop Machining" has some examples of hiding away a small Sherline setup with lathe and mill. The Sherline web page has much of this info located on the page:

https://www.sherline.com/workshop/

Won't help out those with Kern VMC's and Tornos lathes, but folks with that sort of hardware tend to have room to use the machines

Been looking projects
Great collection and ideas

Thank you
Dave

 

[ShopShoe]

Without getting sidetracked into a research project......

I believe that Popular Mechanics, or was it Popular Science, featured some articles in the late 1960s or early 1970s on designing hobby workstations that could be stored in a standard clothes closet and rolled out when needed. When I was in High School I subscribed to or regularly purchased both magazines and dreamed of the day when I could move out on my own and do things like that. Meanwhile I used my parents' basement, garage, and backyard.

Archives of these classic D-I-Y magazines are online for your reading pleasure.

--ShopShoe

 

[SmithDoor]

Without getting sidetracked into a research project......

I believe that Popular Mechanics, or was it Popular Science, featured some articles in the late 1960s or early 1970s on designing hobby workstations that could be stored in a standard clothes closet and rolled out when needed. When I was in High School I subscribed to or regularly purchased both magazines and dreamed of the day when I could move out on my own and do things like that. Meanwhile I used my parents' basement, garage, and backyard.

Archives of these classic D-I-Y magazines are online for your reading pleasure.

--ShopShoe

Sound like we both same age group .
I remember the Popular Mechanic article.

I found online magazines is good goes back to 1920s
A lot good articles was repeated in 1960's.

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

Without getting sidetracked into a research project......

I believe that Popular Mechanics, or was it Popular Science, featured some articles in the late 1960s or early 1970s on designing hobby workstations that could be stored in a standard clothes closet and rolled out when needed. When I was in High School I subscribed to or regularly purchased both magazines and dreamed of the day when I could move out on my own and do things like that. Meanwhile I used my parents' basement, garage, and backyard.

Archives of these classic D-I-Y magazines are online for your reading pleasure.

--ShopShoe

Here is website I found https://www.worldradiohistory.com/index.htm

I download most of Popular Mechanics 1950’s and 1960's in phone for waiting at doctor office

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

I agree some parts.
See what you think?



Found on internet

[QUOTE To set up a mini metal lathe, consider the following:

Space Requirements: Allocate around 3 to 4 feet wide and 2 to 3 feet deep for the lathe itself
1.) Size and Portability: Ensure it fits your workspace
2.) Bed Length and Swing Over Bed: Determine the maximum size of the material you can work on
3.) Motor Power and Speed Control: Adjust speed for different materials
4.) Weight: Mini metal lathes can weigh between 10 to 150 pounds
5.) Motor Power: Some models have a larger motor for better performance.

Dave

 

[Roger Taylor]

Home Shop Machinist ran a one-page article, Machine Shop in a Closet-May/June 2011

 

[SmithDoor]

Home Shop Machinist ran a one-page article, Machine Shop in a Closet-May/June 2011

Looks great

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

Home Shop Machinist ran a one-page article, Machine Shop in a Closet-May/June 2011

The other part of smaller is kits and drawings for Armoire size shop what do you build .
I think most either look at current hobbies for making things or model engines. Back in the 1920s to 1950’s most basic on a 9" and very little to no milling. Most had a dream of manufacturering.

Today most just what to be relazing by hobby.

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

This would include the Handicap in the NEW FRONTIER
■■■■■ working Machines Accessible for Everyone
​

I have know people that built for Handicap in both wood and metal tools.
They till the lathe for better view. Lowing the machines down .
A plywood wood top that is thing ¾" and no front bord.


Tips like this help the Handicap get into engine building and other things.

https://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/woodworking-machines-accessible-for-everyone/

https://www.disabilityworktools.com/

I hope more in the group post on this subject and photos.

Dave

 

[ShopShoe]

This site used to have an area for threads about these issues. I was sorry to see it go away.

--ShopShoe

 

[SmithDoor]

This site used to have an area for threads about these issues. I was sorry to see it go away.

--ShopShoe

Odds are it was low activity.
I remember it too.
Back then most here was in there 50s and 60s now 16 years later.

It something I seen all my life.
Now with down sizing as everyone is get older it probably be a bigger topic.
It be more like notes on how to.

⫷-❋A list for both Apartments and handicap ❋-⫸
​

1. Hight of work top
2. SIZE of coasters or wheels. Note at least 4" [100mm] diameter a small size is hard to roll around.
3. What to makes the best top like plywood
4. Thickness I found ¾" plywood
5. Angle for lathe for easy access probably adjustable 0° to 15°
6. What best materials like steel frame and wood sides
7. SIZE for going through door openings max hight 78" in America
8. How to handle chips
9. How handle smoke
10. Project's
11. Other tools need

.

Just list getting things started

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

This site used to have an area for threads about these issues. I was sorry to see it go away.

--ShopShoe

Most here had little machinist training in hight school.
This helps in starting a hobby like this.
We need simple projects too.
This helps new to hobby or just want something fun could even be a Christmas gifts.

A little over year ago it was way off subject so when to a old electronic website. There only 4 others that said anything over the builded
But had almost 70,000 views. I think site at time only had 5,000 members This project had over 65,000 outside views. It increased the member ship a lot.

Most on site thread was lucky have 100 viewers.

It was just a fun project for myself. FYI I did post here too.

I do not think any built one
They just have fun reading. It was over 6 months from design to finish. I posted everything including my errors and redo.

Any projects where have many viewing the build is good.


Dave

FYI
The site is on old Tube Radios and Electronics. . Vacuum Tube Volt Meter
Very modern not