Setting up a new workshop

I recently had a garage fire which destroyed my workshop area contained within.  the room was devastated (as was I), the fire destroying all of my hand and power tools and machines.   As well as work in hand and some finished models and work stored within.  My extensive materials collection has very little left to salvage.  It was incredible to see the effect that fire and water has on what were impeccable machines,    Fortunately my plans, designs and extensive library were stored elsewhere. 

Edited By Terryd on 11/07/2010 08:19:19

Very sad to hear of the demise of your workshop Terry.
I have not endured the type of catastrophe that you have suffered but have had the lot stolen on several occasions (no insurance)
Personally I am quite happy with a belt drive Taiwanese mill drill though if I had my druthers I would go for one with a dovetail column.  Just very occasionally the round colum can cause you problems as the inability to raise and lower accurately limits your Z axis work hieght.  As to a lathe, I bought a Chinese 9 x 20 just over a year ago and could not be more happy with it.  Again if druthers came into it I would have to say that spending a little more would have gotten me on with a gearbox for changing spindle speeds. If you have a look around you will notice that many of the machines in this size are now coming with variable speed drives so that that coupled to a decent gearbox for the lead screw would pretty well answer my requirements.
Both machines are capable of taking some fairly heavy cuts and producing accurate work.  With what you want to spend on them I think you will come out with some decent machinery.
As to metric versus everything else, I too wanted a metric only workshop but it seems it is just not possible.  Although I don't make models, I am still at the stage of getting all of the acccessory tooling made, you still require some UNF for working with screw in drill chucks and whitworth if you want to work on engine blocks.  Almost all of my threading tooling is metric but I still have to add in other bits occasionally.  You will also find that although all of the world is happy with Metric, one of our satellites, the USA is not.  They still consume more of the planet than everybody else so you may find that although the leadscrew and dials on your milling machine are metric, the draw bolt and the bolts for the handles will probably be UNF.
As you are conversant and apparently comfortable with metric, I would go that way and just add in any small bits you require as you need them.

Lawrie

Edited By Ramon Wilson on 11/07/2010 12:51:18

with no lives lost and a roof still over your head , I hope some thing  positive can come out of your disaster

                              Best Regards

                                                          John 

I must admit that it is the determination to carry on and rebuild which is supporting me at the moment and keeping me positive, it would be very easy to give up and become a disillusioned couch potato.  I couldn't stand that, I may then even be forced to watch the English football team, a fate worse than death perhaps.

Edited By Terryd on 11/07/2010 16:28:49

I managed to salvage a few minor pieces from the ashes now that they have finally cooled.  I just thought that I'd give you a fright to start you thinking .

 

Grinding rest after fire and efforts of firefighters :-

 

 

Makes you think? 

Edited By Terryd on 11/07/2010 23:29:21