Recent content by Ian.stewart

AES, Filing is the best way to teach how to handle hand tool it teaches stance, precision, understanding materials, the other misunderstood tool in the workshop is the hammer, there is more skill in wielding a hammer than most will understand

That looks like a good deal with the lathe, the "strange" attachment I would also concur that its some type of ball or radii turning attachment, and a sturdy one at that, collets and draw bar too. milling attachments you cant complain about that haul.... its a big lump tho... You say you...

I have had a few apprentices in my time as a engineer, and turned out a couple of good engineers that I am proud of, Filing low grade Aluminium such as LM6 will always clog a file, there is on way that seems to work for me, is Blind the teeth of the file with blackboard chalk, This "blinding"...

Phil, I am at the moment in about the same position with my mercury, Its a bit different to yours as My chuck was retained by a Jacobs taper, (JT2) as far as I can tell, If anybody knows how to remove the taper from the quill, that would be helpful, my top screw ring has a taper pin thru it...