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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

machining old tractor parts

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Dean Minnesota

02-21-2004 19:19:38




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Does anyone on this forum machine their own tractor parts? If you do, how much experience does it take, and whats about the normal amount of money one can expect to pay for good enough used equipment to do the job.




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Dave_Id

02-22-2004 07:15:23




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 Re: machining old tractor parts in reply to Dean Minnesota, 02-21-2004 19:19:38  
I'll sell you my complete moldmaking operation for $100,000. Includes CNC Mill, EDM, lathe, mill, surface grinder, radial drill, pantograph, heliarc, cutter grinder, and all support tooling.



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Vern-MI

02-22-2004 04:53:21




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 Re: machining old tractor parts in reply to Dean Minnesota, 02-21-2004 19:19:38  
It would eventually be nice to have access to or own an Arc Spray, Flame Spray, or Plasma Spray system for building up surfaces or repairing cracks in old worn parts.



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Davis In SC

02-21-2004 20:59:07




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 Re: machining old tractor parts in reply to Dean Minnesota, 02-21-2004 19:19:38  
I have been in a shop for over 25 years, the last 12 in my own. It is hard to make one or 2 parts & come out, if they can be bought. If you want to do it as a hobby, that is great. A lot depends on how much free time you have. There is a surplus of used machine tools on the market now, due to shops closing. Like the previous posts stated, take a course at the local tech school, just to learn the basics, unless you have some experience on machine tools.

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Geo in SD

02-21-2004 20:07:56




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 Re: machining old tractor parts in reply to Dean Minnesota, 02-21-2004 19:19:38  
While I don't make any tractor parts at this time, I'm considering getting back into machining small parts in the near future. I was a tool and die maker for 10+ years and had my own shop, doing precision dies and built custom rifles, reloading dies, and other accessories. I would suggest a pretty good lathe, 15x60 or so ,about 5 hp would probably be about all needed. A decent Bridgeport mill, a cylindrical grinder, a surface grinder, and possibly a heat treat furnace. Also you would need to learn about the characteristics of different steels, feeds and speeds, drilling, tool sharpening, tempering and drawing, tooling in general, and a host of other things. I bought the major pieces of equipment for around 15000.00, and the tooling cost almost that much more. I hope I haven't scared you off, but to do a good job, you need good equipment, and the proper tooling to go with. With the aforementioned equipment and the knowledge with it you could manufacture almost anything. If you watch around for sales and such, you could probably get into a line of machinery for less money,also. HTH

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Geo in SD

02-21-2004 20:26:09




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 Re: Re: machining old tractor parts in reply to Geo in SD, 02-21-2004 20:07:56  
Also, like rhudson mentioned, if you aren't careful, you can buy a big boat anchor. A lot of the used machinery out there is incapable of doing any kind of precision work. It is plain wore out. I've seen lathes sell at auctions for 1500.00 that were just that-a boat anchor. The machines will have to hold at least .001 to be useable in my opinion, better if they can hold .0005. While a tractor isn't the most precision thing, the difference between .001 and .005 can and will mean fit or no fit and run or not run.

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rhudson

02-21-2004 20:02:34




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 Re: machining old tractor parts in reply to Dean Minnesota, 02-21-2004 19:19:38  
Hi Dean,
First off, Machining is not something just anyperson can learn, its an attitude. but since you're interested. i would say that it takes about two years training (say at a local community college) to learn how not to loose any fingers or eyes or damage the equipment. then with another two years of apprenticeship under an old timer you could consider yourself a machinest. the equipment can be found, but do yourself a favor, find yourself an old machinest that can evalutate the stuff before you invest in what could be a very big and heavy boat anchor. i would say that a lath could be had for about $2-3K, alot cheaper if you keep an eye out. a universal milling machine for about the same. throw about 3 or 4 thousand more in measuring instruments and tooling and you're set to go. ok maybe not that bad, you can take it slow, purchase tooling as you need it. the best bargain going is enrolling in the community college, the instructors will more than likely help (advise) you with the machining of you repair or replacement parts. its a wonderfull craft one that is almost lost in america today.

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Lucky

02-21-2004 21:10:11




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 Re: Re: machining old tractor parts in reply to rhudson, 02-21-2004 20:02:34  
Or you can get real lucky and find a complete old line shaft shop that is closing because of the owner dying at age 103 and his kids selling everything including the old IHC engine that was used in the begining for under $500.00 just to get it out of the way.



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rhudson

02-22-2004 18:09:34




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 Re: Re: Re: machining old tractor parts in reply to Lucky, 02-21-2004 21:10:11  
You won't beleive this but i have sometimes have dreams something like that,,only to wake up. sometimes i try to go back to sleep.



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