Hi Charles, Have you considered writing a series of articles on
converting an old dental drill into a milling machine? Makes about as
much sense to me as making a shopsmith, even the original iron ones,
into an engine lathe. As I see it, each SS multiuse module is a
compromise so I guess one could add yet another, but why put lipstick on
a pig? Understand, I like pigs, they are smart, but they are not draft
animals.

I remember that many woodturners, notably Mel Lindquist, now deceased,
but once a member of my N. Fl club, have turned fairly large and heavy
wood blanks and some have likely spun soft metals on these machines, but
for machining metal not only would rigidity seem to be a problem, but
also precision and accuracy seem to be in question. However maybe the
author can carry it off.

I'm not against multiuse machines. I've turned wood on my little Atlas
horizontal mill and I still have a shopsmith at my Maine camp, but I
don't turn gun barrels on it. I can see why this unusual endeavor would
pique your interest. Mine too. Keep us posted as the series unfolds. I
may have it all wrong and can learn something yet.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


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