Malcolm L.'s Profile

2 Reviews

I have rented both this "Bridgeport Mill" DVD and the "Lathe Learnin'" series by the same author. I loved them all. I have been lucky enough a few times to have worked with guys like this that share tips and tricks that save time and strain but still turn out work that is accurate and quality oriented. (This guy builds tools for NASCAR teams among others, so he knows what's needed.) He may be casual but he's a machinist I'd like to work next to for a good while.

Let's face it, most of the manual Bridgeport type mills are now in the hands of small shops and individuals; the quantity production work and high precision stuff is being done with megabucks CNC. The rest of us are delighted to learn how to work easily within 1 or 2 thousandths in the manner this video shows. I use my ancient Bridgeport and my other shop equipment to build and maintain parts for other vintage machines and antique vehicles. This DVD was perfect for my needs and I recommend it.

Besides, what's not to love about a small Texas shop with a hound dog walking around in the background (and obviously drinking out of the toilet); this is real life in the shop!

I have rented both this set and also the "Bridgeport Mill" set by the same author. I find the author's style and delivery very true to life and conducive to learning. I am not a beginner and my old South Bend 16" X 72" can still do a few tricks. Nevertheless I learned some neat stuff in these DVDs (and wish my lathe would ramp up and brake like the newer model in the video). The author (is his name "Puddy"? See disk 5) passes along some techniques that are fantastic and are the type of thing not taught in trade schools or shop classes. You have to learn this stuff from skilled machinists who are willing to help out the junior guys like the rest of us.

This DVD may not be immediate help to the new 7 x 10 Chinese lathe owner but the basic techniques are the same and will be helpful for any size lathe. The section on lathe tool grinding is worth the price of the set; simplify, simplify, simplify!

I wish I lived in Texas so I could stop by this shop and watch some more.