Question for Machinists

[cmort666]

I've gotten back into photography heavily in the last year or so.

In the process, I've often found the need for items, that I'd much rather DIY than buy, especially when I can make something for $10 instead of buying it for $250.

Living in a two bedroom apartment, I'm somewhat limited in my ability to fabricate stuff from scratch. It's much easier for me to repurpose things than to make them outright. I'm certain a lot of basic components are generic to a hundred applications.

The problem I've run into is while I might know EXACTLY what I need, I have no idea what things are commonly called. That makes it hard to search for them, even online.

One example is slotted aluminum pieces like the pivoting arms used to mount spotting scopes on bullseye pistol boxes. I'd be ASTONISHED if similar items weren't used in 10,000 applications, and available off the shelf in a dozen sizes.

Is there a basic manual and or catalog of such things to which I can refer?

Vague Google searches almost ways return vague (and useless) results.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[BigBoy99]

Perhaps if posted a picture of the item you a talking about would help. It may have another name which when Googled, it would find it exactly.

 

[cmort666]

Perhaps if posted a picture of the item you a talking about would help. It may have another name which when Googled, it would find it exactly.

I'm thinking in more general terms.

If there's a general guide, I can refer to that rather than repeatedly asking "What's this called?" I can just look it up myself.

Besides, there are things of which I don't have pictures. I'd have to draw them either in Corel Draw, or by hand and scan them.

 

[oldman10mm]

A lot of my fabrication stock comes from 'speedy metals' online. Grainger is good reference. Locally I just search in the stores of Home Depot and Lowes. Sometimes I order from Fastenal.

 

[cmort666]

A lot of my fabrication stock comes from 'speedy metals' online. Grainger is good reference. Locally I just search in the stores of Home Depot and Lowes. Sometimes I order from Fastenal.

I've done a little looking in Grainger.

Home Depot and Lowes are pretty useless for non-home or generic contractor stuff. I've certainly gotten a lot of use out of them, but usually not for anything more specialized than PVC pipe and bolts. I literally couldn't find jigsaw blades in the local Home Depot last week. If they had them, they were hidden, VERY well.

Virtually ALL of my mechanical knowledge comes from firearms, so it's sometimes hard for me to put names to things which a machinist or mechanic would instantly recognize.

If I had the resources, I'd just fabricate what I needed from scratch after designing it in Corel Draw. Unfortunately, apartment living inhibits some of that... along with the price of equipment. I'd love to have a small milling machine, but I can't afford one and would have no place to put it if I could.

 

[armorer951]

Brownells has bar stock, drill rod and other raw materials.

 

[cmort666]

Brownells has bar stock, drill rod and other raw materials.

As noted above, I have scant resources to work them.

But thanks for pointing out another source of raw materials. In some cases, I might be able to muddle through with a drill, jigsaw, Dremel and files.

 

[Milton]

Google "steel and aluminum stock" and follow the sites you find for small and large building materials.

 

[M29since14]

Reid Tool Supply might be able to help. They used to publish a nice catalog but I have not seen one in five years or so. Browsing through their catalog should give you some ideas.

 

[Bkreutz]

This is my main "go to " place. https://www1.mcmaster.com/#

 

[Tom S.]

If you can post a picture, especially one with dimensions, maybe someone can come up with something for you.

 

[cmort666]

Reid Tool Supply might be able to help. They used to publish a nice catalog but I have not seen one in five years or so. Browsing through their catalog should give you some ideas.

They're "Essentra" now. I downloaded their catalogs and will see what they've got that's of use.

Thanks.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I was in the machining/manufacturing business for 40 years, but I can't help you without a photo, drawing or a good description.

Have a blessed and Happy New Year.

Leon

 

[cmort666]

I was in the machining/manufacturing business for 40 years, but I can't help you without a photo, drawing or a good description.

Have a blessed and Happy New Year.

Leon

I'm not looking for a specific part right now.

What I'm looking for is a guide to basic machine parts. I'm looking for something that will give a rundown of basic machine principles and the parts which implement them. That will allow me to look things up, identify them and determine if they meet my specific needs.

 

[DeathGrip]

I think you're looking for mechanical engineering books. My dad had a set of old ones that had some really good break down of parts relationships for many things mechanical.

I wish I got my hands on them but I'm sure my brother has them or tossed them, more than likely tossed.

 

[cmort666]

I think you're looking for mechanical engineering books. My dad had a set of old ones that had some really good break down of parts relationships for many things mechanical.

I wish I got my hands on them but I'm sure my brother has them or tossed them, more than likely tossed.

Probably. Or industrial design.

I've got a really good drafting book, but nothing like that.

 

[DBenn]

Probably. Or industrial design.

I've got a really good drafting book, but nothing like that.

Post #10 has a link in it to McMaster-Carr.

That catalogue has a ton of info a DIYer can use and was a go to book when I was looking for oddball things when I worked in the trade.

 

[cmort666]

Post #10 has a link in it to McMaster-Carr.

That catalogue has a ton of info a DIYer can use and was a go to book when I was looking for oddball things when I worked in the trade.

There's a lot of useful information there.

Thanks to you and the OP.

 

[raljr1]

Mcmaster carr is a great resource

 

[PatriotX]

You will need this, or something like it.