 ELECTRONIC DIGITAL MICROMETER LCD MACHINIST TOOLS  US $54.99
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 machinist tools US $99.95
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 Aviation Aircraft Machinist Tools Burr Burrs CARBIDE x8 US $45.49
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Four decades ago, I asked my father "So, what is a machinist?" He thought for a moment then replied "A machinist is just a carpenter who works with metal instead of wood" (or words to that effect.) Well, although his response was greatly over-simplified, it made total sense to me at the age of 16 as I was about to enter into a fitting, turning and machining apprenticeship.
Over the next 5 years I came to know, use and love all the tools of the machinist in a very large engineering workshop - amongst many tradesmen and fellow apprentices.
In today's modern machine shops some things have changed dramatically since those days decades ago - but many things have remained the same.
More and more these days you will find the new 'computer numerically controlled' (CNC) machines replacing the old manually-operated work horses. And many of the boundaries between the old traditional tasks of turning, milling, grinding and drilling are becoming blurred with these new CNC multi-tasking machines.
During the apprenticeship stage of 'wannabe' machinists, then and now, there are some basic skills and tools that have to be mastered. These broad areas are: hand tools, cutting tools, machine tools, measuring tools, workholders and toolholders.
The hand tools, workholders and toolholders are still much as they always have been - but the machine tools have had some great advances over the years as mentioned previously with the CNC lathes etc.- and so too have many of the measuring devices - for example, the humble vernier calipers I used to know and love have progressed to dial calipers and now to the latest electronic versions with digital readouts.
I was lucky. Our big engineering company was generous with its apprentices. Every week we received a healthy tool allowance on top of our pay, so on a regular basis we would purchase new tools-of-the- trade to add to our personal toolboxes. Over the years I amassed an excellent tool kit - most of which I still have to this day. This included micrometers, vernier calipers, hammers, chisels, punches, dial indicator, screw drivers, spanners, drills, tool bits, scribes, taps, dies, rulers, pliers, hacksaws, clamps, files, cutters, allen keys, ratchets & sockets, torque wrenches, dial test indicator, angle gauges, radius gauges, feeler gauges, magnifying loupe, vise grips, depth micrometer, squares, vice, and …. I'm sure there were many more bits and bobs, but that's all I can remember for now.
Those were great days. (Well, except for the time I was sent by my tradesman to go get a very specialized piece of equipment called a "Long Weight" from another tradesman across the road. After a few hours of hanging around waiting for the gear - I finally clicked! 'A long wait.' I wonder if they are still pulling that one these days?)
Every day in machine shops all around the world you will find tradesmen and apprentices turning and grinding and milling and drilling all sorts of metals and plastics into endless shapes with great precision. Long may it be so.
Below you will find links to many great machining tools for sale today. Click on any of these that interest you for more information:
 Tap Die Set of 16pc Clock Watch Machinist Screw Tools US $21.99
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 Machinist Tools Drill Index Set US $36.00
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 lot micrometers fowler mitutoyo machinist tools US $26.99
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 Mitutoyo Machinist Telescoping gages Tools 5 16 To 6 US $33.75
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 Starrett Wood Box Micrometer WrenchesMachinist Tools US $24.99
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machinist tools US $99.95
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ELECTRONIC DIGITAL MICROMETER LCD MACHINIST TOOLS US $54.99
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 Aviation Machinist Pin Standards Tools US $545.00
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 Lot Of Assorted Machinist Tools Accesories US $26.00
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 BOX OF 3 VERMONT HAND TAPS 9 16 24 MACHINIST TOOLS NEW US $22.27
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 Starrett 0 3 micrometer set new machinist tools US $250.00
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 Machinist tools 12 Starrett level 98 wood box US $99.00
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 Starrett 4 pc combination square set machinist tools US $125.00
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 Machinist Tools Angle Plate V Block Sine Bar Parrallels US $31.99
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 MACHINIST tOOls Drill biTs LOT 1 2 15 13 9 6 6 in US $38.21
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 Machinist Tool Box Industrial Cleutt Peabody N Gros CT US $115.00
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Aviation Machinist Pin Standards Tools US $545.00
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 BHJ O ring tool Auto Machinist perf engine builder tool US $250.00
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There are many manufacturers of machinist tools producing excellent products on the market today. For example, the Starrett company has been producing high quality machining tools for toolmakers, machinists and craftsmen for over 130 years. Mitutoyo, founded in 1934, also manufactures an excellent line of precision measuring devices for the machinist, such as dial indicators, micrometers and calipers.
Hi, I am writing to see if I can find out the worth of my Grandpas old metal lathe and accessories, he made parts for the government in WWII for tanks with it, we have many different cutting tools , reemers, bits and misc some are brand new. Not sure where to look to find out what they are worth. Thanks! Lyn
A good place to look would be PracticalMachinist.com and bbs.homeshopmachinist.net
A lot of the stuff isn’t worth a whole lot, but it really depends on the brand and condition.
For example a very worn Atlas lathe isn’t going to be worth much, while a better Southbend could bring a nice chunk of change.
Checking recently sold on ebay should give you an idea too.
Or if you would like to learn a little more about the lathe than just the price,
check it out on this website.
http://www.lathes.co.uk/page21.html
Good luck!
I have an item I believe is either a machinist’s or a boilermaker’s measuring device. Would you take a look at the photos and tell me what you think it might be?
You can email me with your answer and I’ll send the photos if you agree.
Thanks,
Bill