The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I was chatting to my machinist toolmaker friend to day he was telling me he is thinking of retiring he is 70 next birthday. Oh no I said what am I going to do for my gun smithing jobs etc. You will just have to tool up yourself he said and have a go.
My lathe is not big enough I said for serious gun smithing work. Come with me he said. So we went and had a chat to the Machine shop manager.
The outcome was To day I have been given a mig welder brand new. A bench drill that would cost a fortune to buy. Iv been told that they are shutting one of the machine shops down. They tried to sell the contents of the machine shop and failed so it's all going to be scrapped some of the machines are to be moved to our place but every thing else is to be scrapped. If you are intrested he said I'll take you through the the shop any thing you want take it. Apparently there are at least ten lathes vertical borers mills the whole ten yards. My friend who is thinking of retiring claimed a all most unused myford ml10 for his garage. I can not wait to have a look.

it seems you are an extremely lucky individual.

I would be over the moon to have such an opportunity. I've spent the last few months tryiung to figure out how best i could set up shop and get equipment, but its not exactly easy (or inexpensive for that matter)

Blimey - do you think he would wait until I can buy a bigger house!?

Hi Alpha1, have sent you a PM re any other kit that may be for sale. Seems a shame to scrap it.

Problem with heavy machinery lies in the transport and getting the item into place.

Something that cost £1000 will very quickly be a lot more once done.

They have rented one of the buildings three units down from were I work and are going to transfer some of the kit that they still have a use for the rest of it to be disposed of.
They are installing one of the lathes it has a 4 metre bed god knows how big the chuck is apparently its used for machining lead parts for a contract they have.
A lead smelter is being installed apparently the castings use several tonnes of lead so they all ways have a stock of lead to feed it. (Giggle) he he. Ooops sorry.
I think most of the stuff is to big for hobby use but I'm going to have a good look around once we get organised.
Whatever they bring over I will have access to it.
They are installing the Hardinge tool makers lathe and a couple of mills as well should be fun.
Oh and we are getting a coded welder and all the welding gear.

I was a toolmaker for 6 years after I left school. I would love a set up like our old toolroom. The ideas for bits and bobs I could make don't stop coming but the ability to realise them has gone. Roll on that lottery win!

I'm eligible for retirement next month they have got no chance of me leaving now.