Making a HEAVY DUTY Tool Post Grinder! | Part 1 | Shop Made Tools

We’re levelling up our lathe game and crafting a heavy-duty tool post grinder from scratch! In this first part, we're building a sturdy and reliable mount that will fit perfectly onto the top slide and serve as the foundation for our tool post grinder. Starting with steel plates, we'll show every step of the process of transforming them into a precision-engineered component. Our build begins with a large base plate and we use the lathe for drilling and boring the details for the mount to fit securely on the top slide. Next, we move to the milling machine for drilling and tapping holes in the plates that will become the spindle clamps. With the groundwork laid, we assemble the plates and weld everything together. Finally, to ensure the clamps are perfectly aligned and centered, we utilize the lathe for line boring, a process that guarantees concentricity and precise fitment for the spindles that we’ll be making in part 2! Whether you're a seasoned machinist or a DIY enthusiast, this build will be sure to give you some inspiration!

In this video we are using:
- Hafco TM-26120G Centre Lathe
- Hafco BM-63VE Milling machine
- WIA 500i Weldmatic welder

Check out all of our Shop Made Tools videos here:

Join our channel:

Check out our CEE Amazon store and explore our favourite finds that we use in the workshop:

To see more follow us on online here:

About Us:
We're a down-to-earth real life machining and fabrication workshop in Australia. We specialise in helping business in mining and earthmoving to keep their machines running smoothly. We love working on broken parts and the bigger the better! We upload new videos every week showcasing machining, welding, line boring, honing and all the other awesome stuff that goes down in our workshop. Learn how we tackle different projects and see the satisfaction of creating something useful. Subscribe to stay updated on our latest jobs and projects! Follow us on Patreon for even more content and behind-the-scenes glimpses or find us on Tiktok, Facebook and Instagram for a chance to connect with us.

#australianmachinist #machineshop #machinist

[CuttingEdgeEngineering]

Oops, we forgot to explain WHAT the tool post grinder will be used for 😅It will allow for precise grinding and finishing operations of parts and will be ideal for achieving tight tolerances on things like hardened shafts that usually can't be achieved by machining with inserts, the downside, it is messy and grinding dust can damage the lathe bed ways, so we will definitely be taking precautions when we put it to use😉
🔔Hit the notification bell so you never miss our new weekly video.
✍Leave a comment below with your questions or thoughts.

[Kalashnikovaby]

One of my favorite machine shop stories I like to tell people is that one time my grandfather threw together his own homemade tool post grinder. Except instead of high quality precision components and a 3-phase motor it was an angle grinder. Oh yeah, and the angle grinder was hose clamped to a boring bar. It's a wonder the man lived to 93.

[kenhawkins]

I have spent my entire career in precision machining, so it may seem odd that I enjoy your channel so much. The difference is that I worked on very small stuff. Rather than handling work with hoists and hilos, I'd use tweezers as a common method. Insepecting with microscopes and laser mics, checking flatness with prisms, etc.... Over the years, I rarely touched anything larger than my 0-1" micrometers. Working at the scale you do is very interesting to me.

THANKS from the rust belt of the USA!

[Collateralcoffee]

Just to say this.... what I LOVE about your videos: No music. Just the sound. Awesome.

[vanhagl]

“Buying a space telescope is very cost prohibitive at about $28, 000, 000. With a bit of scrap from around the shop I think I can make one for around $700.” -Kurtis.


Karen, the editing is getting so good. Better than TV production value. Keeps our interest engaged while still showing the steps involved. Lots of tools in your editing tool bag, Bravo!

[gordonagent]

Love it when you’re fabricating new tools. Karen, loved the split screen shots to give a close up and distance view of what Kurtis is doing.

[davidking]

Not only is Kurtis a top Aussie bloke, he epitomises the Aussie spirit... ingenuity and getting the job done... make it yourself, make it better besides, and enjoy that beer afterwards... And Karen seems like top Aussie sheila too... funny, clever and supportive of her Aussie bloke... what a team! Some spindle cam again too - this time with bonus dancing swarf...

[prsearls]

I love these videos of shop-made tooling. It displays Kurtis's engineering prowess, experience and machining craftsmanship. Each tool is perfect for his needs. Karen's videography and post-production are wonderful. Excellent composition, closeups, time-lapse and sound blend together perfectly to show and tell the story. IMO, she is the "gold standard" for machining videos and could easily adapt to other subjects. I'm surprised some production company hasn't hired her. CEE is a "must see" each week! I love it.

[stevepiechock]

Watching you manufacture shop tools never bores me. Your skill in making them and Karen's videography is always enlightening.

[tinman]

For the past 4 or so years I’ve stayed up past midnight on a Thursday to watch and comment on my favorite YouTube channel of all time. I’ve been sick for a while now and I’ve missed a few. It sucks to be comment no. 600 when there’s very little chance you guys will ever see it. 😕 a 3 phase motor for the grinder is mega ! Clearly you guys are planning on using it to sculpt the body lines of an aircraft carrier. I’m sure looking forward to seeing Kurtis chucking the HMS Nimrod into the lathe and spinning her up ! Thank you for all the entertainment 🥰 stay well and give my love to all the family at CEE. Homeless, Karen and George’s stand in.

[roberta]

Karen and Kurtis hope all is great with you guys. I enjoy the videos and always learn something. Thanks for all the hours and work that goes in to these episodes. Cheers!

[stuartstephens]

Shoutout to Inheritance Machining in the outtakes...it's always fun to see when the people I watch also watch the other YouTube channels I like. 👍

[diegorhoenisch]

Along with the week, August is winding down and the Northern Hemisphere begins to ponder the last hot days and the coming of Winter. Happily, Karen and Kurtis are here to distract us from such darkness with another hour of wondrous precision, imagination, and unveiling. Thank you both!

Best regards,

Alan
Berlin

[MrJoey]

As a machinist I will say this video really shows the lathe is the most versatile machine tool. Hands down. If you could only own one, it would be a lathe! Love the videos you two.

[ScreamingCelt]

For the past year or so, CEE vids have become my best way to end the week. Thank you for the great bedtime stories across the pond.

[markhesselgreaves]

Decided to watch all three parts of this because I really enjoy the episodes where you assemble new parts and tools, extensions etc.

Been watching all the episodes, all the videos I can find after I subscribed because you are a great inspiration to me!
I am a modeller but have been away from the hobby for about 3 years, watching all your videos has given me inspiration to get back into it, thank you! I’ve done all the assembly I can on my model and can do no more until I’ve painted the assemblies, that’ll be tomorrow; like yourself, I am very organised and I plan every part and every stage in a calm frame of mind, patiently.
So it’s thank you to you Kurtis and Karen, and I couldn’t possibly miss out Homey!😀😀

[jamesbarber]

I’m not going to lie, your channel has taught me nearly everything I know about machining. Suffice it to say I’m not a machinist but I absolutely love most of your projects. Watching you fix things has given me a lot of insight into how to fix things I would have previously given up on. All of that is to say I love your work and please keep it coming!❤

[AdelinoGambiarras]

Sometimes you have make your one tools to save a penny I find it enjoyable the process of create tools on similar.

[scott]

My grandfather was a machinist. Watching him doing stuff just left me in awe. I’m an electrician now and I still like to watch this stuff! Kurtis makes it look calming. Which I know it isn’t usually 😂

[therealxunil]

seeing that thing set down nice and tight on the tool post thing... so satisfying.