New machine for the shop! A Defiance Horizontal Boring Mill Hill Top Machine Works 2023-07-14 | If you have been a viewer of my channel for awhile you know I have been on the look out for a horizontal boring mill for my shop for years. Well I finally found one (550 miles away). It is a 1937 Defiance #5 HBM. It has a couple of small issues that will need to be addressed, but don't all old machines do.
Shop update. Building repairs are complete! Hill Top Machine Works 2023-07-01 | The crew wrapped up a couple of weeks ago and I have a new roof, side panels, and insulation. Glad to finally have it completed. Now to get all the rewiring done. Having to do it myself pretty much. Also a new piece of equipment is coming to the shop so stay tuned for the next video. Thanks again for your over whelming support!
Shop update Vlog #3 Hill Top Machine Works 2023-06-11 | Here is an update video on the progress of the shop. So I finally got the new garage doors installed and the crew has been making good progress on the building repairs. New roof is on and the inside insulation is almost done. Looking like there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Hillsville VA Memorial weekend flea market 2023 Hill Top Machine Works 2023-05-28 | A walk around of the annual flea market. Weather was perfect (except for Sunday) and I was able to pick up some machinist tooling and a few other nick knacks. A lot of vendors had radios playing so it did make it a challenge to get video with no music. I will do it again for the Labor day weekend event in September. Thanks for watching!
Shop update Vlog #2 Hill Top Machine Works 2023-05-14 | Making progress! Shop office is all painted and ready to move in. Finally have the contractor I hired to start repairs on the building. Excited things are moving forward. Hope to have some garage doors at some point. I will continue to keep you posted.
Work Weekend. We got it cleaned Hill Top Machine Works 2023-04-30 | Well with a lot of elbow grease the machines got cleaned and a good part of the shop walls and office. A massive thanks to Greg, Michael, Brad, Sage, Richard, and Dave for volunteering to help. Also thank you CRC products and Super Clean for donating the products that made the clean up easier.
Shop update Vlog Hill Top Machine Works 2023-04-14 | I figured I would put together an update video Vlog style. So getting more stuff cleaned up and fixed. Also got some lights installed. The garage doors unfortunately got pushed back another week. Looking forward to the work weekend and getting the machines all cleaned up. Thanks for hanging with me!
Call out for help Hill Top Machine Works 2023-03-25 | Many of you have expressed the desire to help me get my shop back in order. Well I would like to take you all up on your offers. So I have put together a work weekend for April 29 and 30 2023. If you can make it that would be great. Please send me an email (email is in the video) so I can get a head count and send you information you will need. Thank you guys!
Update on me and the shop Hill Top Machine Works 2023-03-05 | Well this is my 300th You Tube video. I wish it was an exciting project, instead of this. Anyway doing better and a massive thanks to everyone that has reached out to me. Also thanks to CRC products and Super Clean for their generous products donations to help get the shop cleaned up.
Fire in the shop Hill Top Machine Works 2023-02-15 | Well 2023 is turning out to be a sucky year. I will let the video explain everything. I forgot to talk about insurance. The car had full coverage but the shop was not covered. I tried to get insurance on the shop, but after contacting 2 companies and they found out I did welding and plasma cutting and had a oxy/acetylene torch set up they did not want to insure me so I gave up on it. If you can donate to the Go Fund Me thank you in advance. If that is not your thing I understand. I will put the link down below.
Jet lathe lead screw support bracket build. Part 3 completion Hill Top Machine Works 2023-02-08 | In this video I get the bracket completed and test it out. Thanks for watching the 3 part series.
Jet lathe lead screw support bracket build. Part 2 Hill Top Machine Works 2023-02-01 | In this video I get the lead screw support made and also the spacer block for the vertical bracket. Some milling on the Abene mill and some shaping on the G&E shaper.
Jet lathe lead screw support bracket build. Part 1 Hill Top Machine Works 2023-01-25 | This is going to be a 3 part series of me making a support bracket for my Jet lathe. In this video I get started on the top support block. Getting the block down to dimensions on my G&E shaper and the cutting the V way on my Abene mill. I hope you enjoy the project.
A tool to set accurate angles on a milling machine head Hill Top Machine Works 2023-01-18 | Here is a simple tool I made to help set accurate angles on my milling machines. I hope you enjoy and make one yourself.
A gitter out job Hill Top Machine Works 2023-01-11 | A customer brought in a 4.6 Ford aluminum intake with 4 broken bolts in it. They are little M5's which made it a bit more challenging.
Making a new shaft for a corn dryer Hill Top Machine Works 2023-01-04 | Some more work from the mill down the road. Fairly simple job milling a key way on my Excello mill and drill some holes in a piece of 1045 material. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year!
Mail Call #54 Christmas edition Hill Top Machine Works 2022-12-21 | I just wanted to say thanks for all the support in 2022 and the new subscribers to the channel. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! This will be the last video of the year and I will see you in 2023.
Simple lathe turning job Hill Top Machine Works 2022-12-14 | This video is geared more for beginners. I talk about some basic stuff to do when using a lathe. Also the audio is not the greatest in some parts and I apologize for that. This is the last video using the Rode wireless mic. All the videos going forward while be with either a corded mic or the GoPro built in mic.
Making some parallels for my G&E shaper vise Hill Top Machine Works 2022-12-07 | Just a quick project making some parallels out of A2 tool steel using my Harig 6-12 surface grinder. Thanks for watching.
Using my Sterling Drill Grinder Hill Top Machine Works 2022-11-30 | Just a short video for you guys this week. I thought I would showcase me using my Sterling drill grinder. It will sharpen drills up to 2.5" in diameter. For drills 1/2" and smaller I use my Drill Doctor just because it is easier. I hope you enjoy.
A rush job. Feed mill auger repair Hill Top Machine Works 2022-11-23 | So I had the local mill bring me their feed auger for repair. They needed it fixed ASAP. So with some lathe work on the Monarch I made a sleeve to fix the end of the damaged shaft and welded it on. I hope you enjoy this quick repair.
Making some car stereo knobs for the 66 Belvedere II Hill Top Machine Works 2022-11-16 | Hey guys. I needed some knobs for my car stereo so I try my hand at knurling some Delrin for the first time. I think the knobs came out acceptable. I also do a quick walk around on the new car I recently purchased. I hope you enjoy the quick project.
Mail Call #53 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-11-09 | Hey everyone. I have another mixed bag for you. An update on the retaining wall outside, some new purchases and a gracious gift from Jim at Tangent Engineering. I also mention the recent mic noise and my plan to fix it. Welcome all my new subscribers to the channel!
When it rains it pours. Another Bush Hog related repair job Hill Top Machine Works 2022-11-02 | This week I had a simple request from a repeat customer. He needed a mounting plate for the deck of his bush hog. Knocked it out using my Swag off road circle cutter and my newly made machinist jacks. Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Making some beefy machinist jacks Hill Top Machine Works 2022-10-26 | A project I have been wanting to do. These will be real handy in the shop. I hope you enjoy the build. This video does run a little longer than usual.
Making some shop saw horses Hill Top Machine Works 2022-10-19 | I have been needing some heavy duty saw horses to help with projects. So I rounded up some scrap steel I have had forever and went to work. I hope you enjoy the simple build. Also welcome all my new subscribers!
Hey man job. Another Bush hog repair Hill Top Machine Works 2022-10-12 | Another fairly simple repair came in the door. I had to make a bushing for the Bush Hog clutch plate. Thanks for watching.
#Roughcut2022. Making a XL boring bar Hill Top Machine Works 2022-10-01 | I decided to make an XL boring bar for my Jet lathe. It will come in handy for those large jobs and perfect for a #roughcut2022 video. Thanks for watching!
Clutch bushing repair on my Monarch model K lathe Hill Top Machine Works 2022-09-28 | My Monarch lathe needed a little repair so I figured I would video the fairly simple job. Some turning some stock to size then square broaching it using my new 50 ton press.Don't forget #roughcut2022 is coming up this Saturday October 1st. Look for a bunch of videos to watch from various creators.
Mail Call #52 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-09-21 | In this video I share some new purchases from E-Bay, Shars, and a machinist forum. I picked up 2 new pieces of equipment for the shop from Harbor Freight too. I also do a quick shop walk around and talk about up coming projects. I hope you enjoy and thanks for watching!
Hey man job. Bush Hog blade repair Hill Top Machine Works 2022-09-14 | I had a bush hog part come in the shop to get repaired. Since it is odd shaped the order of operations is important so the repair goes smoothly. Thanks for watching and welcome all my new subscribers to my channel!
Hillsville VA labor day flea market 2022 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-09-07 | Well that time of year again. Me and my wife went to the large flea market and swap meet. We both found some items to take home. I hope you enjoy the walk about!
Repairing the drive pulley on the big Jet lathe. Final Hill Top Machine Works 2022-08-31 | I got the sleeve pressed in and the key way cut. Then got it all assembled and I now have a nice quiet running lathe. I decided not to pin the sleeve at this time. I think the nearly 2 inches of press fit should hold. I will keep an eye on it and if it does move I will then pin it. Thanks for watching the required fix.
Repairing the drive pulley on the big jet lathe. Part 2 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-08-24 | In this video I get the tapered sleeve made and start machining a tapered broach bushing. Thanks for watching and next weeks video I wrap up the repair on the lathe.
Repairing the drive pulley on the big Jet lathe. Part 1 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-08-17 | Hey everyone. This will be a 3 part video series of the repair I had to make to the Jet lathe. The drive pulley bore was in sad shape and the pulley was loose and making a racket on the shaft. A bunch of lathe work to make the repair and some broaching too. Thanks for watching.
Chip catch pan for the G&E shaper Hill Top Machine Works 2022-08-10 | In this video I fab up a chip catch pan to catch those flying chips that come off the work piece. I thought I was going to use my new metal brake to form up the pan, but I ended up finding some scrape that worked out just perfect. Something simple that will make clean up easier. Thanks for watching!
Bush Hog repair Hill Top Machine Works 2022-08-03 | Local farmer down the road needed his Bush Hog repaired. So after some milling, boring and pressing I got him fixed up. This video ran a little long. Sorry about that. Thanks for watching.
Mail Call #51 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-07-27 | In this video I show some recent shop purchases, some channel stickers came in, and lastly updates on me, the shop, and future plans. I also crossed over the 3K subscriber mark. Thank you very much for the support!
Making a DA sized tool holder. Part 2 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-07-20 | In this video I complete the tool holder. Thanks for watching and all the new subscribers!
Making a DA sized tool holder. Part 1 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-07-13 | Time to make a big tool holder. I use my G&E shaper to get the stock to dimensions. Then take it over to the Abene mill and get the slots cut. Finally over to the Excello mill to cut the dove tail. I hope you enjoy the project.
Jet lathe cross slide maintenance Hill Top Machine Works 2022-07-06 | In this video I tackle the excessive back lash the cross slide has. The discovery ends up being a easy fix which is nice. Thanks for watching shop life.
O D grinding fixture build. Its done! Hill Top Machine Works 2022-06-29 | Wow what a project. I am glad we finally have a working unit. Thanks for following along. I know it went a little long but that is how it goes sometimes. Thank you for the support and viewership.
O D grinding fixture build. Part 5 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-06-22 | Well that is a bummer. It didn't work out. Stay tuned for next weeks video where I go to version 3.0 and get a working grinder. Boy has this been a rabbit hole!
O D grinding fixture build. Part 4 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-06-15 | I push on with the grinder build. I get the broach bushing finished on the Abene mill and then broach the key way in the pulley. Not too much to do after this. Thanks for following the build.
Hillsville VA 2022 Memorial weekend flea market Hill Top Machine Works 2022-06-08 | It was great weather for a change. A good amount of sellers and shoppers on Saturday. I didn't find a lot, but managed to pick up a few small items. I hope you enjoy the walk about!
O D grinding fixture build. Part 3 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-06-01 | In this video I get the small pulley done. I get the keyway slot cut in the shaft and start making the broach bushing so I can broach the large pulley. A little shorter than normal video, but thanks for watching.
Mail Call #50 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-05-25 | Well I have made my 50th mail call. Pretty cool. In this video I give an update on my shoulder, show the new paint job for the shaper, and show some new shop goodies. I also had a channel sticker come in. I talk about upcoming projects too. Thanks for all of your support and watching the videos.
O D grinding fixture build. Part 2 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-05-18 | I continue with the build by finishing up the pulleys on the lathe. I also discover my first screw up. Thanks for watching.
O D grinding fixture build. Part 1 Hill Top Machine Works 2022-05-11 | This build will be a several part video series. In this video I get a plan of attack and start the build. First I check the spin indexer for trueness. Then a little surface grinding and then some lathe work. I hope you enjoy the build.
New handles and T nut for the Jet lathe Hill Top Machine Works 2022-05-04 | More small stuff to do on the Jet lathe. Some milling the stock on the Abene and Excello mills. Shaper work making the T nut on the G&E, and some lathe work making some Delrin handles on the Enco. Thanks for watching!
