Links Page

Here are some of my favorite links to those wonderful people out on the web, selling tools and accessories, teaching and sharing information and their experiences on the Mini.

LittleMachineShop.com - I can't say enough good and how much I appreciate Little Machine Shop...They are just the best!

HarborFreightTools.com - HFT (Harbor Freight Tools) is another favorite. However, I usually have to tweak their equipment ;-), they have great prices and are local...and my Mini came from them.

OnlineMetals.com - Although I have yet to order metal from them they are listed links on Little Machine shop and Varmint Al's pages and highly recommended by them for getting short pieces for the Mini and their prices are great.

Alisam Engineering - I found this site looking for a holder for my Dremel and found some other cool and handy stuff for the Mini.

GadgetBuilder.com - This was one of the first and most useful sites I found after I got my Mini! Tons of information, tools, tips and tweaks.

Varmint Al's Mini Lathe - This also was one of the first sites I found packed with mods, tips and tricks and also uses his Mini for Gunsmithing work...which I have always wanted to do. His stories are great and be sure and check out his other pages! His FEA work on his Engineering page is terrific.

Mini-Lathe.com - This is one of the most comprehensive sites out there on the Mini's. Filled with everything from A-Z with links, tips, how-to's, tool grinding, Setup, troubleshooting...you name it...it's there or where to find it.

Mikes Work Shop - He is in England and has a slightly different machine (Clarke CM300 by Sieg) but is quite ingenious and has pages and pages of great stuff.

Academy of Lagado - Kaje's site is packed with everything from model engineering to Mini Lathe and Mini Mill projects and much more. Excellent write ups and great pictures too. It also contains one of the most comprehensive link pages for home shop stuff I have seen.

Tools and Mods - This well organized and beautiful site is all about the Home Machine shop. Great tips and mods from great folks. For the mini I was truly inpired by Marty Nissen's "A Project Lathe" where he goes through great pains to dial in a Mini to be the best it can be.

Home Made Tools - I've been enjoying this site for a few months now and really wanted to give them a shout out. It's a great site similar to a forum but where people can post pictures and links to their projects, an "Encyclopedia of Homemade Tools". The breadth of project catagories is huge and some really inventive and creative submitions. Check it out and sign up for their weekly newsletter, always something inspiring.

These are some of my Favorite YouTube sites

These are not all about the Mini but great learning videos. If you do a search on YouTube for Mini Lathe you will get tons of hits...some good, some not.

JimmysCanal - An Artisan Extraordinare. He has an Optimum 180x300 mini lathe, what I would call a precision mini. Loves making tools and jewelery and, and, and, its all beautiful craftsmanship! We've become good friends now over the last year with similar projects and Ideas so check out his fine work.

Clickspring - Has some of the best quality videos on YT with great videography and content. All of it is based on great Mini type equipment with a focus on clocks, tools and all kinds of useful add-0ns. His skills and craftsmanship are something to strive for! Also check out his website/blog which is quality content like his YT channel, plus his writing style and humor is great! He also has downloadable drawing packages for reasonable prices...first cabin! Highly recommend checking out his channel & site for projects, great craftsmanship and a fun ride.

MrPete222 - A great machine shop teacher with a cool demeanor, excellent humor and lots of How To videos.

Keith Fenner - A venerable master at "Getter Done". His videos have taught me so much about chips, sequence of operations and setups and, and, and...Thanks Keith! I highly recommend his "Wing It" Series, truly inspiring work. I think his little finger forgot more than most know in the trades!

This Old Tony - has Great Quality videos and content. I learned a ton from his 5 part surface grinder build about thinking processes, scrapping and how to get it done! Not a prolific watch list but every one is truly worth watching.

Adam Booth (Ab0m79) - A third generation machinist with massive Skills in lots of trades and his SNS (Saturday Night Special) weekly series is always a fun ride!

Ray Caniglia - professes to be a "Hobbyist" but has Pro Skills and is the Nicest Guy! His recent masterpiece is a Hammer set that he gave to Stan (Shadon HKW). What I call a Master Precision Hammer Set, it gave me goose bumps!!

Stan (Shadon HKW) - is a millwright but much more with his extensive shop and skills. He has lots of interesting projects and now makes some absolutely beautiful Machinist Squares that are dead on accurate.

DadHav - A man after my own heart with the most beautiful old lathe I've seen. He's more of an engineer and makes and tests many things that interest me...and a very nice person! Excellent Videos!

Halligan142 - is also a budding machinist and come a long way, sharing his work and processes along the way with practical and common sense.

PlasmaStar9 - His site isn't about machining but some of the models he makes are works of art in my opinion.

Rick Taylor - is the person who gave me the idea for the bump roller and is an wonderful model maker. His "Hit-n-Miss" engine is a real nice, working piece.