This article discusses a variety of home-made methods for measuring the spindle speed of a mill or lathe, so that the speed control can be calibrated. A number of methods are given, ranging from "stroboscopic" discs that you can print out and mount, to a digital read-out made from an inexpensive digital voltage-ohm meter.

A tutorial with lots of pictures showing how to make a straight cutting hob and a spiral hob for cutting spur gears.

Nice diagram and explanation of terminoloty used for threads, including classes of fit.

There is a nice diagram and discussion here showing the difference between conventional and climb milling. The second half of the page talks about using fly cutters and grinding fly cutter bits.

Another clear and well written article by Jim Sapp. He also briefly discusses rotary tables.

Sells a wide variety ceramic and miniature ball bearings

Tony is a welding instructor with more than forty years of teaching experience. You will find here more than fifty videos of him teaching MIG, ARC, TIG and Oxy-Acetylene welding. None of these videos are professionally made but they are free, educational and interesting.

This is not a slick video, but it will teach you a lot about using oxygen and acetylene cylinders and regulators, including how to use them safely.

The video quality leaves a lot to desire, the sound could be a louder, and it starts out kind of slow, but this is one of the best free videos we have been able to find about oxy-acetylene welding. It starts with a classroom session which is followed by a demonstration.

UK seller of machine tools, including mini-lathes and mills

This is a rather large web site about the author's interest in machining and his workshop. It includes tool reviews and recommendations, information about projects he has built, including details about his CNC conversion, links and more.

A Canadian seller of tools, including machine tools and accessories.

Sells almost everything you need to build a CNC system - stepper motors and servos, controllers, power supplies, switches, breakout boards, software and complete kits.

Sells a number of interesting modifications and parts for the Sieg X2 mini-mill and the 9x20 lathe.

Some links are broken and I know of some good software that is missing from this list, but this is still a nice list of useful links and it includes a lot of freeware. This might be a good place to start if you're looking for CAD/CAM/CNC programs.

Home of the Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC), which is free open-source CNC software for the Linux that is released under the GNU General Public License. EMC is a software system for computer control of machine tools such as milling machines and lathes.

A very interesting collection of short videos. Many of them show industrial machining and manufacturing processes. Others show how things are made or how they work.

No plans, but enough pictures to help you figure out how to make your own

Nice mini-mill sized hold down clamps that are intended to be made on a CNC mill. DXF and gcode is included, along with a drawing for anyone who would like to try making them without CNC.

US seller of various kinds of leadscrews, ballscrews and nuts. A useful site if you want to replace the leadscrews on your lathe or mill, or convert it to CNC.