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Last Modified: 15 February 2010 07:42 MST
There are hobby machinist groups scattered around the US and now a small HSM group has formed in Connecticut. Our CTHSM group is congenial and freewheeling: no rules, no dues, just guys getting together to learn new techniques plus share thoughts on machining and other topics that arise. Meetings are held in member shops on the second Sunday of the month at 2pm. Anyone interested in attending a meeting please contact me (via the link at the bottom of the page) for more info and directions.
The February 14th meeting in Plainville didn't proceed according to plan. After a general discussion of several member projects brought for display, we gathered around a large surface plate and saw methods and tools used to verify the accuracy of one member's mini-lathe and mini-mill beds. Unfortunately, both had a slight warp so further work will be needed. It was an education to see the basic tools - surface plate, straight edge, surface gage and DTI - quickly show these bed defects.
The March 14th meeting will be in Newtown where the subject will be (assuming we don't drift off topic again :-) material characteristics and how they affect turning. Materials will include various metals and plastics.
Home shop machining is often a solitary hobby, as are most hobbies now according to "Bowling Alone". This group is an attempt to get area HSM's to know one another and thus make our hobby a little less solitary.
The much larger NEMES HSM group is 2-3 hours away so we share some members and occasionally have visitors from that group.
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