TOP 10 TIPS for Machinists' Jacks | CRAIG'S WORKSHOP

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Tip 12: (Submitted by Chirpy's Tinkerings) Use a bolt or screw in a 123 block as your jack. Comes with three built in heights. Genius Chirp, thanks! Submit your own machinists' jack tips and I'll include any that catch my eye here in this pinned comment.

[@gregcook9915]

I've never thought of most of these uses for a machinist's jack. Thank you so much for sharing these good ideas. This was a very helpful video!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks I am glad you found it helpful. 👍

[@ikkentonda]

Wow. Every now and again KZbin's recommendation engine comes through. I can't believe I've never come across your channel before. The only thing better than learning a great tip from some crusty old fart is learning something from a young guy like yourself. Outstanding!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks 🙂

[@Andrew_Fernie]

A short video packed with great tips 👍

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Andrew. No point padding it out and wasting everyone's time and bandwidth. But making it short and sweet is a skill I am still learning. I will keep trying. Cheers, Craig

[@jamiemarshall645]

awesome idea ! not just for machinists

[@CraigsWorkshop]

You're right! Lots of little uses for these tools, easy to make, and very handy. :)

[@GoCreatehms]

Great Video! Some very helpful ways to use a Machinists' Jack that i wouldn't have thought of.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hi Nigel - I am stunned that I was able to show you something new. After seeing the quality of work you produce, I'd assume that you'd have thought of these ideas and more. Thank you for brightening my morning :) Cheers, Craig

[@traitorouskin7492]

Nigel I was thinking exactly the same

[@Doug_Edwards]

Thanks for the video Craig. I was the recipient of the first jacks that Al made. He did a great job on them and I use them often. Doug

[@CraigsWorkshop]

He really did! I find it super useful, and I've been thinking of making a matching one or two to make a set. This could be useful for levelling castings, or both ends of a long stock in a mill vise, and so on. Thank you for watching Doug - and thanks for being subscribed. Cheers, Craig

[@Preso58]

Some great tips there Craig. Thanks.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Preso :)

[@AndrewDeCenzo]

Hey Craig great video good Information and production quality

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thank you very much. I do my best so it is great when someone notices 👍 Thanks again.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Great job Craig. All great tips, enjoyed. Thank you.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Randy! I'm glad it was enjoyable :-) Cheers, Craig

[@yvesdesrosiers2396]

Thanks for the tips and introduction to Al's channel. Stay safe and catch you on the flip side. Cheers

[@CraigsWorkshop]

No problem :) I'm glad we found you another great channel to watch! See you Yves. Cheers, Craig

[@rodbutler9864]

Outstanding, I’ve been using those coupling nut things for years but you’ve inspired me to make something bit more classy.….and more stable. Ta

[@danielabbey7726]

Both your channel and Al's are gems. Very nice collaboration.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thank you Daniel - we do our best! Cheers, Craig

[@Engineerd3d]

Very well thought out video.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks 🙂

[@pauldevey8628]

Super good video. I learned so much and have many new ideas on how to use my jacks.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Cheers Paul - Lots of ways to use these things, and I have certainly not found them all. New ways will keep popping up. :) Cheers, Craig

[@rexmyers991]

Thanks, Craig! Excellent collection of uses (and excellent presentation) for a machinist’s jack. I can’t wait to start making my own Jacks.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Glad it was helpful to you Rex. Thank you for stopping by and watching. See you in the next one! Cheers, Craig

[@hilltopmachineworks2131]

Some good tips there Craig.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks ☺️ - and thanks for watching! Cheers, Craig

[@heronvontremonia9975]

nice video, especially the support for the cutting tool is something i haven't thought about yet.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Heron. You definitely need the support for turning that pyrite-like material you had :D

[@ade63dug]

Hi Craig , some great tips in here for beginners . Great video and great sound quality . Cheers Ade.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hi Ade - glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the kind comments - I've been working upping the quality and it's great that you noticed :) Cheers, Craig

[@Rustinox]

Some useful tips here. Thanks for sharing. And indeed, Al makes fantastic videos.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks for watching Rusti! His video quality is an inspiration.

[@union310]

Very good advice, I have a couple of jacks that are bolted to a ground stock so that they do not float out .

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks good idea

[@paulmorrey4298]

Thanks Craig

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks for the sub and for the comment Paul, much appreciated. Cheers, Craig

[@Ballba365]

Thanks Craig, some great tips. A pleasure to watch with 4k, top notch audio and editing.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Camshaft! And, you are welcome. I am just learning as I go with the editing and recording. Cheers, Craig

[@edsmachine93]

Thanks AL, and thank you Craig for all the tips. I like the ball bearing. Never used that. I need to make some bigger jacks for my Bore Mill. I will use some of the tips. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Ed.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Ed, I'm glad there was something useful for you 👍

[@woodscreekworkshop9939]

Nice tips, great cinematography! 👍🏼

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Yuchol - thank you. I keep learning and trying! :) Cheers, Craig

[@joeduda8507]

I watch Al all the time seen all his videos awesome tips and great info thanks Craig

[@CraigsWorkshop]

He's got a fantastic channel - my main complaint is I want about 1 video per day from him :-D Thanks for watching Joe!

[@donmittlestaedt1117]

Great to see the friendship and working together going-on around the world. enjoy sharing and helping people grow. No one beating their chest. True friendship.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Very well put Don - such a great sentiment! And thanks for watching our videos :) Cheers, Craig

[@greggroos2271]

Thank you for making this, I picked up some great "aha!" (read "DOH!") moments. I have a bunch of the coupling nut versions but I really need to make a finer thread version.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks for the comment, glad the video was useful to you 👍

[@josemanon6295]

Very good 👌

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thank you Jose

[@fsj197811]

Good tips, thanks for sharing.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks

[@carlhitchon1009]

Thanks for the tips. Excelent.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

No worries Carl. Thanks for watching.

[@ChristophLehner]

Really well done video 👌

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Christoph - I appreciate the kind words.

[@ronaldcrowder404]

Absolutely awesome! I will have to watch this several times to soak it in . I haven't made any Jack's yet but I need to and I did watch the video to make them . Thank you !!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Ronald. Glad you could find something useful or interesting in there. This is not an exhaustive list, I'm sure once you think about what you need in the workshop that involves a variable spacer, or a variable width support, you'll come up with new uses (if you do, please post it here!). Cheers, Craig

[@ronaldcrowder404]

@Craig's Workshop I have an 8ft x 20ft shipping container so I have to make sure what I do I have room for . I have a grizzly mill bench top and atlas 6x12 lathe and I am building a 4ft lathe put a 9 inch southbend headstock on it . Wish now I had gotten 40ft shipping container lol . I watch your videos over and over there are only few people I watch ! You do an awesome job !

[@ronaldcrowder404]

Ps I am retired so I have to use mostly scrap to make anything.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

@@ronaldcrowder404 making things from scrap is very satisfying, but can sometimes be a bit hit or miss. But you can't beat the price!

[@craigtate5930]

I am shocked at how many I hadn't seen before. Great idea to have them all in one place. Love all of the unusual designs near the end. Kinda suits me to build something outside the box anyways..lol

[@CraigsWorkshop]

I would love to see what you come up with Craig! Thanks for watching 👍, Cheers, Craig

[@geoffwade8144]

I really enjoyed this video.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thank you Geoff. I am glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@eyuptony]

Some good uses demonstrated there Craig thanks for sharing. Tony

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hey Tony - good to see you! Thanks mate. Craig

[@EverettsWorkshop]

I really like the set of jacks that Phil & Pierre (Phil's Projects and Pierre's Garage) gave me, I agree that they are well worth it. The page of the old manual you showed has intrigued me though, all sorts of other jack-type ideas . . . more on the "want-to-do" list now, lol!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Everett! Yes if I weren't moving house I might well be making up some new (old) styles of jack!

[@smacknives754]

Outstanding, thanks for the tips, Craig, I've needed a little jack, for my mini mill since I got it, seeing all the extra uses has given me the kick in the bum, I needed. Re the Jo blocks, with my lack of skill, I was going to settle for a cheap Chinese set, but for some reason, couldn't get myself to pull the trigger these last few years, I am so glad I waited, just before xmas, I scored a 2nd hand metric Mitutoyo set, in excellent condition for just under $500, I still haven't used them yet, and it's kind of uncomfortable keeping them under my pillow, but hey, I got a Mitsy;). Thanks mate, Scott.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

I am very jealous 😂 I keep looking for a good old set but they are either super pricy, or look like they were found in a river (And with pieces missing). I will keep looking though. Cheers! Craig

[@624Dudley]

G’Day Craig - you’re among the many creators whose work I’m binge-watching. Between Rusti’s Cheap Door and Emma’s white board, I have lots of leads to follow! Thanks for the tips in this video, there are things I never thought of. Much appreciate. Keep up the good work!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Dudley you are including me in with a couple of excellent creators there. I don't know if that is deserved, but - I am grateful for the kind comment. Cheers! Craig

[@Cz9mmp10]

Fantastic

Thanks Craig. Very useful tool but i must confess i dont have any of those. Def will make some.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Yeah, they're great. You'll keep thinking of uses for them.

[@howder1951]

Great tips Craig, you taught me a couple of new tricks with a well thought out group of usages. I'll be looking at my jacks a little differently from here on, thanks and cheers!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Cheers Howder - glad to have brought you something useful that you hadn't seen before! Thanks for watching. Cheers, Craig

[@Mr986Willis]

Great video I'll have to make some of these 👍

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thank you Mr Willis 👍

[@badalloc1]

Supporting the parting tool... Why is this not mentioned in every textbook?!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

It's a great question! I don't know why, but I hope the tip comes in handy. "Bad alloc" - are you a programmer by any chance? :)

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Craig, Good video and lots of useful tips... I really like the coupling nuts idea, very simple but effective. Take care. Paul,,

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Paul - super simple idea, but useful. I really liked Chirpy's suggestion too - threading screws into a 123 block. That way you get three sizes in one. Cheers! Craig

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

@@CraigsWorkshop That is a very clever idea from Chirpy.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

@@TheKnacklersWorkshop Yes definitely!

[@bearsrodshop7067]

Morning Craigs, great tips, and putting a link in my latest video #Shop Made Tools - Part 5- Finial conclusion for my viewer's. Looks like I too will be make a few jacks for my tool box real soon, cheers, Bear

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Bear. I will have a look for that video

[@kimber1958]

Great tips for me

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks Kimberzelik - glad it's been useful to you. I have been watching some of your videos recently too and enjoy seeing you show your workshop and tools. Looking forward to seeing more. Hit me up for a sticker swap! Cheers, Craig

[@kimber1958]

@@CraigsWorkshop send me your mailing address if you don’t mind , i’ed like to send some channel stickers your way . [e-mail] Thanks

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks! I have sent that email. I'd love to send you some of my stickers too. Cheers, Craig

[@traitorouskin7492]

Thanks Craig. The lego man (I now know he is al.) Directed me to you and I'm a new sub because you gave me lots to think about with a little jack. Cheers ta.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

I am glad you found something useful in there! Thank you for watching and thanks for subscribing. Cheers, Craig

[@Machine_NZ]

Hi Craig, well explained and good video editing. I must get back in the shed and start making videos. Summer here so fishing has taken over....lol

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thank you Kevin. I hope you had better luck fishing than me earlier in the year! Zero again for me 😬

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday Craig, this is an awesome video, there is tips here I have never heard of before and one’s I wish I had known of that would have saved me a lot of headaches in the past, I’m a bit shocked you have got enough 123 blocks, great video mate, cheers Matty

[@CraigsWorkshop]

When I get my surface grinder, I'll grind them all down to 25 x 50 x 100 blocks, just so they're nicely matched, and metric :D Thanks for watching mate. Glad you liked it. I love your videos, I need to put more out! I am loving your Quorn build - can't wait to keep seeing more of it. Cheers, Craig

[@theeddies]

Nice job Craig. Production, info, and delivery are spot on. Lots of good tips there. I have a couple older machinist jacks, they are a little big for my uses usually so I need to make a smaller one. Funny you mentioned lifting buildings, I actually have 2 cast foundation "machinist" jacks at least 100 years old. I used them to support a section of my house to replace some rotted floor joists a few years ago. They did lift the house pretty easily. I should share some pics on Instagram. They are cool. All the best! Eddie

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hey Eddie - thanks! The big jacks sound great. I watched a restoration of one of those a year or so ago. Very cool. Thanks for watching! Cheers, Craig

[@JermainFishwick]

Let's get this video started! :) Thanks

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hey Jermain - good to see you again :)

[@Alexey2k5]

These are some really, really useful tips on how to use them. This video, and all of your other videos, will sure come in handy when I get my own mill sometime ahead in the future. As an proud owner of my very own small lathe I've been an regular viewer on Adventures with a very small Lathe's videos and the one about the manufacturing of the Machinist's Jack got me here and I took a look around your channel. Looking forward to what you are going to upload in the future, explanation videos like this are great.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hi Alex. Thanks - I'm happy to take suggestions if you have ideas of what would help beginning machinists. (I myself am a beginning machinist too, but I'm happy to share what I have learned so far). In the past I've tended towards a mix of project videos (making something specific), and Odds and Ends videos (general updates, new items etc). This is the first "lesson" style video I've done. If the format works, it's certainly something I'm happy to try again in future. Thank you for watching - Cheers, Craig

[@Alexey2k5]

@@CraigsWorkshop Since I've been around manual milling machines I already know my way around those a bit but for complete beginners, I'm sure topics like vise and workpiece setup would come in handy. For example how you set up a vise perpendicular to the Y and X Axis, how to use the "paper trick" correctly (since I'm sure lot of guys like us don't own a reliable edge finder in the beginning of their adventures). General tooling and skill of the trade talk to be honest.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thank you Alex - good ideas there. I will make notes from this comment and see if I can weave these topics into future videos (or indeed make separate dedicated videos). Thanks for the input! Cheers, Craig

[@Alexey2k5]

@@CraigsWorkshop Thanks for taking your time reading it. Have a good one Craig :)

[@ollysworkshop]

I loved this collection of tips. I don't have any machinists jacks, but was going to make a short video on making some out of coupling nuts. Looks like you beat me to it! The parting tool one is genius, may also work for other lathe tools doing heavy work, I'll try and remember to give it a go next time I've got chatter.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Good idea! I think the coupling nut video is still a good idea. All I did was describe it, but I think a video showing the process would be interesting to beginners. You're right about the other lathe tools for heavy work too, it should help a lot.

[@ollysworkshop]

@@CraigsWorkshop I'll do the video then. I'll definitely link to yours and Alistair's.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Thanks man I appreciate that 🙂

[@pedalcarguy]

Thank you so much, Craig! Excellent advise through and through. Need to make myself a couple of these jacks. I have two small lathes and a small milling machine. Not a total newbie, as I constructed my first working metal lathe from a poor project. That one will be relegated to wood turning in future. Jack of all trades, master of none? That is quite possible.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hey there. I am glad the video was of use to you! You sound like you have some great skills and a great setup there. Jack of all trades, I know that feeling, and exactly what you mean 🙂

[@noz455sd]

Awesome video man thanks! Another question I have for you is how do you control corrosion in the UK on your machines? I’m in hot and humid Southeast Texas where temps are over 90 degrees F and greater than 90 percent humidity(somewhat like an armpit haha). It is a common assumption here that it may not be as hot but it can certainly be as humid in the UK and I have been keeping everything wiped down now in ACF-50 giving it a try but curious if you might have a tip for combatting rust. Thanks!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hi Chris - apologies but I am no going to be much help there. I've been living in Australia for the last ten years, and we just don't get enough humidity where I am for rust to ever be an issue. In the UK, when I was working in a joinery and furniture workshop with large cast iron surfaces, we would use a product called Liberon Lubricating wax. I believe it was a wax and oil blend and for things like jointer, planer and bandsaw tables it was great. It provides rust prevention and also a nice slick surface which for woodworking machines is ideal. Thanks for watching! Cheers, Craig

[@noz455sd]

@@CraigsWorkshop thanks for your input sir!

[@AL6S00740]

What's the books name ? with all the different Jacks ?

[@CraigsWorkshop]

It's "Jigs and Fixtures" by Colvin and Haas, published by McGraw Hill

[@TeAwsomeCo]

Who published the jigs and fixturing book?

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hi Loki. It's called "Jigs and Fixtures", published by McGraw-Hill, and written by Colvin and Haas.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

@@pinlap3875 thanks Jon 👍

[@arloames4517]

What is the title of your book on jigs and fixtures?

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Hi there. It is called "Jigs and Fixtures", written by Colvin and Haas, published by McGraw Hill in 1913, 1922 as part of the "Library of Machine Shop Practice" series. I hope that helps you track it down.

[@agafonovas]

I have no idea why your channel is suggested to me just now. I've been following machinist channels for years. What's wrong with you KZbin?

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Good question! Thank you for stopping by though. Good to have you here. Cheers, Craig

[@michaelmclachlan1650]

@@CraigsWorkshop I agree with Andrius, I've just subscribed. Those are some excellent suggestions, thank you.