Machines such as lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, grinding machines and press brakes, among others, are highly complete pieces of equipment capable of performing a wide range of machining operations. However, for these machines to work, they need auxiliary equipment. This is where used workshop tools come into play: second-hand tools that can be the perfect complement to any machine.
What are used workshop tools?
The subject of used workshop tools is very broad, as a workshop can have countless useful accessories and tools for machining. Anything that is not a machine can be considered a tool or accessory. And what is a machine? Machine tools are large pieces of equipment capable of performing different types of machining; this includes conventional machinery such as lathes and milling machines, as well as more complex equipment such as machining centres.
For these machines to operate and carry out the various machining tasks they are capable of, they need to be complemented by a range of tools. To begin with, every machine needs cutting tools, which may be the inserts on lathes, the bits on drills, the cutters on milling machines or the abrasive wheels on grinding machines.
Used workshop tools also include the workholding devices that every machine needs in order to work. These are chucks (universal, automatic, self-centring), clamps, bench vices, arbors and so on. Without them, machining quality would suffer.
Other used workshop tools
You now know which basic elements a machine needs in order to work, but carrying out a complete machining process requires many more tools and accessories, such as consumables (cutting discs, oils, oxy-fuel cutting supplies, etc.) and other measuring and cutting instruments.
Measurement
If you are looking for used workshop tools for taking measurements, consider getting a hardness tester. Hardness testers are instruments used to measure the hardness of the materials to be machined. Knowing the hardness of the material makes it possible to determine machining parameters such as cutting speed, depth of cut and even the type of tool to be used. Hardness testers apply a standardised force through a standardised indenter. This leaves an impression on the material and, depending on the depth or size of the indentation, the hardness of the material can be determined.
Another measuring device is the presetter, a device that measures the cutting edges of tools. This ensures that the cutting tools are suitable for the job and can be used directly on the machine without the operator wasting time measuring them manually.
The digitising arm is one of the most sought-after used workshop tools, as it can capture point data from a physical object to create a 3D model of it. The arm must first be calibrated and usually works with a foot pedal, which is used to record the points of the digitised object. These devices are generally used for machining on CNC machines that require a prior design in order to operate.
The coordinate measuring machine is an instrument that determines with great precision the position of the points of a geometric shape in three-dimensional space. It does so using values relative to the X, Y and Z axes along which most machine tools move.
Handling equipment
The overhead crane is an essential piece of equipment in all workshops and heavy industries, as it can move very heavy loads (up to 250 tonnes) inside an industrial building. Overhead cranes are mounted on the roof structure of the building and can be single-girder or double-girder. They reduce the workload for operators, as the machine itself does the heavy lifting. The only drawback of this equipment is that its use is limited to the inside of the building where it is installed.
Stationary work equipment
Every workshop and factory needs work tables or work stations. These are essential in machine shops, as practically every machining operation is carried out on them. Work tables can come in different sizes and be fixed, folding or portable. Their height can be adjusted and other tools, such as bench vices, can be fitted to them. They also have drawer units to increase storage space.
Tools for tools
Yes, even tools themselves need their own tools to stay in good condition. This is made possible by equipment such as the bench grinder, also known as a grinder or emery wheel. This equipment is used to dress and shape surfaces and objects made of different materials effortlessly.
With a bench grinder you can sharpen cutting tools as they wear, but also shape different materials, clean welds, polish and buff metals or carry out roughing, among other tasks.