Inherited a mill and lathe - Are they suitable for framebuilding?

[MattV]

Hello all,
Longtime lurker and eventual frame builder.

Almost done remodeling my barn. Hope to be setting up the shop to use the UBI framebuilding skillz I acquired in 2010 by this time next year. I have pretty much everything I need in terms of hand tools and small power tools and even have a BREW jig ready to roll. New wrinkle involves a Mill and Lathe I inherited from my recently deceased step-dad (suck it cancer) and I'm wondering if they have enough oompf for a guy who might make 3-4 frames a year at the outset. At minimum I'd like to miter chainstays and seatstays so the Mill is the main concern. Any related wisdom, tips, ideas, including jigs, is appreciated.

One is a Clausing/Johannsen "BX" Mill and the other is a South Bend heavy 10" lathe.

lathe.jpgMill.jpg

[Rody]

Matt,

Nice pieces, glad they are finding a new lease on life with you now that your Step Father has passed.

Both will be plenty for your beginning steps and beyond with some well thought out fixtures to lend the support necessary for cutting thin wall, hardened tubing. I'd suggest spending a good chunk of the next year carefully designing fixture systems to hold the tubing fast to the tables and then learning the capabilities of the machines by fabricating them.

Have fun,

Rody

[MattV]

Thanks for the green light on the machines Rody. Having almost zero experience your suggestion to learn how to use them by making jigs makes a ton of sense. Thankfully, a neighbor has experience and can get me started on the basics.

Going to hit up the forum search bar to try and find some diy ideas on jigs. Any favorite links out there that people would be willing to share is appreciated.