Thread: Machinist's / hobby machinist's

I'm a very amature hobby machinist, early stages of learning to run a lathe and mill. I have noticed quite a few hobby machinists etc on this forum, its probably somthing in gun owners personality that attracts them to building things, its the same as motorcycles, i have noticed many people that shoot also ride.

Any way, is there a nz based forum or Facebook group that people use, I have come accross lots of overseas stuff but it would be great to discuss things with local people to see where people are getting supplies etc, most forums just point you to American websites and there freight charges are just over the top.

Also does any one know where I can get a backplate for a 5 or 6 inch chuck for a 9x20 lathe, it has the M39x4 spindle thread, I emailed machinery house who I got it from, but they were not to helpful, I could machine it myself but I believe I need to make it from cast iron and I have no idea where to get a piece that size.

Cheers
Russell