QCTP tool blocks

[Snag]

I've picked up some more indexable tooling with 10mm shanks and I'm
going to need more blocks . I'm looking at some A36 and some 1018 cold
drwan , both reasonably priced . Does either have an advantage over the
other ?

[Jim Wilkins]

"Snag" wrote in message news:vd291u$3sffa$***@dont-email.me...

I've picked up some more indexable tooling with 10mm shanks and I'm
going to need more blocks . I'm looking at some A36 and some 1018 cold
drawn, both reasonably priced . Does either have an advantage over the
other ?
Snag

-----------------------------------------

I think A36 implies hot rolled. If the one you pick has distortion or
surface finish problems you could anneal it, which has cured mystery metal
for me.

Shims that raise the 10mm holders to the same cutting edge height as your
other tooling might be simpler.

The other day I ran across a watchmakers lathe for sale and have been
considering whether or not to buy it. After reading accounts of using one I
don't think I need to learn precision turning with hand held gravers, and my
Sears AA has the speed for polishing and drilling small deep holes. I turned
extra long #0-80 fillister head screws on my 10" South Bend and probably
won't ever need something that small again. Perhaps the price of the lathe
would be more usefully spent on a few 5C metric collets.

Opinions?

The watch lathe glue chuck used melted flake shellac to hold an odd shaped
part that was centered by the tailstock spindle. Alcohol removes it when
done, and it might be good for holding granite for polishing.

jsw

[Snag]

  I've picked up some more indexable tooling with 10mm shanks and I'm
going to need more blocks . I'm looking at some A36 and some 1018 cold
drawn, both reasonably priced . Does either have an advantage over the
other ?
Snag
-----------------------------------------
I think A36 implies hot rolled. If the one you pick has distortion or
surface finish problems you could anneal it, which has cured mystery
metal for me.
Shims that raise the 10mm holders to the same cutting edge height as
your other tooling might be simpler.

You're right , the A36 looks like hot rolled . I think I'll get the
1018 for this job . It's a couple of bucks more than the A36 but that's
no big deal . As far as tool height , my current tooling is 5/16" and I
have enough room to drop the holders for the new stuff to centerline .
I'll just shave the top ledge a little thinner .

The other day I ran across a watchmakers lathe for sale and have been
considering whether or not to buy it. After reading accounts of using
one I don't think I need to learn precision turning with hand held
gravers, and my Sears AA has the speed for polishing and drilling small
deep holes. I turned extra long #0-80 fillister head screws on my 10"
South Bend and probably won't ever need something that small again.
Perhaps the price of the lathe would be more usefully spent on a few 5C
metric collets.
Opinions?

Sounds like you've already got tools to do what the watchmakers lathe
will do ...

The watch lathe glue chuck used melted flake shellac to hold an odd
shaped part that was centered by the tailstock spindle. Alcohol removes
it when done, and it might be good for holding granite for polishing.
jsw

Must be for really small pieces ... I wouldn't trust any kind of glue
to hold stuff the size of what I'm usually turning .

[Jim Wilkins]

"Snag" wrote in message news:vd3jbr$663d$***@dont-email.me...

On 9/26/2024 6:25 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
...
Sounds like you've already got tools to do what the watchmakers lathe
will do ...

------------------
Maybe, I don't know if one will do something I need better than what I have;
the plain bearing, leather belt drive 10" doesn't spin very fast and the AA
has a bent and imperfectly straightened spindle, their common ailment. A
comparison of watch and mini lathes said the watch lathe's main advantage
was being finger safe for close-up work, but so are 5C collets. The Multifix
tool post lets hand-ground HSS bits in Armstrong holders enter a tight
recess at a variable angle about as well as a lantern post so I don't think
a graver would have any advantage there.

I just dug out my spare 5C collets to inventory them and found a pot collet
bored 2", exactly what I need to complete the steel bandsaw blade guide
rollers for the sawmill. Aluminum rollers are showing wear.

The Sherline was suggested as an alternative to a watch lathe. I had one in
my lab at Mitre and wasn't impressed with its feel or capacity, even for
small electronics work. To me the Prazi clone was a reasonable minimum for
what I was doing. Despite its 1920's design the ergonomics of my South Bend
has spoiled me for other machines I've tried, like a Smithy Granite.

[Jim Wilkins]

"Jim Wilkins" wrote in message news:vd3p9b$73cd$***@dont-email.me...

I just dug out my spare 5C collets to inventory them and found a pot collet
bored 2", exactly what I need to complete the steel bandsaw blade guide
rollers for the sawmill.
-------------------------------
The used 2" collet didn't feel right when tightened. Close examination
showed flash from the saw cuts folded back on the taper, and compressed
almost invisible. Stoning off the flash and raised metal around a ding let
it close more normally.

[Snag]

Post by Jim Wilkins
I just dug out my spare 5C collets to inventory them and found a pot collet
bored 2", exactly what I need to complete the steel bandsaw blade guide
rollers for the sawmill.
-------------------------------
The used 2" collet didn't feel right when tightened. Close examination
showed flash from the saw cuts folded back on the taper, and compressed
almost invisible. Stoning off the flash and raised metal around a ding
let it close more normally.

I'm using the new 3" chuck right now to machine a slug for a
veterinary syringe . I bought several at a yard sale with the idea of
using them as oilers . The oil turned the barrel seals to goo so I'm
machining an aluminum slug with an o-ring to replace the goo . Actually
it'll have two , one to seal the plunger shaft and one for the barrel .

[Jim Wilkins]

"Snag" wrote in message news:vd4lvm$cvi6$***@dont-email.me...

I'm using the new 3" chuck right now to machine a slug for a
veterinary syringe . I bought several at a yard sale with the idea of
using them as oilers . The oil turned the barrel seals to goo so I'm
machining an aluminum slug with an o-ring to replace the goo . Actually
it'll have two , one to seal the plunger shaft and one for the barrel .
--
Snag
Voting for Kamabla after Biden
is like changing your shirt because
you shit your pants .
------------------------------------

The type with a narrow-edged plastic piston that slightly expands the bore
where it contacts seems OK with petroleum products like grease.

Hydraulic seals are made of Buna-N or nitrile rubber. Viton should also
work.

[Snag]

  I'm using the new 3" chuck right now to machine a slug for a
veterinary syringe . I bought several at a yard sale with the idea of
using them as oilers . The oil turned the barrel seals to goo so I'm
machining an aluminum slug with an o-ring to replace the goo . Actually
it'll have two , one to seal the plunger shaft and one for the barrel .

-----------------
The type with a narrow-edged plastic piston that slightly expands the
bore where it contacts seems OK with petroleum products like grease.

Hydraulic seals are made of Buna-N or nitrile rubber. Viton should also
work.

-----------------

These are glass tube assemblies with gaskets . I have some HDPE I
could make a piston from but I'd have to have 2 thin edges so it would
be able to suck oil up into the syringe . I think I'll stick with the
o-ring design . I have metric and SAE assortments - I'd have to go out
to the shop to see what they're made of and that ain't happenin' tonight .
This morning I pulled the bed off my truck so I could do some
finish-up work on the exhaust (finish some welding and fab/install a
crossover pipe) and so I can remove the axle to take to the shop . I
have a guy that's done gear set replacements that's going to do mine .
He got a bunch of Sioux valve/guide/seat tooling in exchange for the
axle work . It's going in as a 2.73:1 regular differential . It's coming
home with 3.42's and an Eaton style posi locker .
And my back hurts . After 4 shots of 99 proof whiskey it still hurts
but now I don't care .