Makin Chips

[ShayArnett]

Brought my machine home today and set it up in the "workshop" got some of my starter tooling and played around cutting some nylon.

Can't wait till Friday when my collets get here and I can do some real cutting.

I ordered a 5" vise, and it just barely fits on the crossslide table without it's swivel base, and I have to get some longer t-nuts to bolt it down with, so I was just using the toolpost mount thingy as a clamp with the nylon. Why does that piece open up anyway? its almost like a vise on a swivel base, and the tool holder sits on top of it, but it has a big fat knob that is hard to get good clamping pressure with.

I am planning on building a screwless vise, a quick change toolpost holder, and a couple other little tools for this machine, and working on a cnc machine.

What other fun little projects are you guys doing in your spare time, like small gifts and doo-dads, etc.? Steam engines are popular I see, and so are hammers LOL but other than that I can't really find many fun little projects to do.

[ShayArnett]

I just checked my lathe toolbits, and I ordered 3/8" toolbits because thats what was listed as tool size for the lathe, but 3/4" tools would put the top close to center. I guess I will have to order some 3/4" tools or make a huge spacer to lift these tools.


[edit] Just checked on enco and the 3/4" blanks are 5 times as much... guess i'll stick with 3/8" blanks.

[balsaman]

Cool. Lots of folks make tools with thier tools.

Eric

[ViperTX]

When you get a chance upgrade your lathe tools to indexable carbide insert units....you'll be much happier....I certainly am.