Turkey day project

[sidegrinder]

It was nice to have a couple of relaxing hours in the shop yesterday! I made a small plinth for my smithy a while back that works very well. It is more solid than the compound and much more compact (the main reason I made it, given the limited working area.) I still use the compound plenty for tapers and threading. Problem is, I only had one top nut and it was getting a little annoying switching it from the plinth to the compound and vice versa. So yesterday I turned out a new nut. After tapping for the bolt, cutting the bevel/taper/ballish end, this is what I had.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/sidegrinder/plinthnut001.jpg
After turning, I took it out to the garage and bent the tapered shaft with a torch and some pipe. Here it is on the plinth with the turret tool holder.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/sidegrinder/plinthnut005.jpg
Here's one more shot with a stout (for my scale) boring bar in the tool holder.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/sidegrinder/plinthnut006.jpg
Looking back, there are 2 things I would have done differently. One, I have a whole pile of drill rod that I just got from Enco that I probably should have used--granted in a home shop environment this will out live me. Two, I should have used my ball-cutter to clean up the eyeballed ball. I did think of this, but it was after I had already bent it so I was SOL. Still turned out great. Hope everyone had a good holiday! Sidegrinder.

[BobWarfield]

Sidegrinder, I see you love to make those blue chips too. I hate when one goes down the collar of my shirt though, especially when I'm coming up close to the chuck or a shoulder on power feed!

Heck, I was just thinking I kinda liked the shape of your eyeballed handle ball. It seemed a little fresher and more modern than a perfect ball.

Keep it up!

Best,

BW

[miker]

That is very nice. Thanks for sharing.
The cutting tool in the first photo, is that home ground? Could you post a close up pic of the tool.

Rgds

[kap pullen]

Bob,

You love those little blue chips?

I've had enough stick to my nose, lip, ear, arm, neck, chest, in the pocket, or in the shoe to detest the little b*******.

I was hitting on some sweat young thing some years ago and she says "what are you? a drug user?"

She picked up on those scars on the inside of the arm from the knarly little
chips from the chip control inserts on the lathe.

You may need more experience (burns) to get your mind togather.

Kap

[sidegrinder]

Kap is right about those chips! I've only been at this going on 3yrs, and I've already had enough of 'em on my neck to last a lifetime--maybe it's magnecktic! (I know, I'm no comedian...) Miker, that toolbit is a homeground 3/8" cobalt. I'll get a pic up for you. Have fun, Sidegrinder.

[BobWarfield]

I do like making them, the burns not so much, but i've got to where I can stand out of the way of most of them. The alternative of slowing down the machine is just not acceptible!

Best,

BW

[sidegrinder]

Okay Miker, here's 3 views of the toolbit. This one happens to be a better quality Armstrong, but I've had good luck with the 10% Enco colbalts too. It's a basic 60 degree cutter that I used to finish up the ball end on the plinth top nut.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/sidegrinder/grind005.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/sidegrinder/grind001.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/sidegrinder/grind003.jpg

I'm going to put up a post about my poor excuse for a tool bit grinder now too :)

[Your Old Dog]

Looks like a satisfying project! I also like the shape of the ball you ended up with. I also appreciate the pics. We all just love to see some pics of damn near anything. :D

[sidegrinder]

Yeah I hear you about the pics. I've been lurking on this forum for a couple of years and am trying to give a little back now. Every time I post one of my six grade shop projects, someone comes along with a real beauty like Marv's deck gun and makes me just about want to run back in my hole:o

[miker]

Thanks for the close up pics of the tool and also the followup thread on the grinder.

Rgds