What did you do today?

[nickel-city-fab]

Spent half a day learning how to part off on my lathe, with 1/16 X 1/2 blades.... on 2" hot rolled. Let's just say I learned a lot, and it was a long (and frustrating) day. But I learned. Let's just say that it is not nearly as rigid as the machines I am used to, so *everything* must be just right, and go slow...

[danlb]

Spent half a day learning how to part off on my lathe, with 1/16 X 1/2 blades.... on 2" hot rolled. Let's just say I learned a lot, and it was a long (and frustrating) day. But I learned. Let's just say that it is not nearly as rigid as the machines I am used to, so *everything* must be just right, and go slow...

This is a case where rake makes a difference too. I found that my 7x10 likes a lot of rake on the 1/16 x 1/2 blade. Never had any problems using this blade as long as I dripped lube in the cut and backed it out to clear chips periodically. The picture was originally made to point out the extra shaping needed to bring the cutting edge down to the centerline when using different tool posts.

[danlb]

Today I found that the 23&me genetic tests can work both ways. Last month a stranger contacted me and, with a little detective work we determined that she was my late brother's daughter. That got me to thinking about another young lady whose mother told her that she was related to our family, but she could not remember which brother she dated. According to what she was told, she was my grand daughter. She's a really nice young lady and we've talked a few times. I sent her and one of my sons a DNA test kit so that we could find out for sure and give her some closure.

We were both saddened when her analysis came back and showed no relationship. Zero. Nada. Zip. Sigh. I thought it was a nice gesture.

Dan

[nickel-city-fab]

This is a case where rake makes a difference too. I found that my 7x10 likes a lot of rake on the 1/16 x 1/2 blade. Never had any problems using this blade as long as I dripped lube in the cut and backed it out to clear chips periodically. The picture was originally made to point out the extra shaping needed to bring the cutting edge down to the centerline when using different tool posts.

]

Thanks. I may try that in the future. My holder tips the blade at an angle in addition to the one thats already ground in. Main thing I learned is to pull out and clean things every now and then. And VERY important to lock the carriage.... and lots of oil. And VERY important to go slow. like, in back gears slow at 50 RPM. Because the cut will close up, grab the blade, and Bad Things (TM) will happen. Also feed *very* steady slow and careful -- or the same Bad Things (TM) happen.

[Cenedd]

We were both saddened when her analysis came back and showed no relationship. Zero. Nada. Zip. Sigh. I thought it was a nice gesture.

I have to say it.... alright, I'll admit the lubrication is more than sufficient (but it's my birthday so I'll not apologise! ;-p). Point is that a relationship is what you make of it. It only matters as far as you let it get the genetics are. There are people closely related that have almost zero relationship and those with no genetic closeness that are as thick as thieves. The relationship is what the pair of you make of it regardless of genetics. Hell if she's interested in a lathe † , adopt her on the spot! ;-D Just don't wreck what sounds like a good thing on a technicality dude.


† or a mill....a bench grinder even!

[challenger]

Today I received a killer combo of drill chucks. Like Christmas morning.

[mattthemuppet]

Thanks. I may try that in the future. My holder tips the blade at an angle in addition to the one thats already ground in. Main thing I learned is to pull out and clean things every now and then. And VERY important to lock the carriage.... and lots of oil. And VERY important to go slow. like, in back gears slow at 50 RPM. Because the cut will close up, grab the blade, and Bad Things (TM) will happen. Also feed *very* steady slow and careful -- or the same Bad Things (TM) happen.

2" steel is pretty big for thin blades like that. On my (smaller) lathe, I find that they wander too much when sticking out more than 1/2-5/8" from the holder. Sometimes I'll start with a 0.04" blade than then finish off with a 3/32", which can tolerate a larger stick out.

[nickel-city-fab]

2" steel is pretty big for thin blades like that. On my (smaller) lathe, I find that they wander too much when sticking out more than 1/2-5/8" from the holder. Sometimes I'll start with a 0.04" blade than then finish off with a 3/32", which can tolerate a larger stick out.

Yep. I learned to choke the blade up tight or it'll flex all over and break. After doing all that, I up and ordered some 3/32 blades, and also some carbide insert cutoff holders. I plan to see what works best in this lathe.

[Jim Stewart]

I've had much less drama by using the power crossfeed.

-js

[J Tiers]

Went over to the neighbor's and helped (mostly did) install a frost-free outside tap to replace the one that I capped off inside after it froze up some years back. Tthey decided they wanted it again.

Pin in the butt, old house, nothing aligned, no room for the union where I wanted to out it, etc. Had to almost do it twice before it was all aligned and not leaking. I do not like plumbing, and I do not particularly like pipe unions.

It got done, got cemented in on the brick wall, and does not leak. Time for a beer or three.

[J Tiers]

As for that cutoff deal, If that is the Logan you were talking about before (did you get another lathe?), my Logan 200 will part off with almost anything that has an edge to it if you get the gibs snug, crosslide straight at 90 deg, lock carriage, Get the tool on center and then just crank in reasonably aggressively.

The carbide parting tool setups are nice because they are wider at the tip and are less critical as to the 90 degrees. Also they have clearance below the edge on the sides.

I do not own a "parting tool blade holder" for HSS. I part off with anything that looks sorta like a grooving tool, and it works. I DO have a couple of the carbide holders with inserts in them, and they work well also.

[Dan Dubeau]

I got to play with one of my new mowers for a bit. The deck belt tensioner on this one was a bit stuck so I "unstuck" it the best I could, checked the fluids and greased all the zerks I could find and went for a quick trip to find some grass that needed cutting. Ended up doing about half of my trails and a bit of light bush hogging, and put just over an hour on it. Areas I normally use the tractor and bush hog for, the kubota breezed through about the same speed. Actually probably a bit faster because it was easier to maneuver turning around, and getting all the hard to reach areas. Way less taxing on the body running this with the blades in front, power steering and HST vs the old massey with armstrong steering a clutch, and the blades behind you. It's still NOT a bush hog though so I wont use it like one, but it's great for these in between areas I had to use the bush hog on because my normal mower wouldn't handle it.

Going to pick up some belts, bearings, and blades and completely redo the deck on the other machine next week, and save this one for "rougher cutting". The deck on this one is pretty holy and has been "repaired" a few times, but it still got the job done. The other machine is actually much nicer as a whole, despite having more hours on it.



Always thought one of these front deck mowers would have been perfect for my uses around here, but today confirmed it. I've been doing it the hard way for 10 years.

[PStechPaul]

Looks like my long-neglected meadow. I was up there today clipping some small branches. Might fire up my brush cutter and schlep it up there.

[plunger]

Today ,being Fathers day I decided to go fishing on my kayak.I was double up on tuna which made life interesting.
At least I got some back.

[Mcgyver]

Today ,being Fathers day I decided to go fishing on my kayak.I was double up on tuna which made life interesting.
]

ok, I'm done, no contest. Can I just mail you my man card?

That is nuts!