What did you do today?

[wierdscience]

Finished these today, some M42 threaded studs in 1144 Stress Proof. Single pointing the 4.5 pitch turning into the shoulder was let's say "exciting". Less than 1/2 a second between good and Oh Sh*t! That's a BXA tool holder in the picture for scale.

[The Metal Butcher]

Finished these today, some M42 threaded studs in 1144 Stress Proof. Single pointing the 4.5 pitch turning into the shoulder was let's say "exciting". Less than 1/2 a second between good and Oh Sh*t! That's a BXA tool holder in the picture for scale.

Looks great! How slow does your lathe run?

[wierdscience]

Looks great! How slow does your lathe run?

I did that on the Grizz 4003, 70rpm is the lowest, normally I flip the tool and run in reverse so I am feeding away from the shoulder. But this time the only holder I had to fit the 22R4.5 insert wouldn't allow it.

[The Metal Butcher]

I did that on the Grizz 4003, 70rpm is the lowest, normally I flip the tool and run in reverse so I am feeding away from the shoulder. But this time the only holder I had to fit the 22R4.5 insert wouldn't allow it.

Damn! Big parts for that lathe. I can see how that would be a challenge. Espcially with such a small leadscrew, numbers would be wizzing by if not for being metric.

My Sidney runs 20RPM so the fast threads aren't so frightening.

[wierdscience]

Damn! Big parts for that lathe. I can see how that would be a challenge. Espcially with such a small leadscrew, numbers would be wizzing by if not for being metric.

My Sidney runs 20RPM so the fast threads aren't so frightening.

This little machine has so far surprised me as to what it can do. It had no issues with power threading this stuff and zero chatter. I chose it for the task because our old Hendey is a PITA to setup for metric and the Lansing is an absolute pig to thread on, the ergonomics suck on that machine.

[Bob Engelhardt]

Recently I was trying to make a face mill along the lines of this one:


On the third one, it still wasn't right, but will work. Next was to make a insert holder for my fly cutter, using the same recycling of the obtuse points of worn out CCMT inserts. Not wanting to repeat the bumbling of the face mill, I made a step by step how-to picture-book:


Very useful for this novice mill-er. The tool has some warts & is not photo-worthy, but there were no blunders in its making.

[wierdscience]

Made a simple fixture for drilling safety wire holes in socket head cap screws. The hex in the middle is a piece of 10mm hex that I turned a 5/16 shoulder on and threaded 5/16-24 for a nut to hold it into a reamed hole in the fixture. These screws get drilled through in three places in the center of the flats. Once the hex was assembled and timed in the fixture, I drilled and reamed the fixture and the hex for a couple 3/16 x 1/16 drill bushings. With a good split point cobalt drill it didn't take long to drill all 50 screws in this batch.

[Mr Fixit]

HI wierdsience,

The fixture you made that has the drill bushings. Can you explain more about those. I had not heard of such a thing and I need to do a similar fixture for 1/4 x 20 bolts for a project. I have taken a hex nut and installed it like your allen wrench piece.

TX
Mr fixit for the family
Chris

[eKretz]

HI wierdsience,

The fixture you made that has the drill bushings. Can you explain more about those. I had not heard of such a thing and I need to do a similar fixture for 1/4 x 20 bolts for a project. I have taken a hex nut and installed it like your allen wrench piece.

TX
Mr fixit for the family
Chris

A drill bushing is a very hard flanged (or not) bushing that is pressed or otherwise secured into a hole in softer material to act as a guide for a drill. They are hardened so they don't wear when rubbed by the drill, even after many holes. When they finally wear out, you pop them out and put new ones in - hey presto! Good as new.

[wierdscience]

HI wierdsience,

The fixture you made that has the drill bushings. Can you explain more about those. I had not heard of such a thing and I need to do a similar fixture for 1/4 x 20 bolts for a project. I have taken a hex nut and installed it like your allen wrench piece.

TX
Mr fixit for the family
Chris

What eKretz said. McMaster Carr has a good selection of the different types.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/drill-bushings/

[Mr Fixit]

This is why this forum and the people here are so awesome. Willing to share your knowledge and helping those of us less knowledgeable to be able to learn from your years of experience and talents..

All I can say is thanks for sharing..

TX
Mr fixit for the family
Chris

[junkaddict]

I've been wanting to dry my shop air for a while but never considered dessicants, was thinking of using an expansion style system instead. But how often does the desiccant need drying? Do you have to remove it and dry it or is there some easier method?

I have a condenser of sorts I got from a storeroom at an estate sale of a manufacturing place. It is 1/2" serpentine copper tube. The dryer is just a "final wash" as it were. The desiccant turns orange when saturated, and I would have to take it out to recharge it. Since it is aluminum, I suppose I could wrap some of that insulated heating element wire around it, and crack a vent valve. If I get a wild hair and make an improved version, I may design it for a heater.

[Bob Engelhardt]

This not a "How to make a utility knife holder", it's "PVC pipe can be shaped into useful forms". A 250°(F) oven - minimum of 5 minutes, longer for softer.

[ChazzC]

This not a "How to make a utility knife holder", it's "PVC pipe can be shaped into useful forms". A 250°(F) oven - minimum of 5 minutes, longer for softer.

A heat gun works well if you want to localize the re-shaping. I while back transformed a 1-1/4" vacuum crevasse tool into a T-Slot Cleaner:



Not pretty, but does a great job sucking swarf out of the slots (and the nooks & crannies around the vise or other working holding setup).

[alanganes]

Recently I was trying to make a face mill along the lines of this one:


On the third one, it still wasn't right, but will work. Next was to make a insert holder for my fly cutter, using the same recycling of the obtuse points of worn out CCMT inserts.

I have never thought of specific tooling to make use of the unused points on diamond shaped inserts. Very resourceful Bob!