[simpits-tech] My first lathe attempt

[Marv De Beque]

Nylon and derlin are great materials to get started with.

You can buy tooling at Enco and MSC relatively cheaply.  Look them up on the
Web.

For plastics and nylon type of materials, use a low speed setting on the
lathe and HSS (high speed steel) cutting tools.  Carbide is not necessary
and will not be sharp enough.

The secret is a sharp tool.  You can dress the tool with a honing stone if
required.

To cut narrow grooves I use a HSS cutoff blade.  It is about 0.090" wide and
I sharpen it on a grinding wheel to get the point and shape I need.  There
are some really narrow cutoff blades available, too.  I have some with an
edge width of about 0.040".

Plastics are soft and you need to make a more aggressive cut than with
metals.  I can shave off less than 0.001" at a time with aluminum, but nylon
will simply compress under the tool and must be cut to size with bigger
cuts.

I don't know what kind of tool holder Taig uses, so you may need to join a
user's group and find out what the hot setup is.  Once you know what size
tools will fit, order some tool steel from one of the two places I mentioned
and go to town.

When you move to steel, brass, and aluminum you should consider carbide
tools.  You can buy a tool holder that holds triangular carbide inserts.
These tools really are superior when cutting metal to regular tool steel.

A good cutoff blade (also known as a parting blade) with a stable holder is
important.  Cutting off metal is not easy, especially on a small lathe.
Tool stability is very important.

Then there are boring bars and other tool accessories you will need.  ;-)

Good luck!

Marv


On 12/28/02 9:22 PM, "Craig Rochester" <johncraigroch@msn.com> wrote:

> I bought a Taig lathe and am trying to turn a piston for my G-suit regulator
> rig.
> http://pages.zdnet.com/johncraigrochester/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpict
> ures/new_qev.jpg  Here's a sketch of the piston :
> http://pages.zdnet.com/johncraigrochester/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpict
> ures/piston.jpg
> 
> I'm making it out of 1.5" Delrin rod.  I have to turn the diameter down by
> 0.020" and cut groves for two cup seals.  I got the lathe set up, the 1.5"
> diameter rod set in the 4 jaw chuck and aligned.  I needed a "dial gage" to
> get the bar aligned properly.  Not having one, I used the "gage head" LVDT
> from my stick-base project and it worked great.  I used a bit that came with
> the lathe(shaped like a clothes iron) to try turning the OD.  I'm sure I'm
> not doing it right, but it worked OK, I've still got all my fingers. :)
> 
> The cup seal grove needs to be very smooth (15 microinches).  Anybody
> willing to advise me on how to proceed?  Could I use a thin wood chisle and
> grind it to the proper width, and then dial it staight in?
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Craig R.
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:    simpits-tech-admin@simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-admin@simpits.org]
> On Behalf Of James Hallows
> Sent:    Saturday, December 28, 2002 7:54 PM
> To:    simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Subject:    Re: [simpits-tech] Vero/Prototype board layout programs?
> 
> At 11:46 24/12/02 -0600, you wrote:
>> Hello James,
>> 
>> Congradulations on your new house!
> 
> Aah - well it's not certain yet. But I hope it comes together as it's got a
> double garage and that means room for a pit ;)
> 
>> ( and the move to the bottom right hand corner of the UK)
> 
> That's where we used to live - we're now in Bristol/Bath - bottom left.
> It's where "Double-0-Two" - the first British-built Concorde had her maiden
> voyage in May 1966, when it took off on the short flight from Filton
> Airfield to Fairford in Gloucestershire. It's also the home of Rolls Royce
> and BAE Systems, just to put it on the map ;)
> 
>> My travel plans are not completely nailed down yet, but Ill let you know as
>> it comes into foucus.
> 
> Yup do that.
> 
>>  I know you are busy, so if its too hard I understand.
>> I will be going to Europe many times in 2003, so maybe on one of those hops
>> I can meet up with you.
> 
> Definitely Chris. When we've got our house you've got a place to stay
> whenever you need to.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> James
> 
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