Some Lathe Stuff

[deere2210]

Some Lathe & Mill Stuff

Started out restoring my 1967 RS Camaro.. Project has been running over 17 years (time/money/priorities), and just really focused on it the last three years. As part of the restore process I bought an old Bridgeport mill to make some of the parts that I couldn't find for the car.. Found out I really like machining and building stuff.. Sold the Bridgeport and bought a CNC mill & lathe.. Now I go looking for stuff broke to fix or make..

Below are some new door lock knobs and collars I turned on the lathe for the Camaro and a couple other things..

Wine Stoppers my wife wanted me to make.. 6061 AL on top, 304SS bottom, powder coated..

Broke the handle on my HF bandsaw.. Quick fix..

 

[mayday0017]

Nice! If yah lived down here in houston you could get a full time job as a machinest making good money. People that know how to run manual machines and program CNC both make some pretty good change.

 

[Primered Thunder]

What brand of CNC's did you purchase? Throw up some pics!

 

[uniballer]

It is great, I use my fathers mill and lathe for building older car parts(the simple ones). But some things are best left bought, cant get all done with simple mill ends and bits.
Also took cc classes on programming, that helped on making complex parts.

 

[deere2210]

I started off with a 3 axis Tormach to replace the Bridgeport.. Good little mill.. Someday hoping to get the 4th axis for it, but will see.. I also had an Enco 9x20 lathe that I cut my teeth on.. Decided to go with a Haas TL-2 as a replacement.. Ability to easily cut threads has been great.. Solidworks for drawing stuff out, Sprutcam Cam for mill, and OneCNC for lathe plus usually a lot of hand editing. Day job is in software industry so that helped on the programming.. No previous experience in machinining so for the last three years I have read every book I can find at night on the subject and just chucked stuff up and went at it..

 

[deere2210]

Nice! If yah lived down here in houston you could get a full time job as a machinest making good money. People that know how to run manual machines and program CNC both make some pretty good change.

Thanks! I enjoy it. I'm in Ohio and alot of machinist jobs have just disappeared.. It's a skill that I hope to continue to improve on and teach my kids..

 

[NASTYZEN]

Nice machines and work deere2210.
But your shop is way too clean n tidy!

 

[Kevin54]

Thanks! I enjoy it. I'm in Ohio and alot of machinist jobs have just disappeared.. It's a skill that I hope to continue to improve on and teach my kids..

A fellow Buckeye. Welcome.

What area of Ohio are you from?

Glad to see you like machining. And glad to see you want to pass that knowledge on down to your kids. I've been a machinist/Toolmaker over half of my life. There is no better relaxation than taking a piece of rawstock and turning it into something useful.

I recently retired from my job due to medical reasons, but just bought a Lagun mill to have something to tinker around on and stay out of momma's hair at times. I bought a small Atlas lathe a while back but am already looking for something larger. Now I have to get the mill hooked up as it's just sitting there calling me.

Be sure to post up your projects, as it will give quite a few ideas on what to do or make. I may even have you do some CNC work for me if you are willing and I need something made. Hopefully I can get a 3 axis later on or retrofit the Lagun.

 

[[email protected]]

Those are some serious machines!

 

[Primered Thunder]

Very nice choice on the Haas TL-2. Any reason you chose the Tormach over the Haas tool room mill?

 

[deere2210]

A fellow Buckeye. Welcome.

What area of Ohio are you from?

Glad to see you like machining. And glad to see you want to pass that knowledge on down to your kids. I've been a machinist/Toolmaker over half of my life. There is no better relaxation than taking a piece of rawstock and turning it into something useful.

I recently retired from my job due to medical reasons, but just bought a Lagun mill to have something to tinker around on and stay out of momma's hair at times. I bought a small Atlas lathe a while back but am already looking for something larger. Now I have to get the mill hooked up as it's just sitting there calling me.

Be sure to post up your projects, as it will give quite a few ideas on what to do or make. I may even have you do some CNC work for me if you are willing and I need something made. Hopefully I can get a 3 axis later on or retrofit the Lagun.

Thanks, I'm down in SW Ohio (Kings Island area).. How about you? I agree, it's a blast to visualize something and then make chips.. Be glad to help you out on any CNC machining you need.. Might also pick your brain on some things from time to time. Fixturing is one that I have found out is a speciality by itself.. Have a bunch of pictures of projects that I will continue to post on this thread. Thanks!

 

[deere2210]

Very nice choice on the Haas TL-2. Any reason you chose the Tormach over the Haas tool room mill?

At the time, I liked that Tormach had everything bundled together for a newbie and it was easier to get started. I do like their mill and the Tormach team has always been friendly and ready to assist on questions/support. I have looked at the Haas Super Mini Mill 2's and really like them.. Maybe at some point I'll sell the Tormach and make the change, but will have to wait and see. Biggest problem would be reinvesting in tooling for a different machine..

 

[nine4gmc]

nice work and nice machines!!

 

[deere2210]

Couple mill items.. These are Harley saddlebag latches that are machined out on the mill. I powdercoat and then laser engrave them, or send them out for chrome.. Made a few for friends and sold a couple.

6061-T6 Aluminum - machine one side, flip and do other

This one I did ball milled and then send it out for chrome..

Had a guy out West who wanted a latch to match his saddlebag paint scheme.. He sent me a picture of the bag and then had to figure out how to duplicate the design on the latch..

I like to ride and made a set of POW/MIA for my bike and rode to Washington this past Memorial Day for Rolling Thunder.. Powdercoat and then laser engraved.

 

[deere2210]

Couple more quick ones.. I changed the old Muncie trans out for a Richmond 5 speed on the Camaro.. The RS's had a back up light switch when the car was put in reverse.. it was long gone and not sure how I was going to do it. So built a brack, bought a cheap switch and machined out a bracket to bolt to side of trans for the linkage to engage..

Welded two pieces together and then machined the angles to get the right line for the linkage to engage.. Be honest, something so simple took me a Saturday..

 

[jhn9840]

Wow, Deere you do some great work. Show us more when you have the chance.

jhn9840
John

 

[A_Pmech]

Nice work!

 

[Primered Thunder]

Nice work!

Indeed!

 

[deere2210]

Have a bunch of pics so hope not too many..

Decided to build a little bobber based on HD Sportster salvage motor.. Trying to build alot of it instead of buy. These are oil tank brackets and little motion absorbers. I saw the use of the rubber on a different forum a guy had used in a similiar fashion and thought his idea was cool so tried it out.

Bought the tank but made the brackets and bungs.

Turned aluminum washers and rubber absorbers

 

[deere2210]

HD shift linkages and timing covers.. As my wife says.. you sure spend a lot of time in the garage every night and on the weekends...

Timing Covers..

Built a fixture jig so I can quickly drill the bolt patterns for any future ones..

Powdercoated it black and then laser engraved with a pic I found..

 

[deere2210]

One more set.. Cutting down the cam cover on the motor to give it a different look..

Little nerve wrecking to make sure it was aligned straight so didn't mill into the wall of the oil jacket.. Took a while figuring out the fixture and making sure it was straight..

 

[Primered Thunder]

Need a pic of that cover back on the Sporty! Nice work man!

 

[coldfusion21]

What coolant do you use in the mill? It's so clear it almost looks like water.

Great work and very impressive for a self taught guy.

 

[Kevin54]

Thanks, I'm down in SW Ohio (Kings Island area).. How about you? I agree, it's a blast to visualize something and then make chips.. Be glad to help you out on any CNC machining you need.. Might also pick your brain on some things from time to time. Fixturing is one that I have found out is a speciality by itself.. Have a bunch of pictures of projects that I will continue to post on this thread. Thanks!

I'm in Urbana, which is 15 minutes North of Springfield and maybe 30-45 northeast of Dayton.

Pick away. I am a Toolmaker, or was before I retired, but along with doing that I was also a tool designer.

And yes I'm jealous of your machines. I can only hope for one day here at home.

 

[deere2210]

Need a pic of that cover back on the Sporty! Nice work man!

Check a couple pics up.. The first one is right after taking it off the mill and seeing how it looks.. That little piece on the left is real critical for cam alignment.. Matches up to a dowel pin in the case..

 

[deere2210]

Need a pic of that cover back on the Sporty! Nice work man!

What coolant do you use in the mill? It's so clear it almost looks like water.

Great work and very impressive for a self taught guy.

I was running a synthetic that came with it.. Always real clear.. I recently changed to Blasocut 2000 for the lathe and mill.. Looks a lot different than than the other stuff and seems to be better..

 

[deere2210]

I'm in Urbana, which is 15 minutes North of Springfield and maybe 30-45 northeast of Dayton.

Pick away. I am a Toolmaker, or was before I retired, but along with doing that I was also a tool designer.

And yes I'm jealous of your machines. I can only hope for one day here at home.

You are practically my neighbor! I'll take you up on it!

 

[deere2210]

Couple more.. These were from last winter.. Battery is too close to fit between rear fender and frame.. Saw some pic's of old WWII bikes with batteries on the side so decided to give it a try..

My welds aren't real good compared to everything I see on here.. Still trying..

The battery top didn't need any tight tolerances so break out the 2x4..

Ended up using all-thread and some brass tubing to cover it..

 

[Primered Thunder]

Check a couple pics up.. The first one is right after taking it off the mill and seeing how it looks.. That little piece on the left is real critical for cam alignment.. Matches up to a dowel pin in the case..

Doh!

 

[BWS]

Lookin good!

Post #5,even though our machineshop is pretty darn clean.......it ain't quite that clean.Got any tips on keepin the mess/chips under control?

How 'bout air quality?Got an plans/ideas on air scrubbers?

 

[Kevin54]

Deere...where are you purchasing your aluminum from?

 

[deere2210]

Lookin good!

Post #5,even though our machineshop is pretty darn clean.......it ain't quite that clean.Got any tips on keepin the mess/chips under control?

How 'bout air quality?Got an plans/ideas on air scrubbers?

Thanks! I'm pretty aggressive on sweeping and keeping things clean. I've just got into the habit that part of doing something means it starts with a clean area and ends clean, makes working easier.. Big believer in tool memory.. It always goes back in the same drawer, same place ever time. I go to my dad's and he has things spread out everywhere and can never find anything. I've got a small air dryer and ran lines to the front and back.. At this point, no other plans on the air front..

 

[deere2210]

Deere...where are you purchasing your aluminum from?

I buy drops from American Metal Supply in Blue Ash. They sell the drops by the pound. If it's close to half a stick though they will charge you by the inch. They usually have a good selection. If it's something they don't have and I need a little bit I've bought through speedymetals.com

 

[deere2210]

Couple more for a clevis and foot peg..

Couldn't figure out a good way to fixture these.

 

[OccupantRJ]

You are doing a hell of a job on machining. You could get a job most anywhere if you wanted, with just your samples. Well done.

 

[deere2210]

You are doing a hell of a job on machining. You could get a job most anywhere if you wanted, with just your samples. Well done.

Thanks! Enjoy the feeling of being able to make something.. Plus I get tired of picking up everything and seeing Made in China..

 

[deere2210]

I still have tons of pics.. I photograph pretty much everything.. Helps me when working on stuff as a reference during/after.. This one is a spacer for a sprocket. Did a belt to chain conversion for the bobber build and needed to push rear sprocket out to align the chain..

Paper and pencil before I figured out how to use Soldiworks..

This was my old Enco 9x20 that I started with.. Was good for starting out, made a bunch of stuff on it..

 

[SportWrench]

Thanks! Enjoy the feeling of being able to make something.. Plus I get tired of picking up everything and seeing Made in China..

Seriously, this is the exact reason We need to get back to making things right here in good ole USA, especially things of metal! Great work deere

 

[darkzero]

Nice work & machines. Love that Dorian TP!

 

[Kevin54]

Deere2210.......One thing an old toolmaker taught me years ago, when it comes to a precision part, never just drill a hole, always drill and ream it. Reaming only takes a few more seconds to do and you have a nice round, clean hole. I asked him what was the difference between a precision part and just an ordinary part.

His answer......A precision part is any part that you will be making, an ordinary part is what everyone else is making. I never really understood it until the day that I had to make some modifications to a part that I made and couldn't pick up a good reference point to start with because I failed to ream the holes and only drilled them. Some parts we had to work with in tenths. I couldn't indicate a drilled hole because it is not exactly round or smooth. And a drill bit, depending on how sharp it is, and what the material is, does not always cut real round hole.

After that, I never just drilled a hole again. I always drilled and reamed.

The only reason that I mentioned it was that on your center hub of your sprocket, you only drilled the mounting holes. Not a big deal unless you would have to make mods to it for some reason. Then the five holes could be used to dowel the sprocket to a fixture and not have to try and indicate it back in.

Don't take it the wrong way, I'm not trying to sound sarcastic. Just mentioning a little thing I learned to make ones machining stand out from others. Hopefully one day, I can gather up some machinery like you have. And I'll be bending your ear from time to time about things.

I just now noticed on this pic that you have what looks like a coolant line hooked up to your toolholder. Is that what it is? And if so, did you modify it that way or is that a factory toolholder? I never saw one like that. All of our machines just had a hose that was above to flood the parts.