The Home Machinist!

Very nice. And thanks again.

Looks like my last hopeful lead didn't pan out. I was doing a bit of reading on 17-4 PH hardening for H-900, and it looks relatively straight forward. 900*F (+/- 10*) for 1 hour with no post treatment required. The surprising thing is that's the hardest it gets. Hotter and/or longer changes other pr...

Thanks for taking the time to cover all that. I've only got a few feelers still out there, and hoping one pans out, but it's looking increasingly likely I'll be needing to follow your advice.

I found this at MMC. Presumably what I need is the hardened version of this? Oddly enough, it's cheaper than unhardened. Obviously I would be better off with the hardened variety, but I wanted to make sure I don't buy $66 (+shipping) material that won't respond to HSS. Is it safe to assume your desc...

Sorry, I meant fed in axially toward the chuck, not literally from the tailstock. Bad choice of words on my part. It was more about the clearance dealing with that axial feed direction where almost none is required on the inside, but extra required on the outside, somewhat like the difference in cle...

I always adjusted mine exactly as described by Russ, and checked as described by liveaboard.

Harold: Thanks, fantastic information. That appears to eliminate most of my reluctance for machining. Since I would have to use HSS to provide the form tool producing the rather large bearing surface at one shot, I imagine that 17-4 PH could be a problem with chatter and work hardening. I can envisi...

I got a Enco scissor knurling tool years ago. I've successfully used it a few times with varying success, and still use it on big stuff (like a replacement 5C draw tube). However, for more run-of-the-mill stuff, I've found that old school knurling tools from turret lathes are among the best options,...

I had those on my rock crawler trailer too. That trailer went all over the SW, probably close to 20k miles over 6 or so years hauling my buggy down highways at 80+, down washed out dirt roads, and a few times across shallow creek crossings. Never had a bearing problem with only minimal routine maint...

Thanks. I've seen a few S-4 threads on SJ, and participated on one or two. There was a guy on one thread who "had a machinist friend make one" for him. But I need 4, and would have to acquire suitable material to make them, and harden them, with concern about finish scale with no practical...

I find myself in need of new bearing races for rebuilding an art-deco 50's shop floor jack (Blackhawk S-4), and can't seem to find any options. And I suspect it's because I don't know the right nomenclature. I'm hoping someone here can help. The caster wheels have a 1.125" (actually measures un...

I just used a piece of high quality 1/2" air hose to jump from the main tank 3/4" ball valve to my distribution manifold made from 1/2" copper.