The Home Machinist!

Thanks for the the kind thoughts. I'm already past this, Donna is taking a little more time. We are big people now, so its not so bad for us despite him being a part of the family for 18 years. One thing I try to keep in perspective is the obvious fact that is a little animal that can't outlive me.....

Been a while since I popped in here, but I did remember this thread today after having to take care of the inevitable. I know you guys can relate. If you look back to a post made on July 3rd of 2010, you'll see a big photo of the guy who had to leave us today. Sad, my wife is in tears. And I'm prett...

Another case of "can we agree to disagree", Harold. Certainly! I made my point clearly---I do not agree with that type of grinding----didn't say it was right or wrong. I still don't agree with it. and don't promote it because I don't agree with it. My shallow depth of cut with large stepo...

I believe I asked for some help and not a difference of opinion !! It's the internet. It's going to happen. :wink: Whereabouts are you located? If in New England, perhaps you'd consider coming to the Worcester area and see the shop my dad has (and I play in too.) I could show you some of the toolin...

Another case of "can we agree to disagree", Harold. My shallow depth of cut with large stepover was taught to me 34 years ago by my trade school instructor. (A guy who at 97 now, I still visit every other week.) Liken it, if you would, to today's high-feed milling. Higher MRR (Material Rem...

Blocking the non ferrous part does not hold it down. It only stops X Z movement Theoretically, no that blocking doesn't hold it down. In reality, it can. I activate the magnet, then lightly tap the blocks against the workpiece. I've never had anything come loose. I do agree that Magna-Locks do a mu...

Absolutely. No problem, other than that you can't use the magnetic chuck directly. You'd have to either use a grinding vise or block the workpiece in-between steel. You also have to choose wheels carefully as non-ferrous metals (aluminum particular) load-up most common grinding wheels quickly.

That's hilarious!

So are you going to fix it or leave it like that for posterity?

Pat, I'd be careful about doing it that way for two reasons. One, your wrench handle could dent the casting of the tailstock body. Two, the force required might damage the threads, and that risk is greater because the screw is extended so far it may not have a lot of engagement. The method I describ...

That's pretty funny...but I don't believe you.

Picture!



Glad you found it, and I really would get a chuckle out of seeing that.

I think perhaps we've overlooked some of the basics of surface grinding, starting with wheel selection. I would always start with a 46 grit wheel, but not just any one. You match the wheel to the material. The softer the material to be ground, the harder the wheel and vise-versa. I'll try to get a p...

I've had that problem with some live centers, and they were too hard to be drilling & tapping. I instead wound the quill out far enough to access the knockout slot (where the inserted male taper's tang should be seen), and insert the largest-diameter dowel pin that would fit. I'd hold it between...