Machining Cylinders - How to Do?

[RONALD]

Back in the 70's I bored a Little Engines cylinder casting on our Bridgeport using a Bridgeport boring head.

No DRO's in those days, had to carfully count each dial revolution; things are much easier today!

[gwrdriver]

What!!?? Someone built a locomotive without a DRO?

[hoppercar]

Yep...lol....ive buult all my locomotives on.a mill and lathe with no d.r.o......it can be done...lol

[FKreider]

What!!?? Someone built a locomotive without a DRO?

LOL I do not currently have a DRO on my mill.

[Builder01]

No D.R.O. anywhere in my shop! (Dial indicators though!!) My steam loco has been on the rails for over two years now.
David

[NP317]

I similarly machined my Mikado cylinder assembly on a Bridgeport mill. Same set up as shown by RONALD.
There were three castings to machine and join first, before doing the 4 bores.
I did use the DRO on the mill. All worked well. All 4 bores are nicely parallel.
RussN

[Harold_V]

Yep...lol....ive buult all my locomotives on.a mill and lathe with no d.r.o......it can be done...lol

Are you sure?

I've commented time and again. I started in the (commercial) shop back in '57, when there was no such luxury. We learned to use and trust screws. Strangely, we managed. Even turned out some good work.

H

[Fender]

Lathes in the early 19th century didn’t even have DIALS, and locomotives were nonetheless built!

[hoppercar]

Yep, me too....ive been a toolmaker for 40 years...cut my teeth on manuel with no d.r.o......im just now getting into cnc....sure is a different world, for this old dog to learn new tricks...lol

[Harold_V]

Yep, me too....ive been a toolmaker for 40 years...cut my teeth on manuel with no d.r.o......im just now getting into cnc....sure is a different world, for this old dog to learn new tricks...lol

Yep! Same for me, although with a slightly different background. Lots of production in my history, along with toolmaking.

That said, a few years back I offered to store a Haas TM-1. My wife suggested I purchase the machine, which I did. It has been very handy to have, offering the ability to engrave, and to do repetitive operations with ease. It's a joy to own, but it has demanded a different approach to machining for me. I resisted the move to CNC when I operated my shop for gain, as I didn't want to lose the keen edge that comes from doing things the hard way. I've never regretted that decision, in spite of appreciating the added ability that is offered by CNC.

H