Its another day at the TechShop for me and you all are wondering what lathe do I use to work on. Here is a picture My first order was to fix up the pump rod cap which obviously was worn on one side as shown here I mounted the cap on to the 3 jaw chuck and with a drill bit enlarged the hole. My first attempt to make a plug was NOT a success since I made the plug a bit too small for the hole. My second attempt was a success. I guess I need only to have a light touch at the wheel when turning brass. The result Here is how it would look once it is brazed on the inside On the top Aside from that, I was practicing to make pump knobs and for practice I used aluminum as shown here No quite there yet as I need to get me a forming bit. The curves are just using one hand on the Z axis and one hand on the Y axis while keeping an eye on the bit tip as it eats away at the aluminum-num The 3rd project was just drilling hole sizes on a hexagonal aluminum that would accept the stainless end of an MSR XGK and on the other end would be a Rectus male quick connect/disconnect brass coupling which is not show at the moment. Took me 3 hours of fun doing this. Am sure the masters at lathe would have it done in half the time or even less Thanks for looking PS. Yeah I intentionally put the subject AS SUCH lemme see who's got a green mind. Ron
Well, brazing might be nice, but if the braze migrates to the cap threads, you're knackered! And I'd hate to see such good work have bad luck get the best of it! Since it really doesn't have any heat or forces applied to it, I'd consider using a compound called Just For Copper. It's a specially formulated "super glue" made for working with copper, brass, or bronze. I've used it on water pipe and compressed air lines with no worries, holds tighter than a bleepin' barnacle! Only my tuppence, mate, nothing more. Murph
Murph, Berniedawg gave me a great tip, that is apply india ink on the surface you dont want the silver solder to go. Besides, the silver solder will be only applied sparingly so it will not go as far as the threads. Anlrolfe green you are
Your skills are coming along nicely. Haven't played with a lathe since college. P.S. Poor choice in words for the topic title
Its a play of words Weasel. Just to see who would react. That's two already. Also, it attracts attention or curiosity. Ron
Hi Ron Looking good mate 8) This is what you need for those round curves... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sandvik-C...865?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item256e58dab1 These come in all sizes & prices or you can grind your own rounded profile in HSS to make turning curves easier Keep up the good work Stu
Hey Arachnocampa, its possible but the shop discourages using files on the lathe machines as there is the danger of the file grabbing the metal or any part of the machine which would pose a danger to the machinist or equipment. I could do it perhaps off the lathe. Stu, never thought there was a round indexable insert. First time to see that kind of insert actually and may try to find one this side of the pond. Thanks for the very helpful information. Ron
