Member postings for Blue Heeler

Thanks John and Hugh, do you use it a lot for turning?

G'day all,

Has anyone modified their cross slide so that they can lock it down?

If you did, what method did you use?

Cheers,

Jim

Ian, cypress pine is also another timber that goes blue/black in the presence of iron.

Cheers guys and as others have said I too have lots of quality measuring tools and other tools that came supplied in wooden cases.

^ Well they've been in there for years and they haven't rusted.

Hi from New South Wales

Great thread, thanks!

^ You enjoy your die storage system and I'll enjoy mine mate.

Easy Button Die Storage Solution using some 6" x 3/4" pine, two hinges, a clasp and a forstner drill bit.

Edited By Blue Heeler on 20/06/2019 07:30:06

I hope I didn't sound too frivolous.
I have a continuous unlimited free supply of brass to practice on and I keep sharpening HSS till I get the mirror finish I'm looking for. It can take me quite a while of trial and error and even small changes in the cutting tool for me make a big difference. I have to go through this process every time, then for a long time a diamond hone is sufficient.

One thing I can't use to get a good finish is Chinese eBay HSS, I've spent hours upon hours trying to get the same finish from Chinese HSS that I get with good quality brand name HSS.

They've been relegated for use in my milling vice.

I can do a thread, but much prefer using a button die in a tailstock holder.

80% of my threads are ME threads.

Precision Metal Pen Oiler this is a handy little item for a steamer, model engineer or any tool lover (nice birthday present, stocking filler etc etc )

Edited By Blue Heeler on 18/06/2019 06:20:33

Edited By Blue Heeler on 18/06/2019 06:20:56

Tool lovers unite

Appreciate the replies guys.

The belt set at 420rpm for me makes the lathe sound really nice and its all working at a pleasant speed for me and the finish on whatever I'm turning is great.

I think now I'm just so used to it after nearly 7 years of having this lathe (I must point out a very pertinent fact that I'm in mid 50's and before this lathe was delivered off the back of the delivery truck, I had never even touched a lathe before) when I have changed the speeds to polish something it sounds and feels like a totally different beast and when I go back to 420rpm.....all feels good and normal again.

Thanks again for putting up with my newbie questions, I will be a newbie for life when it comes to my lathe and mill, but love every single second I'm on them making or repairing something for my steam engine hobby.

Cheers,
Jim

G'day all,

I run my lathe always on the pulleys that give me a speed of 420rpm and have the gears setup to give me the slowest auto longitudinal feed (very rarely do I thread on the lathe) and whether I'm turning down brass rod to 3mm to make a bolt or turning a 6" cast iron flywheel.

I use HSS and carbide insert tooling, turn steel, brass, copper, cast iron, aluminium, plastic and get a mirror finish on all materials.

So besides a slower auto longitudinal feed rate what am I missing out on by not adjusting belts for different speeds all the time?

Are SFM guides (which are over my head) just to increase hourly part production in a manufacturing setting and not aimed at the hobbyist?

Cheers,
Jim

Interesting that no one uses them (neither do I) because there are so many ads for them on every machinery/tool suppliers pages/website.

Just pour it straight down your drain and clean out any fats in your pipework.

Just out of total interest, does anyone use these cheap carbide lathe tools?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-20Pcs-3-8-Lathe-Tools-Carbide-Tipped-Welding-Milling-Cutting-Turning-Tool/283500910977?hash=item4201f89981:g:uw8AAOSw1ZZc8JBR

Edited By Blue Heeler on 16/06/2019 08:18:03

You're welcome.

Cheers

Jim

Cheers Ron, and the best part, if I can do these.....anyone can!
Thanks

Jim