Member postings for Stuart Davies 6

Update... Tyre material arrived just now (ordered yesterday!). Threw it straight in the lathe and took a trial cut with an HSS tool... Machines fine, very free cutting with no tough spots. This was on a Raglan 5" in back gears, though would probably even cut OK on one of those daft little Myford things 😉. Excellent service from M Machine, would highly recommend.

Hi Phil, as you say there may not be that many sources to get this from! M-Machine sent this response about machineability...hope they don't mind me posting it here but it could be useful to someone else...

CDS machines similar to most tubes in that it is rather tough going with long strands of blue swarf coming from the (carbide) tool, I’d describe it as being a bit ‘chewy’ to machine. It is fine as long as you keep it lubricated and cool but I would compare the experience to machining some harder black bar stock such as S355J2G3.

It is normally fine to get a decent finish as long as the surface speed is quick enough and the tool has sufficient clearance to allow the swarf to clear. For machining tube I sometimes hammer a wooden or nylon dolly into the centre to reduce the chatter that you’ll get and to stiffen it up a bit in the jaws.

It would be rather slow going if one were to use HSS tools in which case using a slower speed with a tool ground to a larger radius and smaller cuts could produce a decent finish with loads of lubricant and polishing cuts.

Anyone know what the CDS from m-machine is like to machine? I'm going for the 180mm x 140mm stuff...

OK many thanks, no rush on getting these as I have plenty to do on the rest of the wheels! Hope you are all keeping well. Regards Stuart

Many thanks for this Phil, I will have a look at those suppliers. Cheers

Hi all, just wondering if anybody could recommend a supplier of large, thick-walled steel tube so that I can make some 5" gauge locomotive tyres? Finished OD is about 6.75" ID 5.75"...many thanks!

Stuart