Looking for a block of cast iron please

Thanks, Jason!

I purchased a lump of cast iron from M-Machine last month for the same thing.

I can confirm - yes, it is very messy!

Thanks everyone for your replies!

There's a lot of food for thought...looks liks I'll be going back to the drawing board!

Thanks again...it's very much appreciated!

Sorry, misunderstood the OP. From the size of block mentioned, became confused and thought that it was another toolpost to be manufactured.

Howard

If it is any help, to reduce the dirt, (sadly not totally eliminate it ) I place a strong magnet as close as possible to the where the cutting is taking place, and cover it with a sheet of newspaper.. Paper is my preference, since hot swarf tends to melt polythene sheets, and frustrate the intention.

The magnet attracts a lot of the cast iron dust, so it can be disposed of without covering machine, operator and everything else in it.

Howard

When I machined my tailstock turret castings recently I used a magnet under a piece of paper towel, this saved a considerable amount of cast iron dust from scattering around but as Howard says doesn't totally eliminate it. What amazed me when I came to do the final clean of the lathe was how far the dust travels. I stand on duck boards in front of my lathe and when I lifted them to clean underneath the floor was black from the dust with very little other swarf.

Phil