Tooling up
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:04 pm
So, I have had a busy few weeks.
Every time I have gone to fix something I have needed a "Special Seal". Or a seal that is no longer made. Or a seal that costs two Euro's with a minimum order of thirty euro's AND shipping.
I finally threw in the towel and set out to create a semi dedicated seal making machine. The little Taig is perfect for this but I have had to make - what turned out to be - some very intricate and detailed modifications. Although this lathe comes with what are serviceable levers on the handwheels they are just solid brass pressed in. I have remade these in Bronze and modified some 4mm Machine Screws so the feel and sensitivity is really good now. It needed the improvements because the only way I can successfully machine Urathene is with blades. I also finished fitting the Digital scales which are proving invaluable.
So I have had to make some special tooling to hold the blades. I had a chat with Laurie Amatruda about this and we came to the conclusion that you quite simply have to make your own tooling and it is a learning curve. I figure I am right on the edge of that curve
Every time I have gone to fix something I have needed a "Special Seal". Or a seal that is no longer made. Or a seal that costs two Euro's with a minimum order of thirty euro's AND shipping.
I finally threw in the towel and set out to create a semi dedicated seal making machine. The little Taig is perfect for this but I have had to make - what turned out to be - some very intricate and detailed modifications. Although this lathe comes with what are serviceable levers on the handwheels they are just solid brass pressed in. I have remade these in Bronze and modified some 4mm Machine Screws so the feel and sensitivity is really good now. It needed the improvements because the only way I can successfully machine Urathene is with blades. I also finished fitting the Digital scales which are proving invaluable.
So I have had to make some special tooling to hold the blades. I had a chat with Laurie Amatruda about this and we came to the conclusion that you quite simply have to make your own tooling and it is a learning curve. I figure I am right on the edge of that curve