- Joined
- Dec 22, 2012
- Messages
- 328
Finally got one of my 0% forged lower castings on the mini-mill. Fixture plates were first machined with Ray Brandes' tutorial, and they have worked well. The mill is a HF to which I have added iGaging 3 axis DRO units. Being a cheapskate, I resisted buying a 1" center cutting mill for the 3/4" radius at the rear of the casting, choosing instead to set up a small flycutter (LMS 3 piece kit) and making test cuts until the correct radius was achieved. Tedious work, but I am amazed at the very good finish this tool made as it was eased through plunge cuts until the final coordinate was reached. Driver side holes were spotted and drilled yesterday. Being a rank amateur, I would hate to attempt this project without the Brandes guidance and the little iGaging DRO. As it is, this is great fun and very educational. Tom