R
Robert LaLonde
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I am in the process of making a couple cross drilling tools for my lathe(s). Often I have to put a pin in a round part, and drilling the side of the part while its still in the lathe with a tool in a tool holder already set on center is a lot faster than moving the part over to an angle block and putting it in a vise on the mill. If I was doing 20 identical parts that might actually be faster, because the mill could be set drill. swap, drill ... with a work stop on the table. For just one part when you add in the time to index it on the mill I think I could do it much faster on the lathe with my cross drill tool. I do a lot of one off work. Now for tiny little drill bits I can just put the lathe in low gear and stand on the foot brake. For larger drill bits it can torque the part around a little bit. I know if my drill bits where perfect... LOL.
Anyway, I'd like to setup a solid lock for the lathe spindle. The foot brake will stop the chuck. FAST, but there is a little play in it. I played with the idea of adding an indexing plate to the spindle, but I'm not sure how I would tackle it. Its got a D1-5 plate on it, and I really like that. I don't want to mess it up. I use it all the time to swap chucks or faceplates.
Anyway, I'd like to setup a solid lock for the lathe spindle. The foot brake will stop the chuck. FAST, but there is a little play in it. I played with the idea of adding an indexing plate to the spindle, but I'm not sure how I would tackle it. Its got a D1-5 plate on it, and I really like that. I don't want to mess it up. I use it all the time to swap chucks or faceplates.