Having logged some time on my lathe, one area it struggles is parting. So in search of a little more rigidity, akjeff’s A-11 build motivated me to do the cross slide and rigid rear tool post.
www.hobby-machinist.com
When Jeff originally posted I couldn’t open the MLA site because of my malware flagging it but noticed if I just removed the s from https:// things were fine.
I probably would have been more inclined to cast it myself or buy a chunk of cast iron from Speedy Metals but Andy at MLA was such a nice guy I figured what the heck, bought the cross slide and rear mount tool post castings. They showed up in three days. I noted his prints were dated 1984. He told me he originally offered the kit 35 years ago and he wasn’t kidding.
So upon inspecting everything, I tossed it on my mill and roughed it out, basically just removing draft and clean up.
The raw casting was 13.31”L x 4.25”w x 1.25”t give our take. It cleaned up at 11.18”L x 4.06”w x 1.15”t. Having done the rough cutting, I may toss it in my furnace overnight for stress relief, even though MLA indicated the castings were already SR’d. Here it is roughed out. Nice grey iron.
The print calls for it to finish at 1.00” but I’m not sure I can come up with a reason to further reduce the thickness beyond where I’m at, and just take the extra 1/8” of meat. The installed height of the compound on the cross slide could be a reason but I’ve already reconciled myself to the fact I’ll be modifying the compound to accommodate that so I’m thinking 1.125” thick.
I roughed out the rear mount tool post too. Think I’ll wait until I finish the cross slide to finish the tool post but suspect I’ll be casting myself a rigid post for the other side to mount my AXA QCTP before I’m done.
When I was deciding where to start roughing, I was eying up the t-slot positions and tried to make sure I took stock in a manner that kept them square best as possible.
The slots are pretty well on 1 5/8” centers except one offender.
It varies a little along the length but is worst at the end shown. It’ll take some jacking around but I think I’ll get them to clean up as 3/8” slots on 1.625" centers. I mentioned in Jeff’s thread I think the kit would be better off to just omit the coring and cast it solid. It just isn’t enough stock to matter.
I’ve got a couple other projects going but will work at this when I can. I’ll also have some questions for you all about the various versions of Atlas compounds.
Best,
Kelly
MLA A-11 Cross Slide
In an effort to add a bit more rigidity to my 12" Craftsman, I ordered the A-11 casting kit from https://mlatoolbox.com/A-11.html. Quality looks to be very nice, and at a reasonable price. This will play out as time allows, so don't expect a fast moving thread! After getting my Lagun FTV-1 up...
www.hobby-machinist.com
When Jeff originally posted I couldn’t open the MLA site because of my malware flagging it but noticed if I just removed the s from https:// things were fine.
I probably would have been more inclined to cast it myself or buy a chunk of cast iron from Speedy Metals but Andy at MLA was such a nice guy I figured what the heck, bought the cross slide and rear mount tool post castings. They showed up in three days. I noted his prints were dated 1984. He told me he originally offered the kit 35 years ago and he wasn’t kidding.
So upon inspecting everything, I tossed it on my mill and roughed it out, basically just removing draft and clean up.
The raw casting was 13.31”L x 4.25”w x 1.25”t give our take. It cleaned up at 11.18”L x 4.06”w x 1.15”t. Having done the rough cutting, I may toss it in my furnace overnight for stress relief, even though MLA indicated the castings were already SR’d. Here it is roughed out. Nice grey iron.
The print calls for it to finish at 1.00” but I’m not sure I can come up with a reason to further reduce the thickness beyond where I’m at, and just take the extra 1/8” of meat. The installed height of the compound on the cross slide could be a reason but I’ve already reconciled myself to the fact I’ll be modifying the compound to accommodate that so I’m thinking 1.125” thick.
I roughed out the rear mount tool post too. Think I’ll wait until I finish the cross slide to finish the tool post but suspect I’ll be casting myself a rigid post for the other side to mount my AXA QCTP before I’m done.
When I was deciding where to start roughing, I was eying up the t-slot positions and tried to make sure I took stock in a manner that kept them square best as possible.
The slots are pretty well on 1 5/8” centers except one offender.
It varies a little along the length but is worst at the end shown. It’ll take some jacking around but I think I’ll get them to clean up as 3/8” slots on 1.625" centers. I mentioned in Jeff’s thread I think the kit would be better off to just omit the coring and cast it solid. It just isn’t enough stock to matter.
I’ve got a couple other projects going but will work at this when I can. I’ll also have some questions for you all about the various versions of Atlas compounds.
Best,
Kelly
