I"M BACK !!!!! I borrowed a heater for a few days so I could get some parts made. I wanted to start on the wheel head while I am waiting for material to get here to finish the tool holder. I made two designs for the wheel head. One was aluminum and the other was steel. I couldn't decide which one to use as they are both good. Since aluminum is easier to work with, I tried that first. I squared up a block of aluminum on my mill, then took it to the lathe and bored the hole for the column. My design calls for brass bearings in here , but if it works OK with out them , I'll leave them out. This photo shows using the 4 jaw chuck to bore the block . The hole is offset and not centered in the block.
I accidentally cut the bore .002" oversize. I hope it will still grip with the split cotter. We will see.
I put the block in my drill press and drill the hole for the split cotter. I step drilled until I got a .750" hole That has .125" interference into the bore.
I made the elevation block from aluminum and the column is steel. I had no brass for the split cotter so I made it from aluminum also. I turned a piece to just slide in the drilled hole and drilled it for the 1/4-20 locking screw, then put it on the mill and used a fly cutter to cut the notch. The cotter was then sawed in half and returned to the lathe where it was counter bored for a spring to go between the two halves.
This is the split cotter assembled with the steel screw and the spring.
The block is on the column and locked. Is very secure and I can't move it even with a mallet. The spring works just as it should when the cotter is loosened. Since this all worked so well , I guess I will use this design.
I next started on the wheel head arms that hold the spindle. They are made from 1/2" thick x 8" long aluminum bar 2 1/2" wide. They are bolted together so they can be machined as one. They will be mirror images of one another.
I used a fly cutter to bore the holes for the spindle.
The holes are bored and the end is split so the screws can draw the opening tight and clamp the spindle. I made a mistake reading my calipers and bored the holes .020" too big. If they won't close on my 2" bar stock for the spindle, I will have to get bigger stock and cut it down to fit. ( I'm glad I didn't make the spindle first.)
My 1/2"-10 acme lead screw came today for the elevation screw. I also ordered a backlash adjustable bronze nut for it . it should be here Monday. The motor should also show up Monday.