Tooling Question?

Gfrost said:
Well, since I already have an 1 SPI indicator, I opted to order another that is identical and just bought cheap magnetic bases at Harbor Freight for $12 each.
While ordering the Indicator I also ordered and inexpensive Live Center and Arbor/chuck as well, spent less than $100 for all four items shipped.
Initially nothing needs to be real precise, just want to be able to use the lathe and build ability! When needed I will probably get a different Live Center!

I do have another Question, in regards to HSS and boring bars! What size do most of you use when it comes to the HSS Stock? Am I correct in thinking that, the project dictates the size of the tooling??
And I imagine the size of the stock determines the size of the Boring Bar??

My first project is probably going to be a Spider for the Lathe, so you can see where I am going at least initially!


Gary
Click to expand...
I have bought HSS square tool bits of ever
Size from 1/8 through 1/2 and I get a lot of them
I might have 5 to 10 in ever size
When I grind a tool say I grind a 3/8 RH turning tool
Or a 5/16 45 degree tool .
I will try to leave that one tool dedicate to that shape . Now all I have to do is just touch up the tool
From time to time .
I also have a small boring bar that requires
3/16 round HSS . I got 3 each 3" long
I can grind a lot of deferent tools out of 9"
Of stock
I like Co5 cobalt HSS and Mo- Max HSS
 
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Armstrong High Speed Is Always good
Made In USA
Most of my high speed tool bits
Are made in China
I order from MSC tool company
Interstate brand

IMG_5949.JPG
 
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Gfrost said:
Well, since I already have an 1 SPI indicator, I opted to order another that is identical and just bought cheap magnetic bases at Harbor Freight for $12 each.
While ordering the Indicator I also ordered and inexpensive Live Center and Arbor/chuck as well, spent less than $100 for all four items shipped.
Initially nothing needs to be real precise, just want to be able to use the lathe and build ability! When needed I will probably get a different Live Center!

I do have another Question, in regards to HSS and boring bars! What size do most of you use when it comes to the HSS Stock? Am I correct in thinking that, the project dictates the size of the tooling??
And I imagine the size of the stock determines the size of the Boring Bar??

My first project is probably going to be a Spider for the Lathe, so you can see where I am going at least initially!


Gary
Click to expand...

Gary, what you buy is entirely up to you, your needs and your budget. Just know what your options are and spend your money wisely.

For a 12" lathe, 3/8" HSS bits are sufficient. You can go bigger but it isn't necessary, is more expensive and it takes longer to grind them. Chinese bits are fine for learning on but later on, buy good tool bits because it makes a difference. The tool holder will largely determine what size tooling you use; you have to be able to get the tip of the tool on center.

The size and material the boring bar is made from is determined by the depth and size of the bore. You will be using the biggest boring bar you can fit into the hole and still clear the chips. If the bore is less than or equal to 4 times the diameter of the bar then you can use a steel bar. If it is greater than 4 times then you should be using a carbide bar. Much depends on the precision you require. If all you need to do is to make a spider to fit stock on the other end of your spindle then just a cheap Chinese bar will do you. If you need to bore to tight tolerances then the whole game changes.
 
Check your yellow pages for machinery dealers and call all of them.

Ask if they sell used items.

Ww have one that has many items bounce through their place so we stop by when near.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
 
Don't forget , way oil , cutting and tapping fluid . Deburring tool, chip hook to pull chip build up away from the chuck. You can make some tools . Keep an eye on craigslist too ,
 
as mentioned, a good indicator or test indicator is pretty important, since 10ths matter in gunsmithing. you are going to be polishing, crowns and leads and what not, so what you need to do that is a kinda big deal. watch a lot of videos on what you are doing, with a grain of salt, and see how they do things and what tooling they use. good luck, have fun, and be safe.
 
scwhite said:
I have bought HSS square tool bits of ever
Size from 1/8 through 1/2 and I get a lot of them
I might have 5 to 10 in ever size
When I grind a tool say I grind a 3/8 RH turning tool
Or a 5/16 45 degree tool .
I will try to leave that one tool dedicate to that shape . Now all I have to do is just touch up the tool
From time to time .
I also have a small boring bar that requires
3/16 round HSS . I got 3 each 3" long
I can grind a lot of deferent tools out of 9"
Of stock
I like Co5 cobalt HSS and Mo- Max HSS
Click to expand...
When I was going thur an apprenticeship and working in a shop they made us learn to grind our own tool bits. Instead of destroying HHS stock that is not cheap, get some square crs (cold rolled steel), cut it up in 3" lengths, and have fun. If you see blue you have overheated it. Practice, practice and more practice. Not hard to do. Get a set of pre-ground HHS from Little Machine Shop as samples of the right shapes as examples. Have fun burning you fingers as the stock gets hot. Also buy a wheel dresser for your grinder. You can not grind a cutting bit on a bad wheel.
 
david sobel said:
When I was going thur an apprenticeship and working in a shop they made us learn to grind our own tool bits. Instead of destroying HHS stock that is not cheap, get some square crs (cold rolled steel), cut it up in 3" lengths, and have fun. If you see blue you have overheated it. Practice, practice and more practice. Not hard to do. Get a set of pre-ground HHS from Little Machine Shop as samples of the right shapes as examples. Have fun burning you fingers as the stock gets hot. Also buy a wheel dresser for your grinder. You can not grind a cutting bit on a bad wheel.
Click to expand...
That's a good idea to practice on blank key stock
Cheap way to learn
 
Gfrost said:
So you think that the inexpensive dial/test indicators are safe to go with?
Click to expand...

Yes. I bought 5 Shars indicators before I found a good deal on a lot of 16 BC Ames and Federal indicators. Both work perfectly well for me.

Get some Dykem for marking your work.
 
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