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Alex Fraser | 3 Dec 2002 06:15
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Re: Armadillo nov 30

One thing I forgot to mention was a micrometer carriage stop. That is unless
you are going to get digital read outs.
    Other comments interspersed.

John Carmack wrote:

> At 11:13 AM 12/2/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >Ah tooling.
> >
> >     For the lathe,
> >- Quick change tool holder. Get the boring bar holder and cut off holder
> >as well as the rest.
>
> The lathe came with a four-position tool holder, but it doesn't look
> appropriate for holding boring bars, and only a fairly small cutoff tool
> holder can be used.  I may need to replace the entire tool holder.

Yes, Aloris is a well known brand name. There are clones of course.

>
>
> >- live centers, one small with extra long nose. One fat extra strong.
> >Bull center for turning pipe.
>
> A combination live center and a 1/2" tailstock chuck were my first two
> purchases.

A bull centers  and a piece of scrap turned to 60 degrees while held in the
chuck can let you really crank up the speed on turning pipe.
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Andrew Case | 3 Dec 2002 17:12
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Re: Armadillo nov 30

On Tue, 3 Dec 2002, Alex Fraser wrote:

> One thing I forgot to mention was a micrometer carriage stop. That is unless
> you are going to get digital read outs.

A DRO is a big help, and well worth getting. Accurate measurements with 
dials is a nice skill if you have limited funds, but no reason to use it
if you don't need it.

> Yes, Aloris is a well known brand name. There are clones of course.

I second the Aloris/clone recommendation. Also I recommend carbide insert
tooling, There are inserts for just about every need, and it saves on
hassle grinding tools. 99% of jobs can be done with inserts, and the few
that require a custom ground tool are probably better shopped out anyway.

......Andrew

--
Andrew Case				| 
acase <at> plasma.umd.edu			|
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John Carmack | 3 Dec 2002 21:13
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Re: Armadillo nov 30


>Learn to hand grind tools! At low HP a carbide insert will just work 
>harden 316
>SS. You can hand grind a 3/8" bit in 45 seconds, a little longer with higher
>cobalt percentage. I have used both carbide inserts and carbide on a stick 
>as well
>as high speed steel bits and I'd say that on single phase lower powered 
>machines
>you will do better with High speed steel.

For aluminum and brass, I highly recommend PCD (diamond) tool bits!  They 
are about $45 each, but they make a HUGE difference.  They allowed me to 
machine many things that were really far too large for my little Sherline 
tools.  On Russ's big lathe, cut depth is only limited by the length of the 
brazed diamond.  The finish is great, too.

>     John; What kind of welding equipment are you using?

We have the largest TIG welder that didn't require water cooling.  It is 
borderline for welding half inch aluminum, requiring some stops for cooling.

John Carmack
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Alex Fraser | 3 Dec 2002 19:42
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Re: Armadillo nov 30


Andrew Case wrote:

> On Tue, 3 Dec 2002, Alex Fraser wrote:
>
> > One thing I forgot to mention was a micrometer carriage stop. That is unless
> > you are going to get digital read outs.
>
> A DRO is a big help, and well worth getting. Accurate measurements with
> dials is a nice skill if you have limited funds, but no reason to use it
> if you don't need it.

When I first use a machine with a read out I always check it against the dial or a
stop. Read outs depend on a sensor that can get dirty.

>
>
> > Yes, Aloris is a well known brand name. There are clones of course.
>
> I second the Aloris/clone recommendation. Also I recommend carbide insert
> tooling, There are inserts for just about every need, and it saves on
> hassle grinding tools. 99% of jobs can be done with inserts, and the few
> that require a custom ground tool are probably better shopped out anyway.
>
> ......Andrew
>

Learn to hand grind tools! At low HP a carbide insert will just work harden 316
SS. You can hand grind a 3/8" bit in 45 seconds, a little longer with higher
cobalt percentage. I have used both carbide inserts and carbide on a stick as well
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