Faceplate/lathe dog driver

[combustable herbage]

Since I have gotten my new lathe it didn't come with a faceplate and I was only able to turn between centers with the 3 jaw chuck and so I wanted something more appropriate so in my travels found this sliver 8 in offcut of aluminum and bought a d1-3 adapter from the amazons and I was ready to try my hand at making a faceplate. my original plan was to
add some t-slots but I am going to wait until I see a need for them and they can be added later.


So into the 4 jaw it went faced it off and center drill.



Then I cut in the boss for the adapter, not my best work but acceptable.

It came in a bit undersized on first fittings but ended up a hair big in the end.
Then off to the mill drilling got everything centered then a piece of cake drilling the holes with the dro



Now I was able to mount it on the adapter and now mounted on the lathe bored out for the dead center.



Finish off the edge.
I forgot to take a picture of the milling of the slot but I used the 123 blocks and clamps to hold it down.
and success I now have a lathe dog driver and was able to make my own test bar which came out well about .0004 to .0006 difference so I am happy with my tailstock adjustment and ready for more turning between centers.

 

[thestelster]

Hey, are you using an indexable endmill to bore the center hole?

If so, great idea!!

 

[combustable herbage]

Yes I never had much luck with the other style several dead soldiers so I bought one of this style and really liked it, I don't have a lot of large drill bits so the sooner I can bore the better, I ended up with 4 from 8mm up too 20mm which fits my boring bar holder perfect and I find them very rigid the smaller ones have one index and the bigger ones have 2 and even bigger 25mm+ have 3 cutting edges.