Huge list of unfinished projects for the new year

[Doggggboy]

Ya, it's embarrassing. But it isn't a race. It's a labour of love. And ever since my stroke, my wife won't let me spend as much time alone as I'd like. But my best excuse is that I'm so busy doing things on my lathe that I don't have time to stop doing that stuff so I can install the DRO and motor/vfd. Also, I want to do all three at the same time.



In my smithing work, I always have a need for indicator rods and precision pins. So what I want is sort of like a cylindrical grinder but for small rods and pins with high precision diameters plus/minus 0.5 tenths of a thou. Think of it a bit like making a bunch of really long gauge pins.



I'm hoping that is true. I'm waiting for your report after using it. I have sharpened a few drills with the Drill Doctor, and I'm not happy with it. But it's better than my bare hands.



Yes, I keep all my swarf separated by type in big garbage cans. When I get enough, I take it to the scrap yard.



Yes, I have a 20 ton press. I've always wanted to pour ingots, but that would require a kiln and its trappings. I've sort of kissed that idea goodbye. At my point in life, and with my priorities, I'll never get to it.



I don't really need a kick in the pants. It's really all about priorities. I'm plenty busy enough to keep me happy. I pick my priorities based on the needs of the moment and the way I feel at that moment. I don't watch TV or YouTube. But yet I am always busy. Perhaps the most relaxing thing I do is follow the forum. But even that I usually do while I'm waiting for something else, or when I'm in bed (like right now), or on the long drive to Windsor or London and back for those times when my wife does the driving.

I usually go to my shop to do something that needs to be done. I don't normally use a list to guide what I do. I just do what needs doing at that moment or whatever hits me in the face.

For example, today I was looking at how to disassemble a live centre I have that has a brinelled bearing in it, I was also evaluating the hardness of the R8 shank I have to machine for my microscopic center. My mother passed away on Christmas Eve so I didn't have time for much shop stuff. Those were the things I chose to work on.



The indicator base is really a thick steel plate screwed to my headstock behind the spindle. Its there to provide a strong convenient spot to stick a magnetic indicator base.

The toolpost grinder is a work in progress. I have a thread on that project.

The 3-way tramming fixture also has a thread on it. It's a system I'm working on to do both nod and tilt simultaneously. I've already built the reference surface for the table. It has three identical steel bases that sit on the mill table. I used the surface grinder to make them all the same. I also acquired and polished a brake disk rotor that sits on the bases to provide the reference surface. Now I need to make the indicator system that attaches to the mill spindle.

Last but not least is the parting plinth. That is something that only exist in my head right now. When I start working on it, I'll probably start a thread to document it and help others.



I don't have an existing thread on this project yet. Mine is a modification of his. In my opinion, his doesn't retract enough. I plan to look at his Gen 2 device to see if I can improve on it. My days of patenting things, or producing and selling things are over. He would be welcome to any improvement ideas I might have.

Sorry to hear about your mother. My condolences.

 

[140mower]

Sorry to hear of your mom's passing...... Surprised to see you had that much focus and drive given the circumstances.

 

[MrWhoopee]

or a Threading autostop or auto-retracting threading tool holder like @MrWhoopee has designed. I'm not sure how much he'd like that though because he sells these.

I like it just fine, in fact I encourage it. While not as profitable, I find it equally gratifying that someone would want to copy my work. It's one thing to buy something, another matter entirely to build it.

 

[MrWhoopee]

I don't have an existing thread on this project yet. Mine is a modification of his. In my opinion, his doesn't retract enough. I plan to look at his Gen 2 device to see if I can improve on it. My days of patenting things, or producing and selling things are over. He would be welcome to any improvement ideas I might have.

Absolutely! I am currently working out a change to address an issue that has been on my mind.

 

[Susquatch]

Absolutely! I am currently working out a change to address an issue that has been on my mind.

That sounds exciting!

While you are at it, it also needs a different geometry on the over center kickout arm. It's too high. The bigger the lathe, the higher it is. It's difficult to arrange a solid trigger mechanism that isn't in the way. I've been thinking about a bottom sear type trigger like on a bolt action rifle. You would still need a cocking lever but that can be anyplace.

 

[MrWhoopee]

That sounds exciting!

While you are at it, it also needs a different geometry on the over center kickout arm. It's too high. The bigger the lathe, the higher it is. It's difficult to arrange a solid trigger mechanism that isn't in the way. I've been thinking about a bottom sear type trigger like on a bolt action rifle. You would still need a cocking lever but that can be anyplace.

It sounds like you are referring to the original with 1/8" retract, which (IIRC) is the one you have.
The new, 1" rectract model has exact;y what you are describing. (Something about "great minds....")
Have you watched the video that @TorontoBuilder posted above?



I created a FB group (I know!) specifically for the discussion of automatic half-nut releases and auto-retractors.
Everyone is invited. https://www.facebook.com/groups/953434963067580

 

[TorontoBuilder]

It sounds like you are referring to the original with 1/8" retract, which (IIRC) is the one you have.
The new, 1" rectract model has exact;y what you are describing. (Something about "great minds....")
Have you watched the video that @TorontoBuilder posted above?

View attachment 56868

I created a FB group (I know!) specifically for the discussion of automatic half-nut releases and auto-retractors.
Everyone is invited. https://www.facebook.com/groups/953434963067580

Oh this is slick... @MrWhoopee designed a pretty good trap to get me to return to the facebook

 

[TorontoBuilder]

It sounds like you are referring to the original with 1/8" retract, which (IIRC) is the one you have.
The new, 1" rectract model has exact;y what you are describing. (Something about "great minds....")
Have you watched the video that @TorontoBuilder posted above?

View attachment 56868

I created a FB group (I know!) specifically for the discussion of automatic half-nut releases and auto-retractors.
Everyone is invited. https://www.facebook.com/groups/953434963067580

So this sounds like a perfect project for a "group build along". Even better because there are a few design iterations it can start with a design review to see if the design can be improved further. Then 3D modeling of the project (because susquatch needs to work on learning fusion more and then a build.

I have a really clever friend Brian who needs to work on his fusion and machining skills, and who has insightful comments on designs. So who wants to start a new thread for it?

 

[DavidR8]

Ya, it's embarrassing. But it isn't a race. It's a labour of love. And ever since my stroke, my wife won't let me spend as much time alone as I'd like. But my best excuse is that I'm so busy doing things on my lathe that I don't have time to stop doing that stuff so I can install the DRO and motor/vfd. Also, I want to do all three at the same time.



In my smithing work, I always have a need for indicator rods and precision pins. So what I want is sort of like a cylindrical grinder but for small rods and pins with high precision diameters plus/minus 0.5 tenths of a thou. Think of it a bit like making a bunch of really long gauge pins.



I'm hoping that is true. I'm waiting for your report after using it. I have sharpened a few drills with the Drill Doctor, and I'm not happy with it. But it's better than my bare hands.



Yes, I keep all my swarf separated by type in big garbage cans. When I get enough, I take it to the scrap yard.



Yes, I have a 20 ton press. I've always wanted to pour ingots, but that would require a kiln and its trappings. I've sort of kissed that idea goodbye. At my point in life, and with my priorities, I'll never get to it.



I don't really need a kick in the pants. It's really all about priorities. I'm plenty busy enough to keep me happy. I pick my priorities based on the needs of the moment and the way I feel at that moment. I don't watch TV or YouTube. But yet I am always busy. Perhaps the most relaxing thing I do is follow the forum. But even that I usually do while I'm waiting for something else, or when I'm in bed (like right now), or on the long drive to Windsor or London and back for those times when my wife does the driving.

I usually go to my shop to do something that needs to be done. I don't normally use a list to guide what I do. I just do what needs doing at that moment or whatever hits me in the face.

For example, today I was looking at how to disassemble a live centre I have that has a brinelled bearing in it, I was also evaluating the hardness of the R8 shank I have to machine for my microscopic center. My mother passed away on Christmas Eve so I didn't have time for much shop stuff. Those were the things I chose to work on.



The indicator base is really a thick steel plate screwed to my headstock behind the spindle. Its there to provide a strong convenient spot to stick a magnetic indicator base.

The toolpost grinder is a work in progress. I have a thread on that project.

The 3-way tramming fixture also has a thread on it. It's a system I'm working on to do both nod and tilt simultaneously. I've already built the reference surface for the table. It has three identical steel bases that sit on the mill table. I used the surface grinder to make them all the same. I also acquired and polished a brake disk rotor that sits on the bases to provide the reference surface. Now I need to make the indicator system that attaches to the mill spindle.

Last but not least is the parting plinth. That is something that only exist in my head right now. When I start working on it, I'll probably start a thread to document it and help others.



I don't have an existing thread on this project yet. Mine is a modification of his. In my opinion, his doesn't retract enough. I plan to look at his Gen 2 device to see if I can improve on it. My days of patenting things, or producing and selling things are over. He would be welcome to any improvement ideas I might have.

I'm very sorry to hear of your mom's passing John. She must have had a well storied life.

 

[Susquatch]

I'm very sorry to hear of your mom's passing John. She must have had a well storied life.

Don't get me going! I already love telling stories! I don't need any excuses to tell more! Yes, lots of stories to tell about both mom and dad!