- Joined
- Jan 25, 2015
- Messages
- 2,558
Alrighty.
I have a long piece of 38MM Al that I need to turn some parts from. Nothing complicated, just some engine mount inserts for my motorcycle:
Obviously, waaaay too big to pass through my headstock.
I don't want to cut it into smaller chunks as that means wasted material. I'm not poor, but I can't really afford to waste any more material than I have too.
I'd like to use the steady rest and just use what I need off the end of the stock but that means I'll be machining pretty much right at the limit of the far end of my Atlas TH42.
My steady rest is the original atlas one with the brass fingers.
So, anyone have any tips, pointers or "gotchas" they can pass on before I give it a try this Saturday?
Or am I total off base on what a steady rest can be used for?
Perhaps I'd be better off using a live center in the tailstock?
Or maybe since it's such a long piece, both a steady rest in the middle and a live center in the tailstock?
I usually just work reasonably short pieces in closer to the chuck, so this is sorta new ground for me....
I have a long piece of 38MM Al that I need to turn some parts from. Nothing complicated, just some engine mount inserts for my motorcycle:
Obviously, waaaay too big to pass through my headstock.
I don't want to cut it into smaller chunks as that means wasted material. I'm not poor, but I can't really afford to waste any more material than I have too.
I'd like to use the steady rest and just use what I need off the end of the stock but that means I'll be machining pretty much right at the limit of the far end of my Atlas TH42.
My steady rest is the original atlas one with the brass fingers.
So, anyone have any tips, pointers or "gotchas" they can pass on before I give it a try this Saturday?
Or am I total off base on what a steady rest can be used for?
Perhaps I'd be better off using a live center in the tailstock?
Or maybe since it's such a long piece, both a steady rest in the middle and a live center in the tailstock?
I usually just work reasonably short pieces in closer to the chuck, so this is sorta new ground for me....
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