- Joined
- Nov 27, 2012
- Messages
- 7,852
I have a couple of 2.5" micro chucks that I wanted to grind the jaws on, also wanted to make some centers. So I tried some tests (OD grinding) with a Dremel mounted on the tool post. Didn't like the results at all, no surprise there. I guess I could have mounted it more securely but didn't bother trying any further. Seems like other people do have luck with Dremels on small lathes.
(Not actually grinding here, took this pic when I first got the lathe test fitting my Dremel holder from my 8x14)
Then I bought one of these cheap pencil die grinders. Planned on making a boring bar style tool holder to mount it. Figured it would be less flex than a plastic Dremel body & would do what I needed.
Luckily I never got around to it. I found a baby Dumore locally for pretty cheap. It's their smallest model, 1/14 HP! Haha. Should be ok for what I need though hopefully.
But it needed a little care. Not sure why but someone spliced into the power cord & added a second switch. Both switches are functional, need to turn on one to activate the other, perhaps a safety they had in mind? The cord had seen it's days too, dry rotted & ground pin broken off.
Disassembled it and found that the original switch had a hole in it. Thought maybe that was the reason for the second switch but the original needed to be flipped to power it up. I tested it numerous times & it works fine but I decided to replace it anyway while I have it open. Also got a new grommet for the new power cord.
But before putting it back together. Someone had ground down one of the alignment pins. I pressed the pins out, cleaned them up on the lathe, & was able to reuse them. Also slightly lapped the spindle assy's mating surface to remove any high spots just in case.
Pressed the pins back in with my 3 ton arbor press that I got recently. J/K of course, I no longer have the small one but the pins only required light taps with a hammer anyway.
Now it's ready to go back together. Got rid of the butt connectors & soldered the connections. Also added a rubber toggle switch boot for the heck of it.
Machined a new T-nut for it. (Reminds me of when Barry first did my Dorian one)
It came with 2 belts, extra arbors, extra crowned pulleys & some wheels. It can do ID & OD. I'll probably end up buying new stones later anyway. I ordered a couple of new belts from Sopko but haven't tried them yet, the old belts seem to be ok still. I still need to make a simple holder for the diamond dresser I picked up. Can't wait to do some testing with it.
(Not actually grinding here, took this pic when I first got the lathe test fitting my Dremel holder from my 8x14)
Then I bought one of these cheap pencil die grinders. Planned on making a boring bar style tool holder to mount it. Figured it would be less flex than a plastic Dremel body & would do what I needed.
Luckily I never got around to it. I found a baby Dumore locally for pretty cheap. It's their smallest model, 1/14 HP! Haha. Should be ok for what I need though hopefully.
But it needed a little care. Not sure why but someone spliced into the power cord & added a second switch. Both switches are functional, need to turn on one to activate the other, perhaps a safety they had in mind? The cord had seen it's days too, dry rotted & ground pin broken off.
Disassembled it and found that the original switch had a hole in it. Thought maybe that was the reason for the second switch but the original needed to be flipped to power it up. I tested it numerous times & it works fine but I decided to replace it anyway while I have it open. Also got a new grommet for the new power cord.
But before putting it back together. Someone had ground down one of the alignment pins. I pressed the pins out, cleaned them up on the lathe, & was able to reuse them. Also slightly lapped the spindle assy's mating surface to remove any high spots just in case.
Pressed the pins back in with my 3 ton arbor press that I got recently. J/K of course, I no longer have the small one but the pins only required light taps with a hammer anyway.
Now it's ready to go back together. Got rid of the butt connectors & soldered the connections. Also added a rubber toggle switch boot for the heck of it.
Machined a new T-nut for it. (Reminds me of when Barry first did my Dorian one)
It came with 2 belts, extra arbors, extra crowned pulleys & some wheels. It can do ID & OD. I'll probably end up buying new stones later anyway. I ordered a couple of new belts from Sopko but haven't tried them yet, the old belts seem to be ok still. I still need to make a simple holder for the diamond dresser I picked up. Can't wait to do some testing with it.