A clamptite tool

[jwmelvin]

So the slotting took longer that I expected and was hard to index in the vise.

For me, using a collet block was great. I just held one end in the collet and supported the other in the V of a machinist jack, with a toe clamp over the tube. Maybe I should have used a carbide end mill rather than HSS.

 

[rwm]

I was thinking the same thing after looking at the screen shoot last night. And now looking at yours again, I see what you mean. How did you drill a 4" hole? Just a regular drill bit?

I think I'm a long ways from making one though, as far as I know my equepment hasn't left Taiwan yet.

I used a regular drill and pecked a lot. It can be done but starting with tubing is the way to go. I like the rose index idea because the part is held securely in the vise to prevent flex while milling the slot.