- Joined
- Dec 27, 2014
- Messages
- 4,056
Toward the end of last year, I was able to order a PM 10-22 lathe. It turns out to have been the last machine ordered before they sent an order to the factory. When the shipment came they parceled out the orders and the 10-22's ran out before my name came up. I was thrilled when they substituted a 10-30 for my 10-22 at no cost to me.
It arrived in mid February. Between a front end loader, a four wheel cart and a chain fall I got it installed in my 'shop." I ordered a low cost DRO from China, and spent most of a month getting it installed. The AXA tool holders that came, including knurling tool, cut off tool and boring bar holder. This left two usable tool holders. I wondered what I could make some out of. Looking o0n line for steel I found costs approaching finished products for bar stock.
Then I happened to remember some bar stock I had salvaged from my previous employer. 1.125 ground and polished ETD150. (I've recently realized/found out that this is 4140 heat treated.) I had a couple of pieces about a foot long, got it cut into eight 2 7/8" pieces. Over the last few weeks, I've carved on them in my PM25 mill. Whittling, more than carving, no big chips on tha mill. I finished the first dovetail today, It works like a charm. I made them in three sizes, 3/8, 5/16 and 9/32. (I don't have a good 1/4" carbide end mill.) I figured if I needed more 3/8, I could use any of the smaller ones. I took a picture of it in use, but the camera focused on the tool holder rack on the backsplash.
It arrived in mid February. Between a front end loader, a four wheel cart and a chain fall I got it installed in my 'shop." I ordered a low cost DRO from China, and spent most of a month getting it installed. The AXA tool holders that came, including knurling tool, cut off tool and boring bar holder. This left two usable tool holders. I wondered what I could make some out of. Looking o0n line for steel I found costs approaching finished products for bar stock.
Then I happened to remember some bar stock I had salvaged from my previous employer. 1.125 ground and polished ETD150. (I've recently realized/found out that this is 4140 heat treated.) I had a couple of pieces about a foot long, got it cut into eight 2 7/8" pieces. Over the last few weeks, I've carved on them in my PM25 mill. Whittling, more than carving, no big chips on tha mill. I finished the first dovetail today, It works like a charm. I made them in three sizes, 3/8, 5/16 and 9/32. (I don't have a good 1/4" carbide end mill.) I figured if I needed more 3/8, I could use any of the smaller ones. I took a picture of it in use, but the camera focused on the tool holder rack on the backsplash.
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