- Joined
- Dec 25, 2023
- Messages
- 94
First off, I know I'm doing this backwards. I know that the 'right' way to make a faceplate would be to clamp it in a chuck, face it, flip it, turn a shoulder, clamp the shoulder, turn the rim, bore it, and thread it. At least, that's the way I've seen it done in a number of videos and posts.
However...
I don't have a chuck, nor have I money for one. This is a hobby, and gets the hind tit for funding. Also, my 10R has the prewar 1-7/8"-8 spindle thread, which is difficult to impossible to find chucks and plates for. And as I'm greener than grass squitters, I don't know how to turn threads yet.
I found (and purchased) nuts from McMaster in that thread, bored them for the thread register, and faced them. They fit great, and my facing is true to within a thousandth, which is a) all I can measure with a Fowler dial, and b) the best I can do for now.
My plan is to buy a steel blank, weld it to the nut, then turn and face it true. Once done, I plan to borrow the use of a neighbor's mill to cut radial slots in it for clamps, dog tails, etc. I can also make basic jaws to hold work as a quasi-chuck until I've saved enough to get a real one.
My question is, for the work done on a face plate, as well as for ease of machining, what kind of steel should I look for to make the plate? I was planning to use HRS from a local metal yard, but I've read a few threads about how HRS is gummy and doesn't face cleanly, and the mill scale is abusive to HSS bits. I have access to CRS there as well, and they can order other stuff if I know what I want. But I don't, so was hoping you might.
Thanks for any suggestions.
However...
I don't have a chuck, nor have I money for one. This is a hobby, and gets the hind tit for funding. Also, my 10R has the prewar 1-7/8"-8 spindle thread, which is difficult to impossible to find chucks and plates for. And as I'm greener than grass squitters, I don't know how to turn threads yet.
I found (and purchased) nuts from McMaster in that thread, bored them for the thread register, and faced them. They fit great, and my facing is true to within a thousandth, which is a) all I can measure with a Fowler dial, and b) the best I can do for now.
My plan is to buy a steel blank, weld it to the nut, then turn and face it true. Once done, I plan to borrow the use of a neighbor's mill to cut radial slots in it for clamps, dog tails, etc. I can also make basic jaws to hold work as a quasi-chuck until I've saved enough to get a real one.
My question is, for the work done on a face plate, as well as for ease of machining, what kind of steel should I look for to make the plate? I was planning to use HRS from a local metal yard, but I've read a few threads about how HRS is gummy and doesn't face cleanly, and the mill scale is abusive to HSS bits. I have access to CRS there as well, and they can order other stuff if I know what I want. But I don't, so was hoping you might.
Thanks for any suggestions.