The Hobby-machinist Die Filer

One serious piece of Aluminum arrived today, ten days early. .5oo x 24 x 24 and weighing in at 36 lbs. The Table will come from this piece.

"Billy G" 102_0920 (800 x 531).jpg
 
The Trunnions and Rails are done and mounted. I got lucky this time, nothing moved during the match drilling. Whew.

"Billy G"


102_0921 (800 x 531).jpg
 
Drilling matched holes with the drill press is NOT Rocket Science. You just have to know the basics of holding the two or more parts together. I know, the mill is easier but not all of you have one. This is the alternative. Not the two pieces of wood, that is to keep the alignment of the two parts. Again, you do not need a shop full of tools to build, you just need you.

"Billy G"102_0922 (800 x 531).jpg 102_0923 (800 x 531).jpg
 
Go sloooow and keep checking the drill. If you feel the slightest vibration while drilling the drill is fouled with the chip. Stop and clean it. These five #29 holes took 20 minutes to drill, they are 1 1/2 inches deep.

"Billy G"

102_0924 (800 x 531).jpg
 
The left side is finished and mounted.

Picture #2 here shows an old trick to start the tap straight. Drill the clearance hole in the mating part and use that part as a Tap Guide.

#3 shows it standing alone for the first time. Do your homework and everything drops into place.

"Billy G" 102_0925 (800 x 531).jpg 102_0926 (800 x 531).jpg 102_0927 (800 x 531).jpg
 
Looking good Bill
a lot of work went into just the pivots
there have been a lot of times one of these would have come in handy for me
Steve
 
That really looks great Bill,
Question,
Do die filers back off on the up stroke?

These look like they would be very handy, if I didn't have my bucket full now ...........................
 
No Ken, they don't. Good idea though. Food for thought.

"Billy G"
 
Got to the local Metal Shop and the Tech. School yesterday. They rough cut the Table for me. 24 x 24 is a handful in a small shop. It will measure 14 x 14 inches. It is within .030 now.

"Billy G" 102_0928 (800 x 531).jpg 102_0929 (800 x 531).jpg
 
nice chunk of aluminum
getting materials here in my part of Florida is hard and expensive there is no industry here just tourist attractions.
there is a local recycling shop that was cheap but as interest grew so did their prices.
if you can at the end of the project can you figure your estimated cost?
Steve
 
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