From: peter@tsto.co.uk   
      
   On 19/08/2024 19:21, Bob La Londe wrote:   
   > On 8/19/2024 11:15 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:   
   >> On 8/19/2024 4:47 AM, Snag wrote:   
      
   >>>    I've been using a lot of carbide tooling on my 10" Logan since I   
   >>> built the QCTP ... but I'm not getting rid of the lantern toolpost   
   >>> and HSS stuff because thewe are just some things it works better on .   
   >>   
   >>   
   >> There is certainly something to be said for being able to freehand   
   >> grind a specialty HSS tool, but for the most part I just put them in   
   >> tool holders for my QCTP.   
   >   
   >   
   > I suppose a lantern tool post "might" be able to hold a smaller scrap of   
   > HSS, but to really get the most out of your HSS a tangential holder   
   > might be the way to go.   
      
      
   I bought a couple dozen HSS blanks, 10x10x100mm, maybe 20 years ago, and   
   still have a few unused ones, and several with cutting ends which I   
   don't use which could be reground if needed. No need to fiddle about   
   with scraps of HSS, though I do have a few home-made toolholders, mostly   
   of the weird and wonderful kind, for them when needed.   
      
   For smaller machines I make my toolholders/toolposts, one for each tool,   
   from a 50x50x30mm [18] block of mild steel. I mill a ~14mm slot on one   
   edge, then drill and tap a couple of M5 or so holes into it to hold the   
   tool in place. Then I drill a hole for the toolpost stud.   
      
   Add a couple screws, put in place on the rest with the tool, then shim   
   to center and tighten. Then you can change tool-plus-toolpost just using   
   the toolpost handle, and it is a much firmer hold than any other   
   toolpost I have come across.   
      
      
      
   Ketan (of Arceurotrade) once quite unwarrantedly called me a Hell's   
   Angel for the way I "brutalise" that minilathe (which is still running   
   well 20 years on, though it has had a bearing change. And a main spindle   
   change too, bent it somehow. Motor electronics replaced [47]. Hmm maybe   
   that comment wasn't so far off...   
      
   I don't do a lot of bigger stuff, but I do use harder-to-machine   
   materials like inconel, monel, stainless, copper, titanium, hastelloy   
   (ouch)  etc.   
      
      
      
   Also alumina and other ceramics - for which I use the nearly-cheapest   
   diamond tooling, like drills, hole saws, cutting disks, to get back a   
   little towards the title of this thread. Keep them wet, underwater if   
   possible, take your time, be firm but not hard, and they cut like a   
   knife through butter, albeit a lot slower. Accurate on the second cut,   
   and the finish is lovely.   
      
   I have also used these on hastelloy, which I couldn't get to cut nicely   
   even with CBN inserts. A dremel in the toolpost is handy. Cheap diamond   
   tools are exactly that, cheap. They don't last that long, perhaps less   
   on steel [99], but if the alternative is waaay expensive or unavailable ..   
      
   I never use so-called machinable ceramics, far too expensive for zero   
   gain. If machining ceramics, or using diamond tooling, don't forget to   
   cover all slides and clean the machine immediately, as the dust will   
   kill accuracy.   
      
      
   Peter Fairbrother   
      
   Chester minilathe   
   2x Myford ML10   
   Myford ML3 extra looong bed   
   Boxford AUD   
   home-made CNC lathe   
   7 BCAs, one CNC'd   
   Seig X3 mill   
      
      
      
      
   [19] 25mm sometimes, but 30mm is better, sometimes 25mm isn't enough.   
      
   [49] to repair the electronics on a single=phase brushed DC minilathe or   
   minimill motor, don't bother with the kblc board if fitted, it is a POS.   
   Chuck it. A cheap chinese 180V DC controller from Ebay will do the job,   
   and if it breaks throw it away and buy another. I was doubtful and   
   bought a spare, still have it about 15 years later.   
      
      
   [99] the diamonds come off before they dissolve in the steel. If you are   
   using the expensive brazed ones it might be a problem   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)