Here's a wide top star I'm working on for a customers Custom 9/0. Its a full 1/4" wide and 316L stainless. Still plenty more to go!
(update) I recut this star slightly smaller and decided to use it for the 113H. The 6/0 -9/0 star will be aluminum to reduce weight.
Originally it was planned to use an existing star to make a threaded insert and its possible I may still go this route.
I have had some success with cutting the Buttress thread on my lathe. Made a single point internal threading tool as accurately as I could at the home shop but I'm not quite there. If I can get back to my workplace and get use of their Visual Grinder, I should be able to make the tool within a few thou and that should do the trick.
Shops getting pretty busy again but I'm still picking away at all these projects. Also have a few production jobs that I've taken from a couple of the local machine shops. Looks like its going to be a busy fall and winter.
As always, your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
All have a great day, .. Lou
Clever design, Lou!
Best,
Fred
Like squeezing a trigger. I like it. Dominick
looking good, it would be golden item for a 113h
Nice work Lou, but I wouldn't expect anything else from your shop..............................Joe
Yes, like Dominick said, I like the trigger effect too, easy to adjust. Great work Lou! 8)
Good looking star,it almost looks like it's in motion. Nice design for a big reel
Another star is born !!
Thanks for sharing your pictures and thoughts. Sst is the way to go, buttt, keep doing what you can at work, the right machine makes it easier, you are a lucky 🍀 guy to play with such nice toys......
There's a few or more folks waiting for you to make these available I'm sure. Wide pattle Star ⭐️
I'm,in for some 113h And 114h Star in your production run eventually......🎣🤦♀️🆗⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm digging your new design, Lou. Looks like it would feel good cranking her down on the flat surface with some girth.
Keep it up, pal. You're doing good things
Dom
Looks good Lou, it will be easy on the thumb/fingers pushing on the wide flat surfaces at the end of each leg - like Dom has said.
Mike
Thanks for all the comments Gents. I hadn't planned on making a production run of these as Adam has been selling stars here for a long time and I use his products and sell them in my shop. They're top shelf!
Its just not the gentlemanly thing to do to cut into his turf or anyone else's. I couldn't compete with the pricing anyways and I'm pretty well loaded down with custom work. I pick away at this stuff in bits and pieces as I have time.
Looking for opinions here from the people that fish a lot. Great insight is invaluable and its always a learning curve!
..............Best, .. Lou
No one is stepping on anyone's toes, that's not what the site is about. If it was, you would have stepped on the boss' toes, he's the one that started it all...everyone else just follows along.
I always encourage members to show us what they have to offer, that's what we do here...show support, not discourage their creativity.
I've been trying to get Adam to make us stars for the larger Senators, but it's just not worth it for him.
Someone is working on getting those for us, we first talked about it, a year ago.
He said he doesn't see any issues making those for us, he just needs time.
Sal
Sal, I meant nothing by it!
When the Boss offered me my own spot, I declined as he was selling like things at the time and I didn't feel it was appropriate for me to do so. I doubt if I could have kept up with the orders anyway and at my age I'm looking to spend more time fishing!
I believe Alan T's comments were, there's enough room for everyone.
As for Adam, his work is excellent and I'd be in the same boat as him, making these for nothing.
I enjoy and applaud the enormous amount of work and patience that I see here. Especially the gentlemen that are doing the hour upon hours of hand work. Drilling, cutting and filing. These are the true Artisans!
There's a lot to be learned from everyone. Its more of a hobby than anything and none of us would ever be able to make a living on it.
My fridge is full, my wife is healthy and happy, my boat is running, ... so for me, there's not a heck of a lot more I can ask for.
..................Lou
Had some time to machine the back angle clearance (10 deg) and the lathe handled the interrupted cut pretty well. The tool bit, not so much! >:( >:(
I was surprised as its a very good grade of impact carbide. Might be better off with a conventional tin coated bit and sharpening it more often.
I cut the pad where the spacer bushing rides at .130 thou thick. I'd rather take a whisker off the bushing than hunt for or end up making a longer one.
Tmrw, I hope to drill and tap the center, add some decorative lightening holes, put a nice radius all around, and start polishing. Got a few other things to do first but I am picking away at it.
This star is a about 3 1/8" and the one for the 6/0 - 9/0 will be a about 3 1/4". On that one, I turned an insert out of a 10-114 and it will be pressed and screwed into the new star. That will take care of the Buttress thread and should work out well. I'd like to be further along on that particular one but unfortunately I'm not!
All have a great evening, .. Lou
Lou: What size lathe are you using?.......................Joe
Joe, its a Precision Matthews PM-1127VF-LB.
11 x 27. Its imported. I had been looking for a good used Hardinge but the prices were insane. Although I'm not a big fan of imports, this one without a doubt was the better choice.
I was lucky to find it used and it needed some work which made it affordable. It took me several weeks to get it back in order and I really like it. With the repair work and the gibs adjusted properly, its capable of very straight, accurate cuts. For me, I wouldn't consider a 10" or under machine and wanted a 12. Unfortunately, no way to get that size machine in the basement. The 11 x 27 is a good compromise and has a 1 1/2" bore, (very important) and a bed width the same as most of the 12 x 36's. The variable speed drive is sweet too. Matt is a terrific guy to work with and the product is well supported. I believe he even offers a discount for Vets.
Here's a link and a few pics. Are you thinking of buying a lathe? https://www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/pm-1127vf-lb/
There's a ton of old South Bend's around and no doubt they were fine machines but this machine will run circles around the old ones. The Hardinge's are great machines too, but, expensive. Don't forget to check Craigslist as that's where mine came from in LI NY.
...............Lou
I just bought a 7X16 lathe that is a veritable speed brush less motor, smaller then you lathe but will do everything I would ask of it. and by the time I bought the various tools it was $2000.00. It can handle everything up to 7" and it's a 4" chuck 4 jaw.
I would like to buy a milling machine next for mid sized work. That will have to waiter till next year. You have a nice setup in the basement very neat and orderly, I know because I have been in your shop.
Joe
Great deal! That will get you going! Good luck with it.
For me, the larger size works out as I do some specialty work for other machine shops. The problem with all that stuff is, the bigger it gets the more difficult to move around.
Took 4 guys over 4 hrs to get the mill in the basement. The lathe, we were able to use a tractor, skid, and motor hoist.
Enjoy, .. Lou
Yes that is a big consideration for me as there is only me and Ruth most of the time, that unit weighs about 136# so I can manage that by myself. Anything over 175# I need help.
Joe
Lou, you are an inspiration to us all. Ive never seen a shop so clean. Keep up the good work. Thanks for the pictures. ;)
Lou: I don't want to steal your post except to say. I received my Lathe today and soon as I clean it up and set it up I will take pictures.
Joe
Joe: not at all. Glad you got one and looking forward to seeing it!
............Lou
Pretty rad star there Lou!