I ordered a piece of 1.25" 304 ss rod, I wanted to see if the new lathe was up to the task.
This is all new to me, I got the speed part pretty well figured out for most of what I do, but the cutting tools are still hard to figure out.
My wood lathe needs to have the belt moved around to different pullies to get to the preferred speed.
This one is equipped with a knob for speed control...very nice feature.
I tried to make a hard to find top-hat for the 6/0, I also like to use the same on the 9/0's
I found that turning stainless steel is very hard, but as you could see, it can be done:
(https://i.imgur.com/MScrWMY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3RI5hzS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YIk6D7C.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oqhJN0n.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/En4nqJU.jpg)
And my custom ss top-hat next to penn stock top-hat
(https://i.imgur.com/yVXFH8q.jpg)
mine is a little taller and doesn't need the extra metal washers, it is also a little beefier.
It has been tested and works very nice.
(https://i.imgur.com/6tiYAuF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VtSrxVr.jpg)
I will be making just a couple for my personal reels, if I cut down on time, I might offer these at my cost, but not promising anything.
At the moment it's taking me way too long to make one, but than again... I'm not a machinist.
Best,
Sal
Sal's Top Hat!
Thanks!
Steve
Good job ! I've always wanted a small metal lathe...but make do with the wood lathe, and drill press
It's really beautiful Sal. That's a huge chunk of stainless you have to play with.
I read that some types of stainless are easier to machine but there must be trade-offs there too.
-steve
Awesome work Sal! :o
Looking good Sal, I can't wait to see what you make next now the shackles are off!
Mike
I believe you are now hooked Sal ;) For stainless cutting tools carbide or Co HSS. Slow speed and heavy on the pressure. There are various cutting fluids out there - I have even used rapeseed oil (canola).
;D You had to try with the hardest steel to work ,rite out of the gate !
Quote from: oldmanjoe on June 22, 2019, 12:50:05 PM
;D You had to try with the hardest steel to work ,rite out of the gate !
😁...No Joe, been practicing with aluminum and brass for a couple of months, but just to trying to figure out the best insert for the cutting
Brass and aluminum come out like glass, no tool marking at all
.
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on June 22, 2019, 12:39:09 PM
I believe you are now hooked Sal ;) For stainless cutting tools carbide or Co HSS. Slow speed and heavy on the pressure. There are various cutting fluids out there - I have even used rapeseed oil (canola).
Good tip! And yes I'm finding that out. I've also found out if the tip isn't perfectly center it will snap the insert... this was also a good lesson🙂
Quote from: oc1 on June 21, 2019, 11:37:07 PM
It's really beautiful Sal. That's a huge chunk of stainless you have to play with.
I read that some types of stainless are easier to machine but there must be trade-offs there too.
-steve
Yes Steve, 304 is easier to machine, but not by much, to me anyways.
304 might get surface rust if not maintained, but I'm thinking it should last for a very long time.
My lathe has 1hp, I'm not sure if anything lower would cut that size😏.
I guess if you take your time and have new carbide inserts it could be done.
Thanks everyone else.
Sal
That's awesome Sal.
Still trying to figure what a top hat is and where would the top hat be installed. Maybe it's too early in the morning for me.
Bryan, it's the top washer & spacer sleeve combined for outside accessable drags on early Special Senators & some Senators. Rudy
Ooh. It's definitely too early in the morning for me.
Nice job Sal, adding another wrinkle.
That's really neat work there Sal. I like how you decided to remove a washer and add it to the top hat. Pretty good idea!
How long did it take from start to finish?
Another nice hobby to add to your repitoire.
Good work Sal, Nice & beefy, I like the idea of top hats, I have a few reels with them, cheers Don.
Quote from: TheReelShop on June 22, 2019, 03:38:37 PM
That's really neat work there Sal. I like how you decided to remove a washer and add it to the top hat. Pretty good idea!
How long did it take from start to finish?
About an hour and 15 minutes.
I did a second one and gained about 15 minutes, but then my wife called me up for dinner, she usually gives me 5 minutes warning and it isn't pretty if I don't make it.
I think I rushed a little while drilling to size and screwed it up...another good lesson.
Thanks!
Sal
Quote from: Alto Mare on June 23, 2019, 02:17:19 AM
... but then my wife called me up for dinner, she usually gives me 5 minutes warning and it isn't pretty if I don't make it.
;D ::)
endless possibilities! Nice work.
Andy
Great work Sal. Take your time and who knows what you may make next. Keep up the good work. Wish I had room to tinker with a lathe. I still have my rod lathe to play with when the garage cools down again.
Dwight
Good luck Sal. Watch out for Cathy's left. She will hit you with so many lefts, you'll beg her for a right. :D ;D Dominick
Good work, Sal.
SS is the material I typically work with. Not too bad once you get the right cutting bits. While carbide will last longer, smaller machines don't usually have enough power to take advantage of their potential. HSS generally can take a sharper edge and give a better finish, but the sharp edge doesn't last as long. Certainly, speeds need to be lower than carbide.
Use cutting fluid whenever drilling or parting off.
Keep up the good work.
Bravo Sal ! impressive work...Bill
Nice job! 303 stainless machines much better than 304 and 316 stainless. If youre looking for saltwater corrosion resistance, stick with 316 though. The additional molybdenum in 316 specifically improves corrosion resistance in salt water. Its also a little harder, and machines slightly better than 304.
The tricky thing with machining stainless is that its relatively soft, but very tough. Sharp, and wear resistant tools make all the difference. High quality HSS is a minimum and carbide being preferred. I use both depending on the circumstances and machine.
Thanks Adam! I'm learning quite a bit as I keep using it.
Sal
Very cool,,,,,I had to hand sand ss before to round the edges off,,,,, >:( it takes time,,,,, :D great job uncle sal,,,,,,, ;D