Category Archives: Tools

Chuck Spider

Posted on July 1, 2020 by dave49

I finally sold my Sherline lathe, my first machine tool. I could do this because I have made enough upgrades and fixtures for my newer minilathe to produce all reel parts with just it and my mill. The last consideration … Continue reading →

Posted in Ring, Turning, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Internal Grooving

Posted on June 1, 2020 by dave49

When I first got a lathe, I bought a group of randomly selected turning tools from the auction site. These two were a mystery to me and I never tried to use them. This morning I was browsing through Youtube … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, Turning | Leave a comment

Lathe Bit Grinding, Redone

Posted on April 29, 2020 by dave49

I posted the article “Lathe Bit Grinding” on 1 July 2013. Since then I have arrived at a better scheme, as described here. Bit grinding is somewhat an art and you will find many alternative styles of lathe bit. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, Turning | 2 Comments

Power Hacksaw

Posted on June 1, 2019 by dave49

Before milling or turning, stock typically needs to be cut to length. My first tool for this task was a handheld power bandsaw lashed to a plywood frame. This worked quite well, and is still functional. The reason that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting | Leave a comment

Faceplate for Minilathe

Posted on October 9, 2018 by dave49

I was working on a new reel design, and realized that several operations would best be done with the parts clamped to a faceplate. The problem, however, is that on my Minilathe, the carriage cannot travel far enough left to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Turning, Work Holding | 2 Comments

New Band Saw

Posted on December 11, 2017 by dave49

This has been my cutoff saw ever since I started metal working. It is just a handheld bandsaw lashed to a homemade plywood frame. It has been quite satisfactory on flat bar stock and rod stock less than 1.5 inch … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting | 3 Comments

Leo’s Foot Fixtures

Posted on November 11, 2017 by dave49

Below is some correspondence from Leo. When I have needed to make curved surfaces on reel feet, I have used my mill with either a rotary table fixture or a ball end mill. Leo shows how to do the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Foot, Turning, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Compliance Reduction

Posted on October 17, 2017 by dave49

The problem that I am having with my MiniLathe is that the support of the cutting tool is too compliant. It is really disconcerting when a cut-off blade dives under the workpiece. Chatter is a problem with all types of … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Turning | 1 Comment

Gerrit’s Vise

Posted on August 28, 2017 by dave49

In addition to making reels, I have dabbled with rod ferrules and reel seat hardware. Gerrit (The Netherlands) has found yet another project for the home shop machinist, fly tying vises. This is a beautiful design and execution. I wonder … Continue reading →

Posted in Work Holding | 5 Comments

Diamond Toolholder

Posted on June 6, 2017 by dave49

Somehow the Diamond Toolholder (a.k.a. Tangential Toolholder) came to my attention and I thought it sounded like a great idea. Uses a standard 1/4 inch HSS bit, easy to sharpen, easy to adjust height. So I put my money down. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, Turning | Leave a comment