Category Archives: Tools

Simple Pot Chuck

Posted on May 30, 2012 by dave49

After making a tool the hard way, one has extra appreciation when finding a simple way. My last post to this blog was about a pot chuck for my Sherline lathe that used the Morse taper of the lathe headstock … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Turning, Work Holding | 2 Comments

Pot Chuck

Posted on May 28, 2012 by dave49

For a new reel design, I want a bronze washer of about 3/4 inch OD, ID to pass a #10 screw, and 0.031 thickness. It is part of a thrust bearing; how can I get a close thickness tolerance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Turning | Leave a comment

The Last Word on Alignment

Posted on May 5, 2012 by dave49

I am a great admirer of Starrett “Last Word” indicators. My collection is now quantity 4. These are lever type (as opposed to plunger type) indicators that look like they were designed in 1914. The range of measurement is only … Continue reading →

Posted in Alignment | Leave a comment

Digital Micrometer

Posted on April 15, 2012 by dave49

I recently bought this micrometer from Anytime Tools. It is a standard micrometer with a vernier scale on the handle that allow interpolation to 0.0001 inch. What is different is that there is also a revolution counter that shows the … Continue reading →

Posted in Measuring, Tools | 2 Comments

Toenail Clipper

Posted on February 14, 2012 by dave49

I have made about a dozen reel feet by now, but alignment to cut a radius at each end of the foot has been a recurring pain. I made a simple fixture to help with trimming to the right length, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alignment, Foot, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Using the 4 Jaw Chuck as a Vise

Posted on February 7, 2012 by dave49

Sherline’s 4 jaw chuck was designed to fit on the lathe spindle, but can also be used on the vertical mill. This is very handy; when I make end plates for raised pillar reels I frequently move the work between … Continue reading →

Posted in End Plate, Fixtures, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Counterbore

Posted on February 6, 2012 by dave49

An end plate or end ring for a raised pillar reel has many details, so many things can go wrong. One preventable error is failing to center a counter bore on a drilled hole. When I started the raised pillar … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting | 4 Comments

Toolmaker’s Clamps

Posted on December 22, 2011 by dave49

A friend gave me this pair of clamps. They were made by Brown & Sharpe, perhaps 1950s or so, and have the part number 754-A-5/8. I believe the 5/8 in the part number indicates 5/8 inch jaw depth. The bars … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Second Expanding Mandrel

Posted on December 6, 2011 by dave49

When I prototyped my aluminum frame reel (blog post of 10 Aug 2011), I fastened the rear bearing cap with two small screws. For the “production” reels, I did not want protruding screw heads, and so decided to secure the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bearing Cap, Fixtures, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Bonding Fixture

Posted on November 23, 2011 by dave49

The Delrin assembly on the left is a fixture that holds the spool ends square on the shaft while Loctite 609 adhesive sets up. The ends fit a bit loose (0.001-0.002) on the shaft because there has to be some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonding, Fixtures, Spool | Leave a comment