New toy in the shop - CNC Lathe Edition

[Racey]

Scored this mid 80's Mori AL-2 and finally got it up and running, it's in excellent shape.

Definitely intimidating the first times running it, i have a decent understanding of G code, but have never ran anything like this until this week.

Baby steps for sure, i can imagine crashing this thing isn't like snapping off an end mill.

making a ski tow pole cap for an old ski racing boat is my first real chips.

Pretty crazy to me to be able to hold a tenth the first part out of the machine.

 

[lbhsbz]

Pretty crazy to me to be able to hold a tenth the first part out of the machine.

Its a Mori, not a HAAS

 

[dspracing]

Pretty awesome first part.

 

[Dana757]

When you do crash it your favorite boring bar will take the hit. Just how that works. lol

 

[Toolman]

Those old Mori’s are good machines.

 

[rivermobster]

So cool to be able to just make whatever you want.

 

[Racey]

Made some aimable coolant nozzles for the boring holders.

Pretty crazy these things machine in like 90 seconds... If i had to make them on the manual lathe it would be somewhere between 30 minutes and an hour id guess depending on how accurate the sphere needed to be.

 

[mattyc]

Scored this mid 80's Mori AL-2 and finally got it up and running, it's in excellent shape.

Definitely intimidating the first times running it, i have a decent understanding of G code, but have never ran anything like this until this week.

Baby steps for sure, i can imagine crashing this thing isn't like snapping off an end mill.

making a ski tow pole cap for an old ski racing boat is my first real chips.

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Pretty crazy to me to be able to hold a tenth the first part out of the machine.

That's pretty incredible. What plans do you have for this machine? What will you be utilizing it for?

 

[Racey]

That's pretty incredible. What plans do you have for this machine? What will you be utilizing it for?

Just to fuck around with

 

[Racer56]

Just to fuck around with

Or make parts for my Howard?

 

[Backlash]

Or make parts for my Howard?

Hashtag me too!

I need the "Just to fuck around with" pricing, not the "Too legit titanium Racey" pricing!

 

[Racer56]

Hashtag me too!

I need the "Just to fuck around with" pricing, not the "Too legit titanium Racey" pricing!

I agree , hoping the new lathe isn't taking up to much boat rigging space!

 

[Backlash]

I agree , hoping the new lathe isn't taking up to much boat rigging space!

He does some incredible work and I'm sure the knowledge, time and energy put into his work easily justifies his price. I'm just a broke ass mo-fo who can't afford anything he creates. But a man can dream!!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Just to fuck around with

So what do you intend to find out?

 

[Racey]

AN -8 fittings for fuel tank returns that fit where a level sending unit would go.

The Optical Comparator is an excellent way to check the thread profile (for finish, feed rate issues etc), and also measure the root of the thread.

 

[Wheeler]

AN -8 fittings for fuel tank returns that fit where a level sending unit would go.

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The Optical Comparator is an excellent way to check the thread profile (for finish, feed rate issues etc), and also measure the root of the thread.

I haven't use an optical comparator in many decades. It was around the same time that I made my first set of 123 blocks. Thanks for the memories!

 

[Dana757]

Looks like you are using a UNJF threading insert too.

 

[Racey]

Looks like you are using a UNJF threading insert too.

I use TNMA insert (upright orientation as opposed to lay down). I diamond hone the tip over to leave a nice round root in the thread.

The nice thing about TNMA style inserts is they can cut a huge variety of thread pitch because they don't have a land, so leaving it in the machine is more versatile. This insert could probably cut down to a 4 pitch

Lay flat UNJ inserts are probably better if you were running lots of parts, they seem to be more common nowadays, the TNMA are kinda old school but i have a huge stockpile of them.

 

[Dana757]

UNJF is not the insert. It’s the thread from AN threads. Each size has its own root radius. They don’t cost much and will last 10’s of what thousands parts. You can probably get them to fit the holder you have now.

 

[Racey]

UNJF is not the insert. It’s the thread from AN threads. Each size has its own root radius. They don’t cost much and will last 10’s of what thousands parts. You can probably get them to fit the holder you have now.

Yes, i know that. Every insert that meets the UNJF spec i have seen is a lay down, and you need a specific insert for every thread pitch.

The TNMA stand ups are ground to a sharp point. They don't make TNMA with the UNJF radius that i have every seen, the insert doesn't work that way, it doesn't have a land that cuts the tops of the thread it only cuts the root.

Like i said, i radius the tip myself for stress relief. Then i second op the tops of the thread, depending on the pitch sometimes i'll just do that with a file and deburr with cloth.

 

[rivermobster]

AN -8 fittings for fuel tank returns that fit where a level sending unit would go.

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The Optical Comparator is an excellent way to check the thread profile (for finish, feed rate issues etc), and also measure the root of the thread.

Outstanding idea. Nice work!

 

[Racey]

You can see these inserts are super big, so they can cut up to a very large pitch. They are 1/4" thick.

Downside to them is that you cannot end a thread too close to a shoulder, since the center of the tip is 1/8" from the face of the tool, probably 5/32" from the head of the screw. So you gotta have about 3/16" from the end of the thread to whatever should you approach.

I also have a setup for the thinner and smaller ones if i have to come up to a shoulder, but for now the big one lives in the machine with the offsets all set.

I think these are considered kinda old school now, but like i said i have probably 50 of them brand new in a drawer so i'll keep using them for now

 

[v6toy4x]

men and their toys! gotta love it

 

[mattyc]

AN -8 fittings for fuel tank returns that fit where a level sending unit would go.

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The Optical Comparator is an excellent way to check the thread profile (for finish, feed rate issues etc), and also measure the root of the thread.

Very cool, be sure to share the finished product. Just when I think I'm getting pretty sharp, I read something like this and realize how little I know. Where did you get your knowledge and skillset?

 

[Racey]

Very cool, be sure to share the finished product. Just when I think I'm getting pretty sharp, I read something like this and realize how little I know. Where did you get your knowledge and skillset?

I've learned a lot of ways to fail, i just try not to repeat them. I also have given in to the fact that as much as i think i know about this stuff it's still never enough to satisfy my curiosity, and only a small fraction of what is out there.

I guess i've always been more interested in the processes than the outcome as a whole. I try to put a lot of attention into each discrete action and process. If you take care of each process to the best of your ability, then the big picture usually takes care of itself.

I'm stuck in my shop alone, so while i have the benefit of never having anyone screw with my stuff, i also have the handicap of never getting to watch someone else's methods. A couple youtube channels have really helped to fill that void in the last few years and accelerated what i've learned.

https://www.youtube.com/@oxtoolco

https://www.youtube.com/@ROBRENZ

https://www.youtube.com/@Abom79

Even though a lot of their videos are full of a lot of common knowledge in the machining trade, they are full of a lot of hidden gems. Stuff that makes you stop and think "damn, i never thought about doing it that way, that's pretty smart", some 30 second segment of a 30 minute video will stick with you for life.

Tom Lipton (OxToolCo) has written these two excellent books, i highly recommend them for anyone interested in the trade.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[mattyc]

I've learned a lot of ways to fail, i just try not to repeat them. I also have given in to the fact that as much as i think i know about this stuff it's still never enough to satisfy my curiosity, and only a small fraction of what is out there.

I guess i've always been more interested in the processes than the outcome as a whole. I try to put a lot of attention into each discrete action and process. If you take care of each process to the best of your ability, then the big picture usually takes care of itself.

I'm stuck in my shop alone, so while i have the benefit of never having anyone screw with my stuff, i also have the handicap of never getting to watch someone else's methods. A couple youtube channels have really helped to fill that void in the last few years and accelerated what i've learned.

https://www.youtube.com/@oxtoolco

https://www.youtube.com/@ROBRENZ

https://www.youtube.com/@Abom79

Even though a lot of their videos are full of a lot of common knowledge in the machining trade, they are full of a lot of hidden gems. Stuff that makes you stop and think "damn, i never thought about doing it that way, that's pretty smart", some 30 second segment of a 30 minute video will stick with you for life.

Tom Lipton (OxToolCo) has written these two excellent books, i highly recommend them for anyone interested in the trade.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

I've been trying to spend some time reading grandpa's old machinerys handbook, I'm finding it doesnt contain the type of material that really benefits me at my skill level. Another friend of mine has suggested youtube but I havent quite got around to it. Thanks for those recommendations, I'll be sure to check them out.

The optical comparator, is that a feature of the mori? Or is that a separate piece of equipment? Never seen one. Primary purpose is examining threads? Or does it have other uses?

 

[Racey]

I've been trying to spend some time reading grandpa's old machinerys handbook, I'm finding it doesnt contain the type of material that really benefits me at my skill level. Another friend of mine has suggested youtube but I havent quite got around to it. Thanks for those recommendations, I'll be sure to check them out.

The optical comparator, is that a feature of the mori? Or is that a separate piece of equipment? Never seen one. Primary purpose is examining threads? Or does it have other uses?

Machinery handbook is a place to look up dry information, excellent resource. But reading it is like reading a dictionary. Lipton's books on the other hand are written to be read cover to cover. They cover technique and strategies, rather than just dry info.

The optical comparator is a separate piece of equipment. It's used to take measurements of things that are difficult to measure. It's basically a precise version of the old overhead projectors teachers used in school. In the modern world it seems like a rather archaic tool, but for certain things it works extremely well.

A couple years back I was buying a bunch of tools from an old retired machinist and he mentioned he had it stored at his buddy's shop, so we drove over and i bought it too. I wasn't in the market for one, but it was a deal that was too good to pass up. I didn't have any idea what I'd use it for and had never operated one. It sat on a furniture dolly in my shop for a couple years in a corner until just a few weeks ago.

 

[traquer]

Nothing like a strong accurate machine! Nice find

 

[Racey]

Made some knew hand cranks for my 2nd Lagun mill, the stock ones are shitty and the X has a spring/dog engagement which is horrible to use. So these are just a scaled up version of a Bridgeport style crank to fit a larger hand and still clear under the table deck. They are also properly calculated to balance with the brass handle

 

[Racey]

 

[Hammer]

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What is the purpose of using a brass material for the handle? Is there a specific reason or did you make it out of brass because you can and it looks cool?

You are on another level dude. Thanks for sharing your projects!

 

[Racey]

What is the purpose of using a brass material for the handle? Is there a specific reason or did you make it out of brass because you can and it looks cool?

You are on another level dude. Thanks for sharing your projects!

I have brass handles i made on my other Lagun years ago, and nobody else has brass handles so it's kinda cool to have a little bling on your machine especially when you use it every day, it just makes you smile.

 

[mattyc]

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Wow! Very nice! What material is the crank? So how did draw that up and determine the counterweight would balance the handle? What tool and insert did you use for the profiling? Does the handle press in, or thread in? Sorry for the 20 questions

 

[Racey]

Wow! Very nice! What material is the crank? So how did draw that up and determine the counterweight would balance the handle? What tool and insert did you use for the profiling? Does the handle press in, or thread in? Sorry for the 20 questions

Fusion 360 has a mass and center of mass calculation function when building a solid and also for the entire assembly. Both sides are tapped and a stud loctited into each when assembled. VPGR for profiling, half the part done the standard 5 degree RH orientation, and half with a Neutral tool to get the back sides of the profile where your tangent point exceeds to the angle of the back side of the RH tool.

CNMG does the bulk of roughing and i think i also finished the ends of with it as well. as that tool can easily profile the ball end.

Neutral tools are tricky because they are further away from the chuck so you gotta be careful not run the turret into the chuck.