Todays Project - What did you do today?

[f350ca]

Got a little more time in on the cabinets, this project is taking too long, too many interruptions. One more section to go for the base units, then the upper cabinets, then in the spring concrete counter tops.

[TomG]

Greg,

That elm is gonna make some mighty nice looking cabinets. What are you going to finish them with?

Tom

[EdK]

Yup, that grain is going to pop. Nice work Greg!

Ed

[f350ca]

My normal kitchen cabinet finish starts with sanding to 220 grit, any finer seems to be a waste of effort. Then rub in a coat of Tung oil, it seems to bring out the colours as well as anything, let it dry for a few days then hand sand with 320 grit to cut off any fibres the oil raised. After than oil based urethane varnish (which is getting hard to get with the new VOC requirements). The product I've been using the last few years is really a urethane with dyes to simulate the old yellow varnish colour. I thin it about 1 part varnish to 4 or 5 parts mineral spirits, (really thin) then rub it on with a soft cotton rag. This leaves no sags or brush marks and dries quickly, you could probably do 3 or 4 coats in a day. Real light sand between coats and you end up with what looks like a heavy oil finish but tough as nails and easy to wipe or wash, which is important in a kitchen.

[ml_woy]

A while back I was digging in a drawer and found a revolving tailstock turret which came with my Craftsman 12” 1942 lathe that I purchased in 1985. The part was dirty and missing a couple of parts. I had never thought I would find a use for it giving I was not doing repetitive work. Well an hour of time cleaning it up and I find it is in good condition and made by ENCO. I did not even realize that ENCO was in business in 1942, let alone manufacturing parts. Well quick look in the ENCO catalogue finds that they are still producing the item under part #326-000 and selling it for $66.76. Probably now it is made in China not the USA.

Well I figured out that the Turret uses 3/8” round stock, drilled and tapped for a ¼-20 set screw to hold the bits in place. I then placed an order with ENCO for some 3/8” drill stock and set at making a set of holders for my reamers, and drills for reaming, tapping and drilling. After completing the holders I designed and built an index to hold the reamers and bits. The unit is going to hang on the side of one of my tool boxes right next to my lathe. I also took the time to build a holder for small size taps and incorporated it into the index.

Here are some pictures of the index, index drill holders and tap holder.
               

[TomG]

Woy,

A tailstock turret is a handy accessory even if you only have a few parts to make. Nice job on resurrecting yours.

I first discovered Enco in the 1970's when most of the stuff they sold was made in Japan. Here's a pic of a magnetic stand that I purchased form Enco in 1972.

Tom

[sasquatch]

Nice work guys!!

[f350ca]

This is why I need to get that CNC plasma table built.
Parts for 3 alternator brackets for someone. The main body on top was cut using two masonite templets, the arcs on the bottom sheet were done with a trammel point attachment. Sure would be a lot faster with a computer steering the torch.

[ETC57]

Looks darn good to me Greg,
I sure do like the look of plasma as apposed to my hack work with gas.

Jerry

[f350ca]

Another project arrived in my yard today. Still one more load coming, that I cut up for my aunt Iva and Trish.