09-08-2012, 09:28 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-08-2012, 09:49 AM by Sunset Machine.)
I hear you about the back strain. I dread spending time on the South Bend, 4-6 inches higher would have been nice, it needs a concrete/wood pad under it the way things are now (underdrive, floor mounted).
Back to your taper-maker -- are you cutting on the top, or side? I was thinking of hanging a drill press on mine. Taut-wire gear cutter too.
As to the original post, I've read some PDF's and it seems they have no qualms about a 15 degree rake in steel. No worries about backlash/freefalling either, so that all might be barking up the wrong tree. It was my first day out with it, and looking at the work a little closer I see small scallops in random spots. Means my square nose tool is too wide and digging in, doesn't it. The PDF (Shaper Work, University of New York, 1944) shows 3/16" and mine is about 1/4", maybe more. I'll narrow it up and try again.
Interestingly, there was a section in the direction of feed. They prefer that the feed occurs "during the return stroke". With the clapper flying, that means feeding in mid-air and my machine is designed to do that in one direction only. The feed adjustment is an L-shaped affair, other machines use a T-shape or variation, something that allows the setting to be made on either side. Actually, the alternate makes more sense, feeding at the beginning, but they're pretty firm on the mid-air thing.
Back to your taper-maker -- are you cutting on the top, or side? I was thinking of hanging a drill press on mine. Taut-wire gear cutter too.
As to the original post, I've read some PDF's and it seems they have no qualms about a 15 degree rake in steel. No worries about backlash/freefalling either, so that all might be barking up the wrong tree. It was my first day out with it, and looking at the work a little closer I see small scallops in random spots. Means my square nose tool is too wide and digging in, doesn't it. The PDF (Shaper Work, University of New York, 1944) shows 3/16" and mine is about 1/4", maybe more. I'll narrow it up and try again.
Interestingly, there was a section in the direction of feed. They prefer that the feed occurs "during the return stroke". With the clapper flying, that means feeding in mid-air and my machine is designed to do that in one direction only. The feed adjustment is an L-shaped affair, other machines use a T-shape or variation, something that allows the setting to be made on either side. Actually, the alternate makes more sense, feeding at the beginning, but they're pretty firm on the mid-air thing.