Engine turning

[Will_D]

(08-16-2014, 08:05 AM)ieezitin Wrote: Does any of you out there have any suggestions on what to use for an engine turning tip/end tool, and any knowledge on speeds of the quill and lubricant.

Engine turning is basically a form of abrasive lapping:

A soft material and an abrasive will abrade the harder material. The abrasive (like carborundum/emery/diamond paste) will embed into the softer material and so abrade the harder material.

So to engine turn stainless steel:

Mount a brass blank of desired size onto a shaft and secure in drill press. Use a carborundum or emery water or oil slurry on the work.

With the drill stopped just press down hard to embed some grains.

Turn on the drill and start making those little circles.

If your tool needs more abrasive then repeat the stop/press down to reload the tool as above.

Some people mistakenly think that if you fit felt pads to you chairs that will stop them from scratching your polished wooden floors.

By the above logic felt is the worst thing to fit to chair legs. The best would be polished, glass hard hi-carbon steel pads!

Hope this helps

Will