Checking My Nuts

[Vinny]

I've thought about a similar approach but instead of two springs I was going to use one larger one around the screw. A second approach was to drill 2 or 3 holes around the outside, tapping and dropping a ball bearing in and spring loading it. Two things I haven't been able to hash out was 1) how do I get the holes to end up in the right spot to catch the lowest part of the thread and 2) would this approach really even work.

[Dr Stan]

Has anyone suggested ball threads? 

[f350ca]

So Ed hows your nuts?

[Highpower]

[EdK]

I haven't done anything with them yet except draw up the acme tool bit inserted into the boring bar to make sure there's going to be enough clearance inside the bored hole for the bit and the tool holder. It'll be tight but should be doable. I'll probably tackle grinding the bit this evening.

Ed

[EdK]

I got the acme thread gauge today and was able to confirm the threads are definitely 29 degrees.

Ed

[EdK]

I finally got some work done on grinding the bit. It's only 3/16" square so kind of hard to hold and grind free-hand. It still needs some refining with sharpening stones but all I've got are fine water stones I use for sharpening woodworking plane blades and chisels. They are taking too long to remove metal so I'm going to get an oil stone or two that aren't so fine.

Ed

   

[f350ca]

May be hard to hold but a lot less metal to remove. I've got a surplus of 3/8, a lot of grinding to get a cutter out of those. Hate to say it but my experience has been that the water stones cut a lot quicker than an oil stone. I reserve the water stones for chisels and plane irons though, they're too soft for the machine shop.
If your using the round face to the grinder, the honing should only be touching the top and bottom of the hollow to remove the scratches left by the grinder.

[EdK]

(02-26-2015, 05:21 PM)f350ca Wrote: May be hard to hold but a lot less metal to remove. I've got a surplus of 3/8, a lot of grinding to get a cutter out of those. Hate to say it but my experience has been that the water stones cut a lot quicker than an oil stone. I reserve the water stones for chisels and plane irons though, they're too soft for the machine shop.
If your using the round face to the grinder, the honing should only be touching the top and bottom of the hollow to remove the scratches left by the grinder.

Greg,

Water stones are quicker if you have the right grit. Mine are all meant for putting on a keen edge, not for removing metal quickly. You're right about hem being soft though.
My problem is I can't see the details on such a small bit when I'm grinding it. Getting old has it's advantages but one of them is not keen sight.  
I'll keep at it. I want to do a test run on some aluminum (aluminium) this weekend so I'd like to get this tool bit ready.

By the way, I'm thinking of making a new nut for the X lead screw but making a new Y lead screw to fit the existing nut since it's in good shape. I think it'll be easier for me to succeed in make a new left hand threaded lead screw than making a new left hand threaded nut. I could be wrong, usually am, but I haven't made up my mind quite yet. I'm going to tackle the X nut first since that's in the worst shape.

Ed

[dallen]

thought that an Acme Thread had a square tip, or is it my old eye's not seeing correctly

DA