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(09-14-2012, 08:17 PM)TomG Wrote: (09-14-2012, 03:44 PM)EdK Wrote: Hi Tom,
I was just designing an outboard cat eye for my lathe during a slow time at work today. I'm thinking of making it out of aluminum if I don't have any steel large enough. Do you think aluminum will work in that application?
Oh, and good luck grouse hunting.
Thanks,
Ed
Hey Ed,
Aluminum should work fine for occasional use, but if you plan on using it a lot I'd opt for steel. One thing you could do to toughen up an aluminum version is to Heli-coil the set screw holes.
Tom
Excellent suggestion Tom!
OK, I just went and checked. I do have some steel large enough so steel it will be. That's going to be a lot of boring in steel. I think the largest drill bit I have is 3/4" and I need to bore it out to 1.57" IIRC.
Ed
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Hello Ed,
You might have a spindle bore of 1.57" but you unless you are intending to use it with that diameter stock I would design it to suit a 1.57" inch bore and then only bore it to the biggest size that I would be likely to use at the moment, that way if a big job turns up you can always bore it out to suit, but won't be wasting the time if that job never turns up.
Just my 2 pennies worth.
Regards
Rick
Whatever it is, do it today, Tomorrow may not be an option and regret outlasts fatigue.
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That's a good idea Rick. I think I can get away with a 3/4" bore on it for now.
Ed
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I had an hour to kill in the shop tonight so I bored the taper in the spindle cat head. The compound was set to the correct taper by indicating the spindle nose for a perfect match to the 8º included angle. It still needs a locking pin and a hole for the spanner to remove it from the spindle.
Tom
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I had the pleasure of seeing this project in person yesterday and I must say that the pictures don't do it justice. The Chevelle isn't bad either
Hunting American dentists since 2015.
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Thanks Darren, we enjoyed your visit!
Tom