Harold Hall

First Page

Workshop Projects

Using just the lathe and a drilling machine.

I said at the beginning that I would add a few comments regarding making the parts using just a lathe (without a vertical slide) and drilling machine. If a vertical slide is available then the setups will follow those used on the milling machine. Of course, the limited table area will sometimes make the process a little more difficult to set up. I will comment using the photograph numbers as a reference.

Photo 3 When machining the first face place in the four jaw but with the inner face away from the chucks face. Using a small square, check each side is at right angles to the chuck’s face.

Photo 5 Clamp the Body to the cross slide using packing below to set the position of the groove being made. The position of the groove is not vital as any small error will be accommodated using later setups.

Photo 6 The dimensions for the position of the groove are not critical so the absence of adjustment on the third axis should not be a problem. Set up an angle plate on the cross slide and use packing below the Tool Holder to set the groove’s position.

Photos 8-11 These can easily be transferred to the drilling machine only setting the position being a little more difficult. The vice will of course need to be secured to the machines table after positioning.

Photos 18, 19 and 20 Clamp the drilling vice to the drilling machine table whilst setting the fixed jaw 30mm from the drills spindle axis. The dimension is not critical any small error being accommodated by later setups. The fixed jaw acting as a replacement for the fence in the photographs. Move the workpiece left and right in the vice to set the position of the holes.

For Photo 20, raise the body in the vice on parallels holding only a small portion of it in the vice and rest the Tool Holder on the top of the jaws. Use a toolmakers clamp or G clamp to secure the Tool Holder to the Body, or, use bars, studs and nuts.

Photos 21 and 22 Mount the Tool Holder on the lathes cross slide using an angle plate to support it and a fence to set it upright. Unless you have a 7mm end mill two passes will have to be made and be set up differently for each pass.

I hope these suggestions will be of help!