SpudFiles

While some of you may now, I have had a lathe for quite some time now, but I have now purchased a vertical mill. (A issue with shipping confirmation has delayed its arrival) With both machines I plan on sticking to plastics, and aluminum.

So I started this thread to generate idears' of what to make. I am limited in some fashions tool-wise, but toss any, and all ideas out there. I have not a vise with a swivel base, tilting table, or rotary table so generating anything off the three axises on the mill is currently unavailable. I'd like to do things more so in aluminum. The deflection occurring with plastic is quite annoying during the machining process, although I will continue to make valves, and other potato launching related items.

As it is I have a few projects set out for sure:
-AL Tool holders 3"x1"x1"
-Boring/Drilling QCTP (The distance from the compound rest, to centerline is less then a inch)
-Carriage stop w/ 2" dial indicator mount
-DRO mounts (possible)

plastic and aluminium would be perfect for something like this

Hmm, while I cannot imagine it holding any purpose, it'd be a nice little project to exhibit workmanship. Think I may browse the net for some actual motors, and possible alternate designs. Probably try, and sketch something up in Rhino for criticism. Thanks for the idear'.

pimpmann22 wrote:Hmm, while I cannot imagine it holding any purpose

perfect for powering a small model aircraft/boat/car - or, I had this idear, you could make an air motor to turn the barrels of a gatling gun and use the exhaust from the cylinder to fire BBs omg!

Quite odd you say that, I had actually planned to closely replicate DR's <a href="http://www.spudfiles.com/spudtech_archi ... light=">BB Gatlin Gun Concept</a>. I only had concerns with how-to approach the rotating surface between the chamber, and the barrel assembly. I had two ideas, one being to groove a track into both surfaces, creating a track for balls, the other being to use a low friction plastic on both surfaces.

Make a small table top catapult or ballista,all machined real nice with the main reason showing off your skills plus making it work.

When I did a lot of machining in school we made steam engines out of brass and aluminium along with a lot of small annoying projects just to hone our skills.I can't get plans to it but why not design and build your own that would be very cool indeed,steam engine that is.

Well if I had those machines I would make my own paintball marker. I would also like to make high pressure piston valves that run in the ranges of 900psi. But that is just me.

Pimp, you should make a simple foundry so you could cast aluminium/brass. Look here: http://www.gizmology.net/furnace.htm

I think you will find plenty of insiration here: http://www.gizmology.net/index.htm , plenty of machining projects.

begin with something simple, a high pressure pump, and a high ressure piston coaxial for example. lot's of fun. Stick to aluminium, much more safe. it's light, can be welded, i'd go for aluminium...

I can think of a bunch of things i want to do with new tools before i get them, then when i have them in hand, it's either theres so many things i have to do, where do i start??? Or, what am i going to due with this, drawing a blank.
Did you draw a blank Pimpmann?
I'm sure you have something around your house that you can't find a part for or just don't want to spend that kind of money on the part. Well, make it! One thing i don't like about vertical mills, you need a lot of tooling to be versitile, otherwise your just makeing groves or realy flat sides.
Side note, the Gatlin BB Gun is flat out BAD ASS!

Hey there you go, a Gatlin Spud Chucker, will need a onboard cutter and loader. But hey, you got the tools to build it. This is not a joke or sarcasm, it would be cool to have one, envy of the spud world!

Make a replica Sheridan PGP.When I get my vertical mill up and going I plan on building an aluminum body for mine.
Come to think of it any pump action paintball marker is fairly easy to machine.As long as they are based on the Nelson or Sheridan valve systems.
They aren't that different from spudguns and fun to mess around with too.

To address the air motor - BB Gatlin idear':

• 1) I don't see the flywheels enclosure serving any purpose, other then that of obvious safety, so could that be left off the design?
  
  2) Seeing as I have absolutely no idea what I am dealing with here, I don't understand how to establish a few basic parameters. Such as:
  -Piston stroke
  -Piston diameter
  -Exhaust diameter
  -Initial inlet diameter
  -Inlet diameter
  -"Ball" diameter
  -"Ball" housing diameter
  -Spring set pressure
  
  3) How to machine the fly wheel. First start with a round disk, then machine the sides flat at a tapered angle (graphic below), or use the design found in the diagram (for the air motor), and cut those concave angles with a band saw. Main issue with that being the accuracy, and finish left.
  
  <img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/uploader/uploadFiles/016.PNG">
  
  4) As from what I see the connecting rod between the piston, and fly wheel have some high-load bearings on both ends. So I would ask, what would be up to the task, but within reasonable bounds as far as cost? I already planned on buying rubber sheeting from McMaster, so I could place both orders at the same time.

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RNA, I have never honestly been into catapults, or ballistas. It is just old technology that seems counter-productive. Well they have there place in launching heavy, irregularly shaped projectiles, but in response I don't have a need/want to launch such items.


I would like to stick to AL, and brass myself. Steel just kicks your cutting tools ass. Sorry if this offends anyone, but I am kind of surprised Australia of all places has a machinery class, while a labor intensive community such as mine doesn't. Guess I could be jealous more then anything. Also looks as if this mentioned motor design can handle steam, so I may build a accompanying steam engine.

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Demon, I have actually looked into aluminum casting. Thing I like is once a initial investment is made to all necessary equipment, aluminum and propane are all that are needed (maybe casting sand). Problem I have is the initial investment itself. But it has to be nice to cast complex designs, only having to machine necessary surfaces. Also thanks for the machining link as well. Haven't talked to you in a while, when you get the chance your need to hop on AIM.

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Jrrdw, I had a wealth of ideas. Because certain tools are unavailable I have had to cut back. Two biggies being the face plate, and indexing rotary table. I had planned to mill up a enclosure for the computer (maybe a mount for the flat screen). Mainly because I am bothered at the fact that whoever makes PC enclosures, has no concept of size. Technology has got smaller, and better but we are still lugging around huge ass towers since 1-in-a-100 kids is going to mod there box. Imagine if your tower was the dimension of a laptop base! *end rant* I may actually still do this as my mom was willing to fund the project.

Correct-o on the vertical mill being a tool whore. I've dished near 500 on tooling. I think its a general consensus that you are going to spend more on tooling, then the machine itself.

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GoatHunter, what mill you have? Personally I'm getting the <a href="http://www.siegind.com/Products/br-x2-lathe.htm">Seig X2</a> mid-sized mini mill. Offered by at least 3 large tool suppliers. Taking a little longer then hoped, finally just dropped the order with Cummins, and placed with HF. IDK, if you have AIM, or MSNM I might have to hit you up, and talk machines.

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As well I think I am going to compile a home machinist related site. Regardless of that ever happening I will be sure, and feed you guys some eye candy related to my machinery, and there accessories. IDK, probably only be interested if you are a nerd like me (not really, but you get the jist).

Aluminium can be quite pricy, well where I live anyway. It would make sense to collect scrap aluminium, which can be very cheap or free depending where you find it, and melt it down and cast it into a basic shape for machining. I have been wanting to do this but have not found the time. Green sand is very easy to make, it explains it on that web site.

Have fun with your new toy Will be able to chat sometime soon, we are nearing end of term.

Harbor Freight uses Central Machinary, i have the bench model drill press. My only complaint with it is slop in the spindle bearings. Other wise, it's great. The best machinary i got to date is my Foley Belsaw Sharpe-all grinder, the table is sweet! Degree markers on all adjustable surfaces for easy set up, motor runs smooth quite with perfect clearances in the shaft bearings, turns 1350 rpm's. I'm so proud of getting that one.

You want a real fun project pimpmann? Make a working corliss steam engine

Pimpman, I've got the little red mill from harbor freight.The one that is basically a drill press with an adjustable slide.I'm not quite sure the model.I got it because it was on sale.I've yet to use,I need to order the cutters.

I'm more of an intro hobby machinist.Lately I've been messing around with my old Atlas lathe.Funny thing is,after working with wood for the most part, metal isn't difficult to deal with at all.Quite predictable compared to wood.

Sorry,I don't have AIM anymore.I got rid of it, my computer doesn't like AIM for some reason.I had freezing and slow issues when it was installed.