JSR wants a lathe/mill thread -> JSR buys Sherline

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

The easy alternative is to buy a miniature carbide cutter for o-rings. You'll find plenty of usages for it. Unless you really prefer to build tools and cutters instead of building cartridges.

I think tool building is a skill for later... What exactly should I be looking for? Something likethis?

[inonickname]

Does the grinder need to have any particular attachments though, like a tool rest?

I think they all have more or less something... more or less crappy, depending on the original price. I'm really not a specialist here, I use carbide tollbits just NOT to have to use the grinder!

mine looks like that:

Craftsman 6" Bench Grinder with Lamp

It's not even installed in the workshop This let you know how often I needed it.

The easy alternative is to buy a miniature carbide cutter for o-rings. You'll find plenty of usages for it. Unless you really prefer to build tools and cutters instead of building cartridges.

Carbide is great! Not only do you not sharpen anything, it's so durable. I can tear through stuff with a carbide bit that a HSS bit would shy away from. A deep cut in hardened steel, turning off a chrome plating (HARD!), really hot cuts, reverse cuts (cutting towards and away from the chuck with the same bit), etc. etc. When the bit has finally been flogged, loosen the screw and turn it around. $10 an insert might seem pricey given the size, but they are really, incredibly strong, and will take a massive amount of abuse and still cut nicely.

[LeMaudit]

What exactly should I be looking for? Something like this?

Yes. But be careful of the shank size when you buy, and check if you have the holder first :toothy10:
If you didn't bought anything else while I was not looking, you have a 1/4" square holder for the lathe. And 3/8" round for your mill (3/8" end mill holder and 3/8" max on the drill chuck).

You link show a 1/4" round shank. To my knowledge, Sherline only makes a 3/8" round Tool post for the lathe. I don't know why, though make a 3/8" to 1/4" bushing adapter is not a big deal.


So your only alternative for using a 1/4" round chuck would be to use it on the drill chuck + mill, with your piece to groove on the rotary table. You could have used colletsas a very good way to hold 1/4" chank, but for cost reasons they are not in your basic set

Or you can use another end mill holder size. Additional costs again.


As a rule, try to avoid cutting anything that will make a strong lateral force on the drill chuck, like with a end mill for example. Drill chucks are made to take a longitudinal force, not a lateral one. You will ruin your chuck precision if you do it. You can do it while you have not other accessories, but with very light cuts.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Yes. But be careful of the shank size when you buy, and check if you have the holder first :toothy10:

Lesson learned, thanks ;P

If you didn't bought anything else while I was not looking, you have a 1/4" square holder for the lathe. And 3/8" round for your mill (3/8" end mill holder and 3/8" max on the drill chuck).

I think I should hide my credit card, work with what I have for a couple of weeks at least, then see what I really need and what I will probably forget in a drawer.

Bought lots more brass in the meantime, expect cartridges of some description in the next few days

[LeMaudit]

I think I should hide my credit card

Send it to me. I'll use it when you need it

work with what I have for a couple of weeks at least,

Very good! Make that a couple of month, and try to buy as much as possible in a single shot, you'll save a lot of shipping charges. Take the time to go through a whole machinist catalog, like KBCTools. You'll know what exist, what is cheap or not, what you can fit on your equipment and what additional tool holder you will need. And it's fun too

what I will probably forget in a drawer

This <s>never</s> rarely happened to me.

expect cartridges of some description in the next few days

Goodie!

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Send it to me. I'll use it when you need it

We have an expression in epoxyland (should it be machingingland now?) that translates literally as "I saw your heart", meaning "I understood your good intentions" in an ever so slightly sarcastic manner

Very good! Make that a couple of month, and try to buy as much as possible in a single shot, you'll save a lot of shipping charges. Take the time to go through a whole machinist catalog, like KBCTools. You'll know what exist, what is cheap or not, what you can fit on your equipment and what additional tool holder you will need. And it's fun too

Sound advice. I predict that before the year is through I would have purchased a separate motor and table for the mill...

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

[LeMaudit]

Very good!

But some important accessories are missing... I'll make a list...

I predict that before the year is through I would have purchased a separate motor and table for the mill...

... and quite an accurate prediction.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

but not the $%^&%^&%$#@^$&%^$#@#@ mill column attachment screws!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHH!!!!!!11

[POLAND_SPUD]

ok
you've got a lathe

we get it


yeah I am envy...

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

you've got a lathe

we get it

No, I got it the purpose of these posts is to convince you to get one too it's only a matter of time I'm sure.

edit: cheers to LeMaudit who kindly chipped in with the missing bolts, common enough items but impossible to find in a metric locality, hopefully I will be able to set it up soon.