By Thomas LaMance Modelmakers and toolroom machinists often find it necessary to improvise special lathe dog drivers when setting up precision jobs on lathes and milling machines. The special driver is designed to prevent chattering and undue backlash when machining light work betweeen centers, using either the conventional dog or the clamp-type toolmaker’s dog. It [...]
The following is an excerpt from the October/November 2009 issue of Machinist's Workshop By Fred Prestridge I have wanted a double rifle for a long time. They have always been way out of my league in price, though. For those of you who are not familiar with them, there is a reason they are expensive. [...]
From the archives Sometimes it’s difficult to create setups for castings or other pieces with unusual shapes. An easy and cheap solution I’ve found is Bondo – yes, THAT Bondo! For those who don’t know, Bondo is a brand-name for a dent and rust filler often used by body shops to hold a car together. [...]
by Jim Hauser My two photos show how I was able to use some donated mousepads in my shop. The one used on the extra table I designed and built for my Logan lathe is a bit small but still does a good job of protecting the items I like to keep close at hand. [...]
by Steve Acker One of my customers brought in an old lever-action rifle with a centrally mounted hammer. While in pretty good shape overall, the hammer was very loose in the frame side-to-side. The hammer pivot pin and the pivot hole in the hammer were badly worn. He wanted to reduce the side-to-side play of [...]
by Mike Solomon I have yet another method to align the tailstock with the headstock. I have used this method for years and have found it to be quicker and more accurate than the usual center-to-center method. All that is needed is two pieces of drill rod; 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch diameter works well. [...]