The Double Fisherman's Knot in the Shop

Here's a handy, home made tool for the workshop. This nice tidbit comes from Machinist's Workshop.

Tie a Handle by Chuck Rice

Nothing Sticks To Delrin

Nothing sticks except for this stuff: http://www.reltekllc.com/adhesives-for-delrin.htm

Take it for what it's worth, I haven't tried using the stuff. I've often wanted to glue delrin but was not sure how.

For your enjoyment, here's a fun video of some CNC part making in black delrin. Notice how fast the process is:

Turning Hardened Steel

These guys are having way too much fun!

The owner of this clip says that the insert is designed to do this. Interesting, though, I didn't think this was good for ANY insert. See all the comments here: http://youtu.be/TnxR3HxoHcg Goes to show that there's always something new to learn and it's good to keep an open mind.

Soft Jaws on the Vise

There are countless occasions that soft jaws prove to be just the answer to holding difficult parts.

This somewhat thin and awkward, flanged tube needed a slot milled on the end, so in went the aluminum soft jaws. After boring a space for the tube and removing the temporary spacer, the part naturally aligned with the spindle. There is plenty of surface area to grip and no risk of yanking the part out of the vise.

Solid!

As you can see, the jaws have been used for other set-ups. I make and use new soft jaws frequently and sometimes save them for re-use.

Do You Have "The Knack"?

I know I have it. I'm glad that I do. I've managed to avoid becoming an engineer, though. Phew!

See the Dilbert Episode "The Knack" and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Make a Threading Tool For the Lathe

Here's a good video by Tubalcain about shaping a single point lathe threading tool:

http://youtu.be/HTQ46NMMc88

Tool Grinding In a Pinch

Lately I’ve been working on a bunch of small, round lens-holder parts that have somewhat complex inside contours with multiple ledges and inside chamfers at tight tolerances. I needed a sturdy lathe tool to reach inside a bore and cut a 1/8” chamfer on the corner of a ledge. My small boring bar would have been perfect, except that I had made the nose so sharp. I needed the sharp nose for making sharp inside corners but that pointy nose also made a very rough surface on the chamfer. A second tool with a rounded nose was what I really needed.

Rather than make a trip to the tool store or order another boring bar online, I ground a suitable tool from square HSS tool stock. It took about 15 minutes out of my day and is just as functional as a fancy, round boring bar.

 View of cutting edge.

 Bottom view.

Top view.