Thread: Milling on the lathe...again..pics

That looks so good it'll have to go into limited production, keep us posted with how it performs when finished.

To answer some questions. Yes, I most generally use a drill chuck for tapping. I like the slippage you can have with it. I been told more than once to never do that because it's not the tool for it. Use a tap holder or tapmatic or whatever else. Nah, I like it this way too.
Clearance from bar to slide tube is about .0015.
Thanks JST. You answered to most of the uses. Just picture a 6" dia. bar 64'' long. Yes, I have several mills, but none are high enough to drill a bolt circle in the end of it. Plus, just lugging it to another tool, no thanks.
As for the Versamill. Just googled it. Looks very pricey, plus no quill feed nor quick reverse for tapping. Looks fine, but limited for my use.
To Homemade. Here's a pic of the way I index. Not very clear shot of index wheel 'cause this was for a thread on a hoist to load the workpiece. Index wheel is attached to chuck with a saw blade (teeth ground off) mounted behind it. An air operated caliper (from an ATV) holds chuck tight.

Hi Mud,
You may remember a few months back when I had a post about truing your mill vice to the table. I used it with a right angle to square this thing.

Very much looking forward to your next episode Ray!

I'd sure appreciate it if you'd step back for a shot or two, and let us see it mounted in it's full glory.

Bob

Looking forward to seeing this thing in action. The Versamil site didn't have any clear pictures of what can be done with it.


Tom

Tom,
I agree, but it looks quality built.

Bob, here's a couple pics of it in wide screen.

Exceptional Ray, but then it's you...!

Bob

Originally Posted by Robert Campbell Jr.

Exceptional Ray, but then it's you...!

Bob

Bob,
Thanks for that, but I'm far from exceptional. I just like to make stuff.
Ray

Originally Posted by Ray Behner

Bob,
Thanks for that, but I'm far from exceptional. I just like to make stuff.
Ray

This post was really great. There is probably someone out there right now drawing up a "date of conception paper", anticipating getting a patten.

Nice job Ray. How much does the unit flex when you have the head high on the column(s)? You might as well start mass producing them. Pretty slick idea.

David,
Good question! When I cut the keyway it was flexing a bit. Then I found I only had one lock tightened. After tightening both real tight, it went from crummy to quite acceptable.
Ray

Originally Posted by Ray Behner

I 'spose you noticed that I've been tapping with a drill chuck to hold the tap. Don't ever do that!

I thought that's the way it's always 'sposed to be done ....

I've power tapped a hundred thousand parts with a keyed chuck. The chucks I used were quite worn so a tap turning wasn't a big deal. In a perfect world, I would have separate chucks, one for tapping and other for bits only.
It hurts me deep inside when a drill/tap spins in the jaws...

By the way Ray, your attachment is SUPERB. Your ingenuity and skill is to be admired. People like you are what brings me back here daily.

You can tap with an albrecht type chuck too. Surprised me that the tap stays in when you reverse it.

Of course, no one in a machine shop does anything not in a recommended manner...

Originally Posted by Ray Behner

David,
Good question! When I cut the keyway it was flexing a bit. Then I found I only had one lock tightened. After tightening both real tight, it went from crummy to quite acceptable.
Ray

Wouldn't a cap/bridge on top be a way to get a lot of extra rigidity?

Wouldn't a cap/bridge on top be a way to get a lot of extra rigidity?

Bosley,
Absolutely! I had already drilled and tapped holes in the top of the bars figuring I'd do that. The problem is, I was so hot to trot to get this thing going, I neglected to do just that.

Gatz,
I've always tapped with a chuck. The reason I said that, was for the benefit of a member here. He saw me doing that and went nuts. I won't mention any names, like Jeff B. or anything though.
Ray

Fantastic work Ray. Any chance you might CAD that up? I could use similar for sure.

Originally Posted by Mud

Of course, no one in a machine shop does anything not in a recommended manner...

No not me, by the book all the way except for using a crescent wrench as a hammer and maybe a few others slight short cuts.

Great Job and pictures. I love posts like this.

Just got around to reading this.
Brilliant! Great photos, and write up, too. Thanks for posting.

smt, another who taps with a drill chuck in the mill, was even doing threaded holes on a machine today with a mag drill.