New sub forum
- Thread starter Brad
- Start date
KeithB
Resident Half Fast Machinist
Thanks Brad! I assume it's OK to post machining threads that don't directly relate to making guns or gun parts. A lot of the things I'd like to post are things such as improvements in tooling, making simple fixtures, etc. The thought is that the tips and techniques may spark an idea in somebody else's head. I'm also looking forward to learning more from the folks here, there are a lot of people with good ideas on this forum.
KeithB
Resident Half Fast Machinist
I must confess that since retiring from the professoring gig I kind of miss writing. (I don't miss much else tho!) I'm involved in several interesting (to me and my apprentice anyway) projects that I have photographed all along the way. As I finish them up I plan to do an illustrated write-up of each one. Now I have a place to post them.
fiver
Well-Known Member
SWEET!!!!!
I like looking at the jigs and tooling guy's come up with to solve a problem.
sometimes the jig ideas come in handy for us that don't have a lathe when we need to do things the hard way.
I was able to grind a recoil pad to fit one of my guns perfectly after seeing the little tool Larry Potter used in a video, by kind of copying it by making something similar from a 2X4.
I like looking at the jigs and tooling guy's come up with to solve a problem.
sometimes the jig ideas come in handy for us that don't have a lathe when we need to do things the hard way.
I was able to grind a recoil pad to fit one of my guns perfectly after seeing the little tool Larry Potter used in a video, by kind of copying it by making something similar from a 2X4.
Check amazon new/used books on jig and fixture design.They are a mainstay in any pro working shop.
It's a deep subject to be sure.Balancing the time spent RD'ing fixtures with projected earnings as a result.one of my favorites is,"captured" designs.....flip a lever or stop,insert part,get on with the machining.Dial in the fixture once,each part is captured.Easy peasy.
Notes are a MUST!!We'll put sequencing on a pce of paper,hang it at eye level at the machine.Then,keep the cheat sheet with the jig in storage.
Just for S&G's.....look for images of old Walker Turner,4 head DP's (drill press).There's also drill heads that utilize a single spindle,but have a rotating assembly which carries multiple chucks.Spot drill,twist drill,counter bore,counter sink...as quickly as turning the carrier.Folks think all this got thrown out with CNC.We've bought some of these machines cheaper than software upgrades on big CNCs.They just keep plugin along.
Like most shooting sports,the more you're involved with quality "practice"....the easier it gets.You start to "see" it.Just don't get too bogged down when first starting.Make them simple locator's first,addressing conveniences to speed it up.Pneumatics are the shnitz,along with cam locks.
It's a deep subject to be sure.Balancing the time spent RD'ing fixtures with projected earnings as a result.one of my favorites is,"captured" designs.....flip a lever or stop,insert part,get on with the machining.Dial in the fixture once,each part is captured.Easy peasy.
Notes are a MUST!!We'll put sequencing on a pce of paper,hang it at eye level at the machine.Then,keep the cheat sheet with the jig in storage.
Just for S&G's.....look for images of old Walker Turner,4 head DP's (drill press).There's also drill heads that utilize a single spindle,but have a rotating assembly which carries multiple chucks.Spot drill,twist drill,counter bore,counter sink...as quickly as turning the carrier.Folks think all this got thrown out with CNC.We've bought some of these machines cheaper than software upgrades on big CNCs.They just keep plugin along.
Like most shooting sports,the more you're involved with quality "practice"....the easier it gets.You start to "see" it.Just don't get too bogged down when first starting.Make them simple locator's first,addressing conveniences to speed it up.Pneumatics are the shnitz,along with cam locks.
One pce of that gets "lost" in equipment discussions is a hydraulic H frame press.Ours gets used for things that just can't be explained.....from swaging tubing to glue ups for cabinet shop.Although we invested in pneumatic bow forms.....hydraulic presses somewhat predate "air" and are still used in the industry.
I'd rate the H frame press as one of the best kept secrets in shop world.Folks don't know what they don't know.
I'd rate the H frame press as one of the best kept secrets in shop world.Folks don't know what they don't know.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
Yes, a press.
Besides the normal bearing pressing and such, I've straightened an amazingly pretzeled mower blade with my 20 ton press.
Just a matter of supporting it correctly and applying the force in just the right spot. Decades of doing stress analysis makes
it easy for me to visualize how the support and load have to be to get the deformation I need.
As far as jigs and fixtures, where I used to work, we had a whole department of engineers and
designers making them.
Besides the normal bearing pressing and such, I've straightened an amazingly pretzeled mower blade with my 20 ton press.
Just a matter of supporting it correctly and applying the force in just the right spot. Decades of doing stress analysis makes
it easy for me to visualize how the support and load have to be to get the deformation I need.
As far as jigs and fixtures, where I used to work, we had a whole department of engineers and
designers making them.