MadModder

The Shop => Finishing => Topic started by: Divided he ad on August 16, 2008, 03:57:37 AM

Title: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on August 16, 2008, 03:57:37 AM
So here is a vid that I made and was a bit uneasy about.... It is purely to show how to use the techniques not I'll repeat that NOT   telling anyone to use their lathe in this manner....
I have a very small workshop and it is the lack of space that prevents me from using a dedicated polishing machine.

I take the risk of having my hand whacked by the chuck.... A guard is under developement and when complete will be posted here too.

Anyway all that said, here is the vid.... Hope the techniques and descriptions help?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gLRoblphSeY

There is a good website out there too...  http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm


Hope this all helps someone  :)


If it is too upsettigng for some people then say your bit.... it can always be removed!! (Ehh Eric!!)  ::)



Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Brass_Machine on September 05, 2008, 01:00:15 PM
Of course it works. Nice presentation on polishing bits. Well done Ralph.

I have conscripted an unused drill press that I have into my polishing station. it works pretty good.

Eric
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Bernd on September 05, 2008, 02:38:39 PM
The Blingmister does it again. Very nice vid of how to polish.

You said you have a very small workshop, not enven room for just a motor to put the polishing mops on?

Bernd
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on September 05, 2008, 07:46:53 PM
Wow!! Took you a while to see this one!

Bernd, my workshop area is approx 6.8' square!  That houses my 9x20 lathe and my mill (Pretty big for a hobby one)

Then there is my work bench and my compressor and my surface table then the bench vise and also a bench grinder and not to forget the multi former..... erm I think that's it..... !!

It took me 2 weeks to re-organise it so that I could work in it, and now you want me to find room for more!!  :o


I just think I will carry on as I am for now, not had any large mishaps to date (touch wood!)



Eric, is it a little odd having the mops on their side? ... I suppose that you get used to it?



Glad you like the theory behind the demo,



Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Bernd on September 05, 2008, 10:51:35 PM
I guess you don't have much room do you, 6.8' square.  :o

Just looked around my little shop and it's way larger than yours. You must step out side your shop to change projects and your mind.  :D

Ya, it took me a while. Hey at my age it's a wonder I even saw it. :)  ::)

BTW, Casewell Plating is somewhat close to were I live.

Hey, sorry about asking you to install another machine in your cramped quarters. I keep forgetting how small some of your shops are over there. I'm surprised how much the Bog's got into his small shop. See I've got six acres over here to hid stuff, plus about 2300sq. ft. basement. Also have a 2 car garage that should fit 2 full size vehicles. At present the wife is lucky to get her VW Golf in and be able to open the door. See, "stuff" keeps following me home.  ;)

Bernd

P.S. I'm going to have to try that polishing technique sometime. I've got a polishing wheel around here somewere. Just need to make a mandrel to mount it in the lathe.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on September 07, 2008, 08:12:28 PM
Not much room at all!! .... When do I come over and move in?  ;D

If you have one try a collet chuck... Much safer!  I was thinking about making a morse 3 extended arbour to fit the 'pig tail' into my spindle without the need for the chuck.... A little safer.



As I state in the video... this is just my way (sing along if you have to!!  ;D )


Have fun and stay safe,



Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Bernd on September 07, 2008, 08:55:54 PM
Not much room at all!! .... When do I come over and move in?  ;D

As soon as they let you leave over there.  :D

Quote
If you have one try a collet chuck... Much safer!  I was thinking about making a morse 3 extended arbour to fit the 'pig tail' into my spindle without the need for the chuck.... A little safer.

Hey, now there's a good idea. Using a taper arbor in the head stock. Kind of turns the lathe into a multi purpose tool.

Quote
As I state in the video... this is just my way (sing along if you have to!!  ;D )


Have fun and stay safe,



Ralph.

Absolutley.

Bernd
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Brass_Machine on September 08, 2008, 02:09:30 PM
...See I've got six acres over here to hid stuff, plus about 2300sq. ft. basement.

Never ceases to amaze me... If only I had that kind of room. OFC, with 6 acres, i would have a garden steam train line too! What are you waiting for Bernd?

Eric
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on September 08, 2008, 02:13:17 PM
Ha!! I've been over there once... NYC last november.... Cool city  ;D

So do you want the address to send the ticket  :D


I will get back over there to that little country of yours! Just a matter of where all the funding is coming from!
I still haven't finished my house... had the damn thing 6 years and never lived in it!!!

Suppose that I should prioritise a bit more eh!?


I haven't made the arbour yet.... It is in the 'back of the mind' phase of design  ::)

I will also make a small guard for it as the spindle on my 9x20 has a whopping M40x4 thread on it.... that's a mangler if ever there was one!!!


Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Bernd on September 08, 2008, 03:41:57 PM
...See I've got six acres over here to hid stuff, plus about 2300sq. ft. basement.

Never ceases to amaze me... If only I had that kind of room. OFC, with 6 acres, i would have a garden steam train line too! What are you waiting for Bernd?

Eric

Let's see ..... MONEY .... How's that.  ;D  Oh, and a lot of ambition.  :P

I have the plans for a 1.5" scale Shay and have thought about putting in a system.

But if you ever saw how far I need to go to finish the house before I can spend full time on the hobbies you'd know I might never get to the live steam.
And there's a thing called "wife" that says I need to finish the house before I can play. Damit. Just can't win.  :(

I guess I'll never run out of things to do. I've known some people that have no hobbies and all they do sit around waiting to meet the grim reaper. At least I'll go with to much to do.  ;D

Bernd
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Brass_Machine on September 08, 2008, 04:10:38 PM
What are you waiting for? Finish the house already! I do know the feeling though, I got so many things to do before I can play.

Money is the other huge issue I have as well. Maybe you find something to do with the hobby stuff to make money? Look at Bog, he makes engines and then sells them. I am close to doing something similar... got pay for bigger toys to make better stuff. who knows, maybe one day my hobby will turn into a full time business.

swmbo, gotta listen to her. Give some and take some, the divine balance is there somewhere. :)

Eric
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Bernd on September 08, 2008, 04:21:09 PM
Not to take away from the thread here but ah, I think we're off topic and hi-jacking Ralph's thread.

Although if we're polishing up the wife so we can play, then I'd say we are on topic.  :o

Bernd
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Brass_Machine on September 08, 2008, 04:24:51 PM
True. but it is just as much as Ralphs fault as ours.  ;D
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Brass_Machine on September 08, 2008, 04:28:00 PM

Eric, is it a little odd having the mops on their side? ... I suppose that you get used to it?


Back on topic...

It was a little... Gotta be careful for if the mop catches a piece and rips it out of your hand it goes across the room at great force. I have been thinking of modifying it so it takes up less room and positions the mop at the correct angle.

Eric
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on September 08, 2008, 08:15:38 PM
Eric, I think you will find that Bog's swaps his little crafted engines for some of that other stuff we all want....

Now back onto the important bit.... I am single (no extra help in the what to do department) and have just enough money to enjoy a little of my life, and do very little to my house!  Still I enjoy what I make and find my shop the only true place I have to relax and lose myself in a world that I really like.

I am not saying this in a depressed state (most of the time I'm quite chipper  :D ) just letting you know that is what my shop is....  Life therapy!!  ;)


Now about this polishing stuff.... I will soon create the spindle previously discussed and then the current video will be re-made, ok so I will lose the hit rating on ulube but it will be a bit of a safer posting ;D


Sleep now talk later!



Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: bogstandard on November 10, 2008, 05:58:56 PM
My first contribution here is to give young Ralph a little push in public.

He has no excuse now for putting off this project. I read this post a while back, and while Ralph was on his visit, I donated the necessary bits to make himself a SAFER polishing pigtail.

SO

 :worthless:


Bogs
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Brass_Machine on November 10, 2008, 06:13:30 PM
No excuse no Ralph! Got it from the master's own mouth!

Eric
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on November 10, 2008, 06:25:05 PM
Good evening Mr Standard   :thumbup:
I'll start work on that when I next need to polish.... Shouldn't be too long  ;)


I have the two main items here too.... And it will surely only be a matter of 20 mins or so to convert to said safer option.

Now, just need to finish a few outstanding items and were ready to start some more fun projects  ;D



Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on November 15, 2008, 08:19:54 PM
Well eventually due to a few donated parts  ;)

A new buffing wheel spindle..... Look maw!..... No chuck!!!   :D



MT3 blank....
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02460.jpg)

A bit of free hand shaping,  ;D  making sure to leave a collar the same size as the thread... A bit safer than turning it all down to 16MM  ;)
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02461.jpg)

A little flat to aid drilling.
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02463.jpg)

Driled and tapped for grubscrew M6x1.0.
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02464.jpg)

drill for pigtail shaft to fit, in this instance 6mm
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02465.jpg)

And you end up with this....  :thumbup:
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02466.jpg)

Add a buffing mop and you are away  ;D
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02468.jpg)

This not only provides a Great deal more safety but also allows you to get to both sides of the mop easily  ;D

Very happy with this mod  ;) Just used it to polish a the mini ball turner  ;D

I am thinking about a cover for the threads.... Just a cylinder held in place by the MT3, there is enough of a gap between the arbour and the spindle to accommodate a cover.... Well that's for the next time I'm going to polish something  ;D



Ralph.

Quote
And it will surely only be a matter of 20 mins or so to convert to said safer option
And it took me about an hour due to styling .... For safety that was!!  ;)  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: bogstandard on November 16, 2008, 01:07:59 AM
Ralph,

That is much safer now, no more nearly knocked knuckles. You should find now that your polishing will be a lot easier now you can easily get to all areas of the mop.

 :worthless:

Now all we need is a demo vid of it in action.



Bogs
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Darren on November 16, 2008, 05:23:17 AM
I think you'll feel safer now without that chuck constantly threatening you  :bugeye:

Simple idea, but ver neat and effective, do I detect an mt3 collet hiding there somewhere?

Darren
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on November 16, 2008, 08:32:31 AM
No vid as yet John.... But there is plenty of project material on the way I hope  ;D

Darren, no collets required. The MT3 arbour pushes directly into the spindle as it is ground to accept MT3... Works really well and holds very firmly.

And it feels much, much safer  ;D


Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Darren on November 16, 2008, 12:31:14 PM
Ah, gotcha  ;)
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: CrewCab on November 16, 2008, 01:29:45 PM
The MT3 arbour pushes directly into the spindle

And, should it develop the habit of working loose, adding a drawbar is a simple task.

CC
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on February 09, 2009, 03:48:45 PM
Ok.... Safety update!!  :)


I had a hole in my day today so filled it with a little shop time.... I made the guard for the polishing mop arbour... A few pics that explain all


Please forgive the chattering on the boring.... It was perfect until the final skim.... Then chattered like a good un!!!

(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02888.jpg)

(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02890.jpg)

(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02891.jpg)

(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02895.jpg)

(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/dividedhead/polishing/DSC02893.jpg)


That should do to let you see now there are far less chances of being hauled into the machinery.

No sharp edges and smooth contours to hopefully glide off if need arises (can't see why, but you never know!!)

:thumbup:

Soon to follow a new video to replace the current one, it will look better and safer if done with this attachment    :ddb:





Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: rleete on February 09, 2009, 03:56:10 PM
Just couldn't resist polishing it up?
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on February 09, 2009, 04:09:42 PM
Well...... What's life without a little sparkle?  :D




But as said it serves a purpose too... Should I make contact I 'should' just glide off..... ??  (don't intend to test it !!)



Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 10, 2009, 12:39:02 AM
HA HA HA HA Thats great!

I was thinking it looked like some sort of Journey to the center of the earth drill machine.

Then it turned into some sort of Retro-rod bumper with polishing buffer action!

Its really quite a beautiful piece. All going back to Artist factor. Its a tool... but its pretty.

Form follows function. Its pretty cause it is a really nice tool.. and its pretty cause its all shiny.  :clap: And the shininess.. although its fun, and looks good...really helps. Bumping a part you have been polishing for 20 minutes onto a sharp edged, not very smooth rotating mass will leave a mark.
In this case.. it shouldnt do anything.

Great part!
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on February 10, 2009, 02:38:42 AM
Thanks Scott :)

Mmmmm..... A drilling machine to reach the earths core.....  :proj:      :smart:   :borg:


I'm glad your on board with my concept of non harmfull bumpage  :thumbup:



Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: sbwhart on February 10, 2009, 03:06:36 PM
Hi Chaps

Now her's a confestion (is it an f or a v or neither, ho hell you know what I'm on about)  :scratch:

I've never used a polishing mop, not being into bling,

but now I know how to do it safely, no gloves, pig tail on a proper arbour, with threads guarded. 

 :mmr:

Thanks

Stew
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on February 11, 2009, 03:00:32 AM
Quote
I've never used a polishing mop, not being into bling


We can solve that Stew..... Once you catch the bug you'll find it hard not to start shining up your loco!!!    :bugeye:   :thumbup:


I'm sure John could show you like he did me.... Only took about 20 min's to show me the working principle and the rest as they say is history   :headbang:


Oh and "style enhancement" please..... Not bling..... We have a reputation to uphold here!    :)      :lol:




Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: SPiN Racing on February 11, 2009, 06:11:50 AM
Noooo its not enhancement!!

Its waxing the metal to prevent corrosion!!!  :med:
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: lazylathe on September 29, 2009, 08:16:51 PM
Very neat idea!
I use the same kind of idea...
Strips of heavy cloth with Brasso and run it up and down, only works for round objects!

Otherwise i have a dental hanpiece with adjustable speed and a collet to accept small mandrels.

Love the background music by Ed Alleyne Johnson, have not listened to Purple Violin Concerto for some time now!!
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on September 30, 2009, 07:15:58 PM
Nice to see people still read the older posts  :)


As stated... My way not the way!

There are many different ways of getting fine results, I use a pencil die grinder for very small/fiddly bits  :dremel:


Ed does play mighty fine music.... Although haven't seen him in Chester for a while now? Oh well.... I do have 5 of his CD's to keep me going  :ddb:






Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Krown Kustoms on November 04, 2009, 09:30:11 AM
I use my lathe to polish as well, I have been working on a MT3 arbour because I have hit the chuck.
It felt like a baseball bat to the knuckles, lucky though only a cut and bruise.
I use the lathe for a lot of things, a few weeks ago I wound a coil for an engine I was working on.
Back to the polishing though, nice job with the arbour.
I was using a mop on a bench grinder and the speed is way too fast, I lost more parts across the room than I finished.
Thats why I went to the lathe.
-B-
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on November 08, 2009, 08:15:43 AM
Yup.... That's the danger part of it alright.

It was pointed out to me very early on that it had it's dangers, I had the arbour in mind but just had to wait to get it made.


Then I had the main bit donated to my cause by Bogs and had it made in about an hour!

The guard was definitely needed cause the threads looked menacing!



mmm.... First post for ages!  I'll have to remedy that! 





Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: CrewCab on November 08, 2009, 02:35:49 PM
mmm.... First post for ages!  I'll have to remedy that!    

Eyup stranger  :thumbup:

CC
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on November 08, 2009, 06:43:51 PM
 :D

Alright chief  :thumbup:



Just started to get too cold for extra earners ehh!?  :dremel:




See you around soon enough.



Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: djh82uk on November 21, 2009, 12:10:35 PM
Very impressive making that pigtail, I would never be able to make that whit my skills.

I have a mains power drill that I have adapted to be stuck in a bench vice, and then bought the mops and pigtail, not as nice as yours tho :(

DJH
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on November 22, 2009, 06:07:48 PM
Hi DJH.... Nice handle!  I'm RJH!  :wave:


Anywho!

This should be quite within your capabilities... I've just taken a butchers at all your posts and if you can make some of that gear then you can make this!

It might be a little big for your lathe mind! Depends on the mop size I suppose?

The arbour is purchased and is "soft" steel on the large end that I machined. (M2 taper arbours are quite a bit smaller.) So cuts pretty easily. Then if you can drill and tap a hole, then you can sort this out in no time  :dremel:


There is certainly no need to make one if you have something to do the job anyway.... Most people convert bench grinders. I just simply do not have the luxury of space!



Slightly  :offtopic:    But it's my thread so....


The lathe and mill manual work takes time... Even though I'd had college instruction (in '91! ) I still made huge amounts of swarf just making shapes, trying to cut domes, cones and all sorts of odd shapes by hand using the two handles simultaneously just to get the feel of the machines.

I don't think it matters who you are in this hobby.... (IMHO) We're all still teaching ourselves new things every time we make something. Be it stuffing a teddy bear to operating various machines  :smart:

That's what makes it fun  :thumbup:



Well I'm rambling.... Nothing new  ::)



I'll try to keep up with some of your other projects.... I like the look of the car   :borg:






Ralph.




Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: djh82uk on November 23, 2009, 10:32:19 AM
Yeh I may have a look and see if I have any blank arbours lying around, I think my problem is that I mostly work with aluminium & brass, have a done a little bit of mild steel but having a small lathe means it takes a long time.

Although I am saving up for a new lathe & mill, just trying to decide at the moment which ones to get (been looking at the New ones that RDG tools stock)

I think I may convert the current lathe over to CNC then as soon as I can figure out how to connect two shafts together while only having access to the center of one (needs a photo I guess).

I hate doing the polishing but I do polish everything I make, I jsut can't help it, although I never sand it enough.

Also been looking at making a vibratory polisher but just have too many things I want to make

The list so far:
RC car thingy
Convert lathe to CNC
Low temp Stirling engine
some form of IC engine (looking for plans)
Segway clone (just for the challenge, would never bee seen on one)
Unidirectional Eyeballs that follow you around the room (don't ask)
aswell as a number of electronic projects for my fathers model railway

Only doing the RC car as I have a fair bit of stuff lying around that I can use, The rest I am mostly waiting on funds, need some big diameter perspex tube for the stirling, need some motors for the segway, eyeballs on hold until I learn to drill an accurate hole through the top/middle of a tube and have it come out at the same location on the bottom.

Plus having to go to work reduces my workshop time :(

But I do seem to be in their a lot more since my wife decided she was gonna get a horse and go riding every day after work (If I had wanted to do that I would have no chance getting it past her)

DJH
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: bogstandard on November 23, 2009, 11:24:43 AM
DJH,

Welcome to the club on having a tuit list. You will most probably find yours rather small (the tuit list) compared to a few others on here.

I don't know what part of the UK you are from, but if you are ever passing my way, I could easily chop a lump off the perspex tubing I have.

Now regarding this four legged gluepot (hoss) that is only used in the evening, maybe you should be looking for a way for it to earn it's keep during the time it is standing idle and unused. Treadmill maybe,  :proj: for generating power.  :lol:


Bogs
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Krown Kustoms on November 23, 2009, 07:12:29 PM
Oh yes.. the to do list.
As for the hay burner, treadmill attached to a generator sounds useful.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: djh82uk on November 23, 2009, 09:09:26 PM
He he, perhaps I could use it to run my lathe, should double my Spindle power to 1HP :)

DJH
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on November 24, 2009, 12:36:03 PM
Steel isn't too bad to work.... I use a fair bit of stainless and that kind of destroyed a few quids worth of tooling until I got my head round it.

Destroyed 3 drill bits a couple of months ago.... So I'm certainly still learning!

What kind of tooling do you use?


Horses!!!! Arn't they for foreign cuisine? Don't know why the laydees love em so much?.... Kinda chewy! 


Project lists...... I've made about a dozen, part made much of what is on them and then made another list  :bang:  I think I need focus?!?!




Enjoy your swarf making  :thumbup:






Ralph.
 
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: djh82uk on November 24, 2009, 01:30:39 PM
Thanks for the offer bogs, although Im afraid I live in South Wales.

Ralph I know what you mean regarding focus i start working on something and then think of something better to make :S

Mostly I want to have a go at IC engines tho.

Tooling wise, for the mill I have a mix of Carbide end mills, slot drills, ball end mills etc and for the lathe I have a mix of carbide tipped, brazed tct & HSS.

Tho have just ordered a load of HSS end mills to try out (they were cheap)
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: bogstandard on November 24, 2009, 03:14:25 PM
Not to worry.

I found a place to get it from on ebay, but if you email me with your requirements, I will see what can be done.


John
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: djh82uk on November 24, 2009, 07:44:20 PM
Well I don't actually have any plans, I was going to base it on the below engine:

http://www.stirlingengine.co.uk/ks90-blue-low-temperature-stirling-engine-1-p.asp


From which I guestimate it needs an ID of 70mm & a height of 17mm

Thanks

DJH
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on November 24, 2009, 07:57:42 PM
Quote
Tooling wise, for the mill I have a mix of Carbide end mills, slot drills, ball end mills etc and for the lathe I have a mix of carbide tipped, brazed tct & HSS.

Tho have just ordered a load of HSS end mills to try out (they were cheap)


With that collection you should have no trouble with steel..... Take it easy and it'll all come together  :thumbup:


Good luck with the Stirling..... I still haven't found the bottle to have a go!!!  :)





Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: kvom on January 07, 2010, 06:42:27 PM
Today I decided to make a lathe arbor for a polishing mop and start to learn the technique.  The arbor is pretty simple.  Started with a 6" piece of 2" diameter 6061 rod.  Turned one end down to 1" diameter for 1.5" length.  On the other end I drilled and tapped for a length of 1/2-13 threaded rod.  The mops that I have have 1/2" holes, so I put one over the rod, add a 2" diameter washer and a nut from my mill camp kit, and it's ready to go.  I am using this with a collet chuck (for safety), hence the 1" diameter for mounting in a 5C collet.  With the mop about 5" from the collet nose and the nose itself several inches long, I have a pretty good space for keeping the hands clear and also for maneuvering larger parts.

I tried it a bit on some aluminum using the black compound, but I knew I needed to come back in the house and review both the video and the Caswell web page.  I'll be blinging on the beam engine parts first.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Divided he ad on January 07, 2010, 08:30:40 PM
Good stuff  :thumbup:



I  run my mops at 1800Rpm now, cause I'm comfortable with that.  Just be careful.... If you slacken your grip or put a sharp (E.G. 90 deg) edge to the mop too quickly It won't half take it off you and launch it  :bugeye:



Pic's of the results will no doubt turn up on your engine build posts? I look forward to hearing/seeing how you get on.





Ralph.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: kvom on January 07, 2010, 10:14:16 PM
For a preliminary discover:, I need to sand off most of the tool marks before going to the lathe.  So lots of work there.  Given that SFM on the mop is supposed to be 3600 SFM, I turned the lathe up to 2400 RPM.  Tomorrow I'll see what results I get on brass with the first mop/abarasive.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: kvom on January 08, 2010, 03:46:58 PM
Here's a pic of my arbor on the lathe:

(http://www.pbase.com/kvom/image/120911655/medium.jpg)

I did some trial runs on aluminum and brass parts, after filing and sanding.  The abrasives I have on hand are the 180/240/360 set of aluminum oxide "tape", plus the purple Scotchbrite that I think is around 600.  My conclusion is that I need a coarser grade to remove the endmill marks, and also a finer grade before using the buffer.
Title: Re: Polishing technique.... well it works!
Post by: Artie on March 03, 2010, 04:11:47 PM
Thanks for the offer bogs, although Im afraid I live in South Wales.

Hi DJH, I know this post was some time ago, just wanted to say Gday. You're in South Wales correct? That would be old South Wales right? You see im in New South Wales..... only my South Wales is in another country....

It seems when our British forebears colonised the wonderful rock known as Australia.. they got homesick or at least some wag from South Wales did..... hence this state is NEW South Wales.....

Only... gets a damn sight hotter and no where near as cold.......  :)

Cheers Artie (yes I know....worthless post... again....)