Monitor Steam Engine

[bruedney]

I use a 1/8'' double ended stub (or spot) drill now after breaking small centre drill tips

[zeeprogrammer]

I'm getting the impression the spot drill seems to be the way to go.

But I'm still wondering why (other than breaking a tip does not seem to be uncommon).

[yogi]

You will find a lot of opinion on this, I guess. So, I'll add mine to the pile...
To spot a center punch, I use a center drill. Short, rigid, and the small tip help with visibility to line up with the center punch. I have never had a tip break off on me. I use 90 degree spot drills on the CNC and spot deep enough to also chamfer the hole.
Anyway, I don't think it makes a huge difference what you use as drill. Make sure the center punch is accurate, by checking it with a magnifying glass.

I hope that helps. 

[10KPete]

It has been my experience that breaking the ends off of comb.drillc/sinks is caused by pushing them too hard with too little
cutting oil and not enough clearing of chips (pecking). That all assumes the drill is properly guided in line with the proposed hole!

If you treat them like a small drill bit, which the end is, less troubles will issue. They need to be properly sharp too!

Pete

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks all.

I finished drilling/tapping the cylinder again. Both ends so they would match.
Assembled the covers and put into the lathe to turn the whole thing down a bit and make it look better.
(Unfortunately I got a fat thumbprint in the picture.  )
The cover at the headstock has 3 screws in so I could fit the chuck around it.



The diameter is supposed to 2.25". I bought 2.25" round so I knew it would end up a tad smaller.
It ended up at about 2.2. That should be okay if I take it into account for the steam chest and mounting to the bottom plate.

I still have to do the other cylinder. Hopefully...I can get it to 2.2" as well. If it goes more, then this cylinder will have to be turned down some more.

After some measurements I determined that the diameter, along which the holes were drilled, is about .01 shy along on the radius. Maybe a tad more.
The studs (SHCS for now) seem kind of close to the outer hub. So the nuts may be a problem.

I'm just glad I got some machine time in. 

[joe d]

Looking good now, Zee. 

If the nuts turn out to be too big, get some the next size down, drill them out and tap them to fit your studs...

As to Centre Drills and spot drills, I have some of each, it usually is a question of which comes to hand first
that controls which I use...  I will sadly admit that I do have a number of the missing the little end through
pushing them too  hard...

Joe

[crueby]

Nice save on the cylinder! The thumbprint just proves its yours.

I had same issue on hub at first on mine, chucked it up again and turned it down slightly so the hex bolt heads would clear. That surface is not critical so no biggie.

[Don1966]

Looking good Zee and glad you finally got some shop time.........

Don

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks guys.
Next job will be to finish the covers that take the gland.

[yogi]

Looking good Zee! 
It's staring to come together.

[b.lindsey]

Nice recovery Zee. You can be happy with that!

Bill

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks Yogi and Bill.
Yeah I'm happy so far.
Last tapped hole was the scariest. Usually something bad happens at the last operation.
But it's not the last is it?
Oh no.

Mounted a cover on the lathe to drill and tap the 1/2-40...checked that it was centered.
Nope. Not going to drill that. I have too many problems with larger drills. (Something to work on.)

Decided to bore it. That went better than I'd hope.

But the tool post finally gave out. 

A little help from Don and I drilled/tapped the handle hole a bit larger.
All I had was 1/4-20. Works okay. Need to make a slightly longer handle.
Need the lathe for that. But...not finished with the cover.

Time to tap the 1/2-40".  No holder.

So my questions...

When shopping for a tap holder (and I mean the T type or such so I can manually turn it)...I see things like 1/4 to 1/2".
But that doesn't tell me (I think) that the tap will fit.

Are the holding ends of tap 'standard'?
The holding end of the tap is a square about .275.

I'm thinking of this...will that do? I assume the T can slide.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=318-0020&PMPXNO=942333&PARTPG=INLMK32

Thanks.

In the meantime...I'll see what I can do on the mill.

[Don1966]

The 1/4 to 1/2 is the size of the tap square Zee. That's a pretty good range but they do make smaller T handles. A quick tap handle is a pair if vise grips if you have a tap guide.
Amazon has a set of them in different sizes.....http://www.amazon.com/Kaufhof-ATW-0053-T-Handle-Wrench-Solid/dp/B003GKJYKI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1455294143&sr=8-5&keywords=T+tap+handles

Don

[crueby]

There are two types of t handle tap holders I've seen, the ones likke you show with round collets, other type grip in the square shank end like this one
http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/05041660

My preference is the square shank style, fit a wider ranges and dont slip.

[zeeprogrammer]

The 1/4 to 1/2 is the size of the tap square Zee. That's a pretty good range but they do make smaller T handles. A quick tap handle is a pair if vise grips if you have a tap guide.

Ah...it's the shank size. Good to know.
The one I have is about .275 so that range would work.
I have no tap guide and I'm not good enough to use vise grips. I fear I wouldn't keep things straight.

There are two types of t handle tap holders I've seen, the ones likke you show with round collets, other type grip in the square shank end like this one
My preference is the square shank style, fit a wider ranges and dont slip.

I couldn't tell the one I'd shown was round. I was looking for square.

Thinking this over, along with what you all have said...I realize I need a way to hold it.
I see that some have a dimple in the end against which I can place the tailstock (with a center).

But I found this one. Looks like it would do. No?

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=5810007&PMAKA=325-4922

I have to place an order for some 1/8" end mills anyway.
Gotta think what else I want need.