Reman
Member
- Messages
- 250
- Location
- Bristol, UK.
I've been looking for a cheap vertical milling slide to use on my lathe for ages now, But it seems lots of other people out there are also looking, so they don't stay "Cheap" on Ebay by the end of bidding.
It's just an idea at the minute (As I don't have a milling machine I'd have to get someone else to make it), But I'm thinking that for lightweight milling on a lathe it should be possible (As long as the dove tail on your QCTP can be mounted to overhang the side of the cross slide) to make a kind of pin vice with a dovetail on the back that slots into the quick change tool holder. With a reasonably stout height adjustment screw it could be positioned for the cut and locked with the usual tool holder lock. The work may be less well supported at the ends of the travel, But in theory that doesn't matter, Because where the actual cuttings going on will always be directly against the QCTP.
Now it's crossed my mind it seems an obvious idea, But it also seems TOO obvious. After all, the idea's just like a really long tool holder with a work clamping jaw. So why doesn't every mini lathe come with one out of the box? It would add a huge amount of functionality for minimal cost.
I must be missing something....... What's the problem I'm not seeing?
It's just an idea at the minute (As I don't have a milling machine I'd have to get someone else to make it), But I'm thinking that for lightweight milling on a lathe it should be possible (As long as the dove tail on your QCTP can be mounted to overhang the side of the cross slide) to make a kind of pin vice with a dovetail on the back that slots into the quick change tool holder. With a reasonably stout height adjustment screw it could be positioned for the cut and locked with the usual tool holder lock. The work may be less well supported at the ends of the travel, But in theory that doesn't matter, Because where the actual cuttings going on will always be directly against the QCTP.
Now it's crossed my mind it seems an obvious idea, But it also seems TOO obvious. After all, the idea's just like a really long tool holder with a work clamping jaw. So why doesn't every mini lathe come with one out of the box? It would add a huge amount of functionality for minimal cost.
I must be missing something....... What's the problem I'm not seeing?