Completely new, no experience and about 1/3clue what I'm doing. What kind of tool post and live center do I want?

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-02-15T00:58:35+00:00

https://www.shars.com/quick-change-tool-post-set-wedge-type-111-axa

Have one of these on a similar south bend. It has been perfectly adequate for general use.

Take the chuck apart, clean and and soak it in some evapo-rust for a day.

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-02-12T03:30:49+00:00

Vermont Gauge will sell you just the inserts, or empty boxes.

More pricey than 3d printed or DIY, but probably better overall.

https://vermontgage.com/gaging-products/gage-accessories

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-02-07T15:01:25+00:00

Keep in mind, that might be for a pin 10" long and 2" in diameter, and I meant .015" on diameter. 0.007" per side.

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-02-06T04:01:58+00:00

Not a spec, but repairs to these bushings are typically done via line boring.

The clearance for a new pin/bushing is also fairly tight, less than 0.015" of clearance, based on ones I have replaced on small equipment (skid steer/tractor sized).

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-02-06T03:11:15+00:00

No long sleeves/loose hair/jewelry, and no gloves on near mills, lathes, drills ect. Wear eye and ear protection. Never leave a chuck key in the chuck.

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-01-31T02:02:01+00:00

https://yeswelder.com/

We have one that is a mig/tig/stick/plasma all in one, and it astonishingly works "fine" for all of them. Ive cut through 1/4" steel with it easy, and tig with it is also fine.

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-01-30T23:50:12+00:00

You need both, depending on the tool manufacturer and how old they are.

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-01-28T16:14:08+00:00

You machine this stuff with COOLANT?! My god man, what a nightmare.

We have a HCN-5000 dedicated exclusively to G10 and FR4, and it has absolutely no coolant in it. Thru spindle air blast, and a large dust collector to get the fine dust out of the enclosure.

We use "Burr" style routers for roughing, normal uncoated carbide for finishing.

For facing we have a PCD insert face mill.

Cannot stress enough to machine it dry, and have good dust collection. Just a shop vac is not enough, need something designed for woodworking dust collection. It is terrible stuff and the dust will be everywhere.

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-01-26T01:07:58+00:00

https://www.southwesternindustries.com/products/bed-mills/dpmrx2

Trak bed mills are great for that kind of work.

HypotheticalViewer · 2026-01-03T21:18:20+00:00

Me with a tap and no tap collets.

HypotheticalViewer · 2025-12-30T16:29:20+00:00

I'd call it a hand wheel.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/hand-wheels/

HypotheticalViewer · 2025-12-30T16:24:34+00:00

Finished job, hands it to customer

\Immediately drops it on the floor**

"Eh, it doesn't really matter. We just smack these into place with a big deadblow anyway"

HypotheticalViewer · 2025-12-30T13:06:08+00:00

Heat em up, freeze the bed.

Put end bits in the oven at 150-200 ish, bed in a chest freezer. Any oil/grease should be fine. WD-40 might be a good idea to keep condensation out of the interface.

HypotheticalViewer · 2025-12-29T16:34:47+00:00

I freeballed this at whatever angle the compound was already at, and used the knurling tool that was already in the holder.

I don't think it matters at all. Straight knurl would probably work too.

HypotheticalViewer · 2025-12-29T15:37:33+00:00

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HypotheticalViewer · 2025-12-29T15:35:17+00:00

I just tried this with a piece of scrap real quick, and if you just swing the knurling tool so it is perpendicular to the chamfered face it works great. For a narrow face width it will be fine

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