First threaded pill on new lathe for Vortex KC-1

[Nitroz]

Well this is my first threading operation on my new lathe and I am pleased how it came out.

This light will be bored to use 1, 18350 and most likely have a triple of some type installed. I would have made it out of copper but I did not have some with a large enough diameter, and I didn't know how it would turn out so I went with aluminum for my first go. Of course this is still a work in progress but I was excited that I made this work.

The orignial Vortex light was a horrible design but once I am finished this will be a nice light. Here's some photos for you guys.

 

[Offgridled]

Very nice . Great success on first time. Think of the endless things you can achieve

 

[Nitroz]

Thanks! Now if I don't get into my own way.

 

[Offgridled]

Thanks! Now if I don't get into my own way.

I'm sure you'll find a way out practice makes perfect and your on your way!

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Looking forward to seeing future projects; looks like a good start.

 

[Nitroz]

Looking forward to seeing future projects; looks like a good start.

Thanks! I have a plan in the future for a light that I will call, "The brass monkey".

 

[DrafterDan]

That is a great start! One suggestion, chatter in threads means too fast feed speed, or trying to cut too much material in any one pass (they are pretty much the same thing, actually). I always take my time with threading, and finish off with a .002-ish finish pass to clean things up. You'll like how the threads feel after that.

I buggered up many sample pieces before I felt comfortable enough to try on an actual part.

~D

 

[Nitroz]

That is a great start! One suggestion, chatter in threads means too fast feed speed, or trying to cut too much material in any one pass (they are pretty much the same thing, actually). I always take my time with threading, and finish off with a .002-ish finish pass to clean things up. You'll like how the threads feel after that.

I buggered up many sample pieces before I felt comfortable enough to try on an actual part.

~D

Thanks for the tip!

I definitley won't be cutting threads at high speeds for awhile. I just run a spring pass or two at the end and it worked pretty well.

I still have much to learn, especially the best tool for specific jobs. I just bought a bunch of already ground HSS tools from Ebay and don't know what some of them are used for.

 

[TexasLumens]

You're getting there. Use some good tapping / threading oil and multiple light passes. Learn to look at threading as a near surgical procedure. Easy does it. Dan.

 

[precisionworks]

Take a look at the tools Curtis sells, especially the laydown threading tool: http://latheinserts.com/1-2-SHANK-LATHE-TOOLING_c165.htm

 

[Nitroz]

Take a look at the tools Curtis sells, especially the laydown threading tool: http://latheinserts.com/1-2-SHANK-LATHE-TOOLING_c165.htm

Thanks for the link! I will be picking this up soon. It's nice to see that they are right next door to me in Alabama.

 

[Offgridled]

Thanks for the link! I will be picking this up soon. It's nice to see that they are right next door to me in Alabama.

That's very cool and a great heads up from PW.

 

[mcbrat]

:twothumbs

 

[Prayforme]

HSS is the way to go starting out, once you get the hang of threading i would then upgrade to carbide inserts
When i first started threading on the lathe i blew through so many sides of carbide inserts, it wasn't until i played with hss and my own grinds did i truly understand and learn how to cut threads like a pro

 

[precisionworks]

A few thoughts on threading ...

Use thread cutting oil appropriate for the material.

Set the compound anywhere between 25° and 29 1/2° (or more than 25 & less than 30).

Figure out an infeed formula that you can remember. On easily machined materials (aluminum, brass, etc.) I go in the following percentage of total depth 50/25/12/6/3/1. The deeper the cut the greater the contact between tool & work so every cut should be a smaller percentage. On difficult materials I use 25/20/15/10/5/3/2/1. YMMV

Cut a runout groove using a thin parting tool or a grooving tool. When the toolpoint lands in the groove immediately disengage feed & retract the tool. Threading to a shoulder is easy ... on a CNC lathe :devil:

Invest in a decent fish tail tool like like the Starrett C391. The thread depth chart on the back side of the tool means you don't need to grab Machinery's Handbook every time a thread is cut. Common threads/inch are shown on the gage (14ths, 20ths, 24ths and 32nds of an inch) so you may not have to find a thread pitch tool to figure out a threaded part.

Invest in a copy of Machinery's Handbook, it's at least a million times better than Google for most operations in the shop. Be careful with YouTube, some of the dumbest & most dangerous machining setups are just a click away.