Let's Talk! About anything.

If that’s where the people are then that’s where I’ll try to promote the forum. Worth a shot

So here's my mill painted and almost fully assembled. I'm working on the bushing to put the belt drive together. It's skidded over to where i plan to keep it and i put a cheap, but bright, led light over it. Now that it's together i realize the running surfaces are in far better shape than the bridgeport's.


I've got a new china 4" milling vise on it and a couple cutters. I also painted the raised letters at the bottom of the casting in white. I like how those turned out.


I also bought a 3 jaw chuck for my lathe, and made a back plate for it. I aught to take it apart and clean it, it would help runout a bit. However, three jaws are not so much for accuracy as they are ease of setup. So I'm in no big hurry.

What’s more accurate than a 3 jaw?

A 4 jaw.

That seems way harder to get centered but I’ve only used a 3 jaw

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

That seems way harder to get centered but I’ve only used a 3 jaw

Same.......I miss machine shop I havent gotten to do anything in that class yet this year. What a waste, I'm not sure if I'll even be able to get my 4 year certificate thing, I know the certificate doesn't mean anything unless I go back after I graduate for another year or two but still it would mean alot to me since its something I really enjoy doing.

Honestly I'd be more proud of that then I would be getting my diploma.

Once you get the hang of the 4 jaw it's not so bad. Just gotta be handy with it and the indicator.

I mean either of you guys are welcome to come and use my stuff, lol.

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

Once you get the hang of the 4 jaw it's not so bad. Just gotta be handy with it and the indicator.

I mean either of you guys are welcome to come and use my stuff, lol.

Heck I'll take you up on that!

@RichieRichOverdrive

Where did you get your 3 jaw chuck and how much was it? I feel like I would use my lathe more if I didn't have to fool with centering as much.

murphyslaw wrote:

@RichieRichOverdrive

Where did you get your 3 jaw chuck and how much was it? I feel like I would use my lathe more if I didn't have to fool with centering as much.

Facebook marketplace. It's used. Someone had it listed for like $25. It came out to 40 something with shipping. It's not great compared to modern 3 jaws but if I'm just doing non critical stuff or pieces in one operation it's ok. I've seen 3 jaw chucks of the same size new on eBay for like $140.

For the 4 jaw i keep my indicator within arms reach. I can have something dialed in within a thou in just a second with it. Once you get to where you can get the piece close by eye quickly, using the indicator to bring it in that last bit is rarely an issue.

I don't even fool with those chucks, where you have to center the part. I never had work to do for them. I bought an 8 inch self centering chuck, brand new cheap Chinese made for $100. Came with all the keys and hardware for it also.

I'm going to close up this thread and start a new one....

Cheers!