Revision Date: Summer 2024

 

Training Objectives:

• Using a center drill
• Live center set up
• Setting up cutting tools with proper clearance
• +/- .005" tolerance machining 

         Find the aluminum round stock (1.000" diameter +/- .015") and cut it to 6-1/8” long using the cutoff saw.

         Deburr both ends of the stock using a belt sander or file.

         Load the right hand cutting tool.  Measure and record the diameter of the stock. Hold the stock in a 3-jaw or 6-jaw chuck allowing no more than 1-1/2” extending beyond the chuck jaws.

         Machine approximately .010" off the face of the work piece to clean it up. Check the machined face for a clean finish. Repeat if saw marks remain, deburr the sharp edge using file. 

      Insert a drill chuck into the tailstock and load a  #4 center drill.  Slowly extend the center drill until the tip is lightly touching the end of the part. Zero the readout on the tailstock. Start the spindle and peck drill to .250" deep. 

         Loosen the chuck and clamp the part so that 4-1/2" extends from the front of the jaws. 

      Use a 5mm Allen wrench to loosen the (4) set screws on the cutting tool holder. Extend the cutting tool out of the tool holder until the tip of the cutting tool is set approximately 2" from the front of the holder. Tighten the set screws firmly.

      Insert the narrow tipped live center in the tailstock. Ensure there is no interference between the cutting tool and live center and move the cutting tool past the end of the work piece in the Z-axis approximately .250".

      Move the cutting tool in the X-axis until the tip of the cutting tool is approximately .250" from the center of the part. 

      Carefully move the tailstock towards the chuck until the tailstock is lightly touching the Z-axis carriage and lock the tailstock in place. Carefully move the tailstock quill (do not hit the cutting tool with the live center) until the live center engages with the taper created by the center drill.

      Lock the tailstock quill in place. Manually spin the chuck and check to see that the live center rotates along with the part.

WARNING: Do not turn on the spindle until the live center is properly engaged in the end of the part. 

Always ensure that the live center is engaged and spinning when machining.

        Carefully move the cutting tool in the Z-axis until it lightly touches the end of the machined face of the part then zero the Z-axis readout. Move the X-axis towards the operator.

     Turn on the lathe spindle and lightly touch the tip of the cutting tool on the O.D. Set the X-axis digital readout to the diameter of the stock measured earlier. Move the Z-axis so the cutting tool is clear of the work piece and move the X-axis to .970". 

     Machine a roughing cut, measure and verify the diameter on the D.R.O. Continue machining the .750" diameter using roughing cuts leaving .010" stock for a finishing cut on both the diameter and length. Deburr the sharp edges.

        Loosen the chuck and insert the largest diameter into the lathe chuck and clamp it with approximately 1" protruding from the chuck jaws.

        Turn on the spindle and machine a roughing pass on the end of the part. Retract the X-axis. Remove the work piece, measure and record the length.

     Clamp the largest diameter of the work piece with approximately 1" protruding from the chuck jaws. Move the cutting tool and lightly touch the face of the part with the tip of the tool.

     Enter the length of the part into the Z-axis readout. Machine the part to length and zero the Z-axis. Move the cutting tool slightly away from the faced edge.

     Turn on the spindle and machine the .375" diameter and deburr the sharp edges

   . Remove the part and reset the cutting tool in the tool holder so the back edge of the tool is flush with the back of the tool holder and tighten the (4) set screws firmly.

     Clean the part and work space before having pro staff check your part.