Recent Lathe Work

Outside of some recent house renovation tasks and holidays, I've been spending a substantial amount of time on my metal lathe learning, learning, trashing some tooling, learning... and then actually making some useful items.

It doesn't seem like I've got a lot done lately, however I've managed to make some small tools (all for use on the lathe) which I need in the future and a few I have already used.

• Tailstock die holder - used to hold a die in the tailstock for creating a thread 

• Bump Lathe Centering Tool - (uses a skateboard bearing) for bumping any round stock that is out of alignment into the axis of the spindle.
• Center indicator - aligning cutting tools to the spindle centerline
• Spring loaded tap follower - keeps taps aligned with hole when tapping a thread

• Split nuts - I'm not actually sure if that's what they're called but they are used to securely clamp any bolt in the chuck to allow me to machine down the head or trim the thread length. Made from hex steel, I made a set of 19 nuts (M4 to M12; 1/4" to 1/2"), tapped the threads and cut a split in the nut so the nut can clamp down on the bolt thread when the chuck is tightened. I stamped each nut with the thread size and made a quick box to store them neatly