T&C Grinder - Protection of Slides

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

jontom_1uk@hotmail.com - 29 May 2006 13:50 GMT

I have been playing for a while with an old lathe (XL I think) to try
and produce a sort of T&C Grinder. Before I actually "ruin" the lathe
can anyone tell me how important it is to provide protection for the
slides. I can imagine that in industry where a machine would work for a
living it is vital but for me, sharpening a few cutters a week, is it
absolutely necessary? If I clean up regularly am I likely to get a
reasonable life from my bits of scrap or will it be worn out quicker
than I can build it.

Regards

Keith

Reply to this Message

Andrew Mawson - 29 May 2006 22:31 GMT

> I have been playing for a while with an old lathe (XL I think) to try
> and produce a sort of T&C Grinder. Before I actually "ruin" the lathe
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Keith

Keith,

Most small t&c grinders have a relatively small table travel, and
table extensions so that the slide way is not exposed. The problem is
that if you lubricate the slide, the grinding dust sticks and forms a
nice paste, and even if you don't lubricate, the carborundum or
aloxite particles can embed themselves in cast iron to form a quite
efficient lap !

You won't eliminate the problem, but you can reduce it by making
suitable covers and having powerful dust extraction at the point of
grinding.

AWEM

Reply to this Message

jontom_1uk@hotmail.com - 31 May 2006 00:53 GMT

> Most small t&c grinders have a relatively small table travel, and
> table extensions so that the slide way is not exposed. The problem is
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> AWEM

Andrew, thanks I hadn't thought about extraction which should aleviate
the problem somewhat. I'll go for some basic slide covers, very little
oil and the old shop vac running flat out. Good point about forming a
"nice paste" so I will leave off the oiled felt wipers as well. I was
trying to get the "service life" to exceed the build time but at
current build progress it will have to run for several years without a
problem. I'm starting to think I should have put my hand in my pocket
instead. Has anyone built one of the simpler (MEW) published designs,
If so, does it work?

Best regards Keith

Reply to this Message

blueswarf - 31 May 2006 00:55 GMT

keith hi, i have done this t&c grinder project with an old lathe, pic's
at www.metalworking.piczo.com (first page) i found that it is
necessary to cover the ways, i did this with an old leather jacket cut
into a wide strip to cover the leadscrew and ways, (not shown on the
website photo's).
berore
[image: http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a333/billyboy_/tc.jpg]
after
[image: http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a333/billyboy_/tc2.jpg]

Signature

blueswarf

Reply to this Message

jontom_1uk@hotmail.com - 31 May 2006 21:14 GMT

> keith hi, i have done this t&c grinder project with an old lathe, pic's
> at www.metalworking.piczo.com (first page) i found that it is
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> --
> blueswarf

Hi, thanks for that. Yet again you have come up with a simple and very
sound idea that should do the trick. I don't know why I have to over
complicate everything particularly as it then becomes impossible to
build. Bit like my photography, put a good picture in front of me and I
can recognise it as such, put a superb view in front of my viewfinder
and I just can't see it.

Regards Keith

Reply to this Message

Model Forum / General / Models / May 2006

T&C Grinder - Protection of Slides