Artistry in brass machining

urbite · December 25, 2016, 6:43pm

Wow, is this guy an artiste in machining brass! Who’s going to teach the class on building this clock?

jkraemer · December 25, 2016, 7:20pm

Beautiful craftsmanship!

coloneldan · December 25, 2016, 9:55pm

This is an amazing artist at work. How gratifying it must be to make such a beautiful thing as this clock. @Tapper made a beautiful clock on the CNC I think is amazing, too. Thanks for sharing the video!

David_Steele · January 1, 2017, 5:31am

The Clickspring guy has a blog where he mentions that he uses a Sherline lathe for smaller parts and a Sieg SC4 lathe for larger parts: http://www.clickspringprojects.com/blog/which-lathe-should-i-buy

http://sherline.com/sherline-benchtop-precision-lathes/

Photomancer · January 1, 2017, 7:12am

Here’s what the cost would be for a Sherline Mill and Lathe with a lot of accessories to allow various tasks.

Total $3,784.80

MathewBusby · January 1, 2017, 3:55pm

I don’t have any experience with Sherline, but they don’t look like they’d withstand the, ahem, “usage patterns” we see at the space.

John_Marlow · January 1, 2017, 7:22pm

Maybe yes, maybe no.

They are robust machines and will stand fairly tough machining. The biggest issue (IMO) would be people using them for jobs heavier than intended because either they are afraid of the larger machines or because the larger machines are busy.

MathewBusby · January 1, 2017, 7:55pm

Am I correct in thinking those are also just extruded aluminum channel for the axes?

Are they rigid enough to machine steel? Can you take full depth passes?

What sort of machines are used in production environments for small parts?

Photomancer · January 1, 2017, 8:13pm

These machines are for working on small items and parts. When you say “full depth passes” what exactly are you thinking in terms of size and material removal? If you mean take out 2" deep by 1/4" pass in steel at once, the answer is no. (probably couldn’t do that on the Bridgeport or HAAS because mill cutter would snap or burn).

The machines would have material size limitations, and some limitations as to types: like no hardened tool steel.

The major advantage of machines of this type is they can handle small detailed work. The fixturing devices and chucks can properly hold these with damaging them. Once something gets to a certain size of smallness, the chucks and fixturing clamps on the engine lathe and mills we have can’t hold the material at all or damages it.

wandrson · January 1, 2017, 8:29pm

I own the machines in question, and have machined tool steel with no problem. I also know people who have machined titanium and stainless with them.

The question of ‘full depth’ is more complicated, since that is driven not by the material but the power of the machine itself. I will say that I have personally machined 50 thousandth with no issue, and have seen others do twice that.

But the real issue is that these machines are designed to allow the machining of smaller pieces then the larger machines (where real hogging of metal) should occur. A capability that DMS does not currently have.

I brought my Sherline in to finish the machining of the ring component of the spindle sander precisely because I needed a precision that was much more difficult with the Colchester and its extensive wear.

nicksilva · January 9, 2017, 3:14pm

I personally think the sherline is good but too small for our needs. I personally would be more in favor of one of the 3in1 combos like this. they run about $2k and there is one for sale in Ft.Worth right now for $1800.
I wish I had the money for it, I’d snag it.:

David_Steele · January 9, 2017, 6:15pm

I will say that I have personally machined 50 thousandth with no issue, and have seen others do twice that.

.050" or .005"?

If you can bring your Sherline to the meeting, I’ll bring in a 7" X 12" so members can compare the two. Perhaps we could turn some steel and aluminum also?

wandrson · January 9, 2017, 6:16pm

Fifty thousandths. The former in other words.