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Hi, Not the worlds best expert on Stirlings. But I would not be real enthused about using aluminum for the cylinder or piston. The heat expansion would be awful for this application I think. Usually, you want material that doesn't soak up heat for those parts. The one Stirling I have built, I...

Hi, There are a number of different tool holding systems for mill spindles these days. Which one is best? I have personal experience in using all of them but the Clarkson. Because it's very difficult to find in the US. No system is perfect, there are downsides to everything. R8s need...

Hi, Concentrated coolants are very often hazardous to you. But when you dilute it, it's perfectly fine. This is why on a commercial floor refractometers are used to check mix strength. But as a hobbyist, as long as you are close to the proper ratio, you should be good to go. Some people do...

Hi, Since you can't consult the author of the plans, you will need to determine just what is supposed to go into that slot and how it's supposed to fit first. But going by the print you show, I would ignore the the callout note and go by what was actually drawn and dimensioned. So we can...

Hi, Over the years I've found that making a kill is less important than the hunt itself. I still enjoy taking some game to eat because I enjoy the eating a lot. But it's the time spent outdoors and watching the joy my dogs get from hunting and the successful conclusion. Once a hunter, always a...

Hi, You are even farther from civilization then me bmac2. Deer hunting is done for the year, I can do a bit grouse hunting, if the weather isn't too miserable. And the water is still too soft to walk on just yet. But I get the itch to make chips and knowing I got a project that isn't...

Hi, As an old and retired Medic, I'm always up for a good trauma..... But you are a wee bit out of my old service area. A good reminder for all of us to be careful in how we dress.

Hi, Just a bit of whinging I guess. The Grandma and I have moved to our final home, (we hope), somewhere a bit north of Frostbite Falls Mn, but just a bit south of our northern neighbors in Canada. And I'm 300 miles from my shop and tools. I have a Jan Ridder Flame Licker sitting on my...

Hi, That's a pretty big bite to take starting out. But it's possible if you work hard at learning. And there would be help here for sure. Since you do have size restrictions, a 7x lathe sounds like it would be the ticket. They might not be glamorous, but many, many homeshop machinists do...

Hi, Couple of things that you might do. First, buy hot rolled material instead of cold rolled material. The cold roll/finish process is what puts the internal stresses into it. And hot rolled material has far less internal stress in it. Or buy stress relieved cold finish material, like say...

Hi, I think what most new people miss when looking for their first machine has little to do with brand names. And everything to do with knowing how to think about machining in general. First I see a lot of misconceptions about accuracy. Every home shop machinist/hobbyist envisions themselves...

Hi, Been many years since I owned one of those, got rid of it because I wasn't really using it. It's possible the gibs are loose and the cutting load is slowly building up until the screw and nut push it down with a thunk. But it should show poor finish also. It is also possible the screw is...

Hi, That brings back memories! Done that myself more than once.

Hi, Open bearings are readily available. And I think are pretty necessary for this engine. I ordered mine off of eBay. The 3mm ones were dirt cheap, .77¢ for 10pcs. The 10mm cost me a dollar for two.

Hi, Have you considered trying a screw like this one? http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/03042140 These are pretty common for heavy duty clamping on industrial lathe tools. Though it is 5/16-24UNF, there are 8mm-1.0 also. The biggest difficulty I see is the threads are righthanded...

Hi, Well, the the turtles might be all for that, but don't stop designing tools. There is nothing wrong with tangential holders. And if you want one, you almost need to make them yourself. And your latest bit holding setup is perhaps the best design I've seen so far. I like to make face mills...

Hi, You made some good working tools, that ain't no waste! I got my holders and inserts from here. http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-Turning-Tool--c-4289.html You can look through them to see what you may like. Unfortunately, the sale price I paid is over with now. Still, 12.10 English pounds...

Hi, Start with HSS. If you want really cheap, I find the M2Al HSS works pretty well in the home shop. It's not M42, but it is noticeably better than plain M2. Otherwise, look for Korean or former East European made tools. They tend to sell for a bit of a discount over more popular name brands...

Hi, Never said I was smart, just well trained..............:wall: Dale

Hi, I too have been reading this thread with some interest. Though I've yet to be tempted to make a tangential tool holder. I have always found it interesting that most people enjoy good success with the tool, there are those like you who just can't make them work. Through no fault of your own...