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Zee, just get a cheap 1/4" router and a slab of 1/2" or thicker, MDF. Make a router table! Screw or clamp (c'mon, you're a machinist) the router to the bottom of the MDF and chuck the largest bit you have. Plunge said bit through the MDF, turn over, instant router table ready to clamp on bench...

Try these ;) http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1320 I've been dealing with this mob for a while now, never let me down and postage is free. Those little torches are the equal, or better, of any "micro torch" I've used, including the one in the OP. My last order included a dozen of...

Carl, glad to see you got it sorted. Nothing like a drop of C2H5OH to steady the hands :D And gin is just vodka contaminated with juniper berries! :P edit to add; if you want to grind carbide, you need a silicon carbide wheel. Usually green, but check the label. Rgds, Lin

What you need is the cheap plastic practice balls. My BIL was a 3 handicapper :) He'd hit 3-400 in an afternoon.

Just a tip re indexing: cheap circular saw blades are accurate enough for a job like that. If you can find one with the right number of teeth, or a multiple, job done :) Just set up some sort of arbour and a click stop (bit of springy steel) Rgds, Lin

MOe, as regards cut-off wheels, INOX is not a recommendation, just a brand name. I know stainless steel is often called INOX in europe, but any cut-off wheel will do. I recommend however, that you stick to well known brands and use the 1MM wheels. I've cut and welded quite a lot of SS, mainly...

wlindiii, agreed, re coolant I've always machined CI dry, with sharp HSS tooling. Otherwise, I've never had a problem except for the dirt. One tip is to put a NIB magnet inside a plastic bag on the ways or saddle under the tool. The magnet grabs most of the the swarf before it spreads too far...

I've been machining stainless of several flavours for years, on a Jet 9 x 20. Couple of tips, flood suds and HSS. I grind all my own tools, it's easy, no top rake for stainless! IE, leave the top of the tool square, leaves a nice finish. Minimum cuts should be 0.005" You can sneak up on it...

To add to what I've said elsewhere ;) Invest in an angle grinder. mystery (rusty) metal is not that bad. Oxides, carbides and nitrides are HARD! Skim them off with an angle grinder. A flap disc is often the safest/easiest way to do this. Have fun, stay safe and don't destroy your tooling on...

Ant, as far as I've worked CI, the only "cleanliness" issue is possible sand inclusions from casting. Fettle the material with an angle grinder before introducing to to your machine shop and you should be ok. The cleanliness relates to graphite in the iron (search on "SG cast iron", spheroidal...

Just to further muddy the waters, try a search on "electropolishing" frinstance http://www.techplate.com/electropolish.htm Gotta try that soon. Of course, this is for appearance, not fit. Maybe after I finish the digital controller for the EDM :D Rgds, Lin

I'm not sure they're all "stainless". Most of what I've liberated from defunct printers, machines beautifully, but doesn't have much corrosion resistance. To be fair, I do live on the waterfront. I find that any stock I keep in the workshop has to be kept in greased paper or surface pitting soon...

Better still, you could just get out there more often, use it and wipe it with an oily rag ;D

Zee, I guess by your moniker, you are a programmer. Bite the bullet, just like your first steps in writing code. (BASIC FORTRAN,COBOL, Pascal, C.........?) Get yourself some HSS (high speed steel) of a convenient size for your toolpost. If you don't already have one, get a cheap 6" bench...

just a thought re butchering butane fittings. ;) I've dealt with this outfit for a while, and found them reliable, prompt and the postage free. (usual disclaimer) Have a look at some of the butane gadgets on this page. http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.809 Regards, Lin

I don't know if it's been posted here, but I found this site while "researching" ;) Well executed animations and clear explanations. http://www.animatedengines.com/ Rgds, Lin

Kludge, sorry if this is OT on the thread, but I tried to PM you and no joy, hope you aint down the gurgler mate. I'll try this way and beg the indulgence of members and moderators. Kludge, if this msg gets to you, please let me know, the PM setup on this board is a little, errrr..... :) over...

Try your friendly neighbourhood dentist :D The rubber-abrasive tools they use for polishing teeth are great. You also get all kinds of carbides and diamonds. They are pretty much use once and toss em, in the dental trade. It may help if you offer a few bucks to cover costs (they will autoclave...

I knew I had it bookmarked somewhere, only took me an hour to find :) http://www.openrp.com/

I have heard (from one who should know, on another site) that fortal is 7075. Maybe worth deeper googling? ;)