First Post

[LarryS]

Hi everybody. I'm a definitely a newbie at this. I have an Atlas mini-mill purchased from a friend years ago as I knew even back there I wanted to learn how to make stuff. Procured a Grizzly 9X19 lathe in 2002 and have had lots of fun turning metal into chips without making anything in particular. I found this site a few weeks ago and started working on the E Z engine last weekend. I've already managed to break a tap in a part. I found the discussions on use of Alum and plan to try find some this week. With three kids in college, I don't get much free time from work to play with my toys. I know I will learn alot from this site. The one tool I have discovered that I need the most is patience.

Larry

 

[b.lindsey]

Welcome Larry. Please take some pictures as you go along and share them with the group...we love pictures!!

Bill

 

[black85vette]

Welcome. wEc1

If you have problems or questions post them here to get some help. Aluminum can be a pain to tap. Some of it is real gummy and hard to work with. You can drill the hole to a 50% thread rather than 75% and I have found that pulling the tap out and brushing off all the chips every time it starts to feel like it is binding can prevent problems. Reverse the tap every 1/4 to 1/2 turn to break the chips and use plenty of cutting lube.

Post some pictures and let us see what you are doing.

 

[LarryS]

I will try to conquer my lack of digital knowledge and try to post some pictures as I go. My daughter gave me a digital camera but I still prefer the Canon 35mm virtually all manual camera I got 30+ years ago. My biggest problem is I only get a few hours every week or so to work on my projects.

I've tapped lots of steel over the years, but this was my first attempt in aluminum and with a small tap like 4-40. The tap handle I was using was too big for the little 4-40 tap and I probably applied too much torque. Like I said before, the tool I need the most is patience.

Larry

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Welcome to the forum Larry.
Don't worry about how long it takes...
They say getting there is half the fun...for me...it's most of the fun.

 

[Maryak]

Larry,

Welcome to our forum. wEc1

Best Regards
Bob

 

[rake60]

Welcome to HMEM Larry.

Rick

 

[BigBore]

Welcome, Larry. As a fellow neophyte, I can assure you these people will graciously answer any and all of your questions. It makes no difference how you categorize the question. (stupid/obvious/not worth their time/silly) So jump in any time....and have a good time.

Ed

 

[Tin Falcon]

welcome Larry
Tin