- Joined
- Feb 17, 2008
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On December 23 Santa showed up in the USPS truck with a new to me Tool Post Grinder. It is Dumore model 14 that was also known as the "Tom Thumb" back in the day when it was made. It's 40 or more years old, but that's OK because I have wanted one for about the same period of time. Other than the old fashioned rubber power cord that was cracked with age and a few places where some of the paint was a little thin, it was in excellent condition. After replacing the power cord and putting fresh oil in all the required places it was good to go. The newer models have permanently lubed bearings. Then a mount was made to fit my AXA QCTP so I would not have to remove the QCTP to use it.
While it will do external work, I wanted it to pre-finish small engine cylinders after boring and before lapping. This is mostly to save lapping time, but I also want to play with some hardened cylinders. For hardened cylinders I plan to harden them after boring but before lapping. This means more material being left before lapping.
The only problem is that for the depth of cylinders I want to grind, the smallest diameter that the nose will fit into is 1/2 inch with out excessive overhang on the mounted stone. So a few new spindle noses were machined up to allow me to get into 5/16 diameter cylinders. This should be fine as I don't plan to do anything smaller than 3/8 where I would need grinding.
I think Santa made a good choice as it will do what I want and Santa could not afford, or justify, a new one.
While it will do external work, I wanted it to pre-finish small engine cylinders after boring and before lapping. This is mostly to save lapping time, but I also want to play with some hardened cylinders. For hardened cylinders I plan to harden them after boring but before lapping. This means more material being left before lapping.
The only problem is that for the depth of cylinders I want to grind, the smallest diameter that the nose will fit into is 1/2 inch with out excessive overhang on the mounted stone. So a few new spindle noses were machined up to allow me to get into 5/16 diameter cylinders. This should be fine as I don't plan to do anything smaller than 3/8 where I would need grinding.
I think Santa made a good choice as it will do what I want and Santa could not afford, or justify, a new one.