Easy To Make Quality Machine Die Holders For Use On Lathe And Bench 

2wheel charlie on board there always check web pages of negiative comments...and dead on they havent a clue.. i have .been a machinist 42 yrs

Hi Paul, Thanks, I hope to do some more when I get time. I am just finishing a new bench for mine. The one that I had wasn't strong enough! I bought my carriage stop and locking lever on Ebay, but it is much more satisfying if you make your own. I have several other ideas for the ML7 in mind thanks again.....Steve

Neil Duncan which company is that? I deal with inex for extrusions and im just getting into using a lathe.

Hi Kevin that's great. Thanks for watching and for your encouraging feedback. Regards Steve

@@SteveJordan Love the explanation of these videos!!! I couldn't help but laugh about how many times you pick up and put down the die holder towards the end of the video hehehehe

Hi Allen Thanks

Hi James....thanks for watching. Regards Steve

Filme risco de fogo

Hi Albert, Thanks.

Hi Colin.....Thanks for watching.....Regards Steve

Well they haven't in 40 years of machining. Its an exaggerated rule people made up over the years. There is really nothing sleeves like this could catch on on a lathe. In fact I have had more injuries from hot swarf landing on bare arms when not covered.

@@SteveJordan your right Steve its just I have a friend who can only count to eight on both hands. Cheers Alex

Hi Paul, Thanks

Hi Kim, Thanks

I don't like those.

Hi Sam, Thanks.....Yes thanks for mentioning that. I forgot to mention about the importance of having a file handle for safety. Regards Steve

Hi Glenn, Thanks

Hi Paul Thanks

Hi Jason....thanks for watching. Regards Steve

+David Leahy Hi David...Thanks for watching....Regards Steve

Hi Shawn Thanks

Hi Nick, Thanks. Yes I would really like a milling machine, but do not have the room. I would need a larger workshop as mine is only 10 foot by 8 foot. Did you get a Myford ML7 or Super 7 lathe? When I was doing this video I noticed my lathe was shaking a bit.....The stand wasn't strong enough. I have installed a heavy duty lathe stand this week. Also I got a second hand Myford deep tray. I will be setting it up so I can use coolant on the work. Hope to do a video on re- installing the lathe and coolant pump etc soon. Regards Steve

Steve, I bought a grey S7 from a trader near Stroke-On-Trent about a couple months back. It wasn't cheap but it was a bargain considering the condition and tooling that came with it. I was funding for quite few time and it was a relief that the machine is as expected. I'm based in Athens, Greece and I couldn't have a close look to the machine hence over the last couple years I developed some skills judging condition of lathes from just photos as this was my only option. Very risky I know! 8x10 foot workshop is near perfect and there is certainly room for a small milling machine. What about the Dore-Westbury Mill? It isn't any bigger than your current Asian lathe and still is more capable of your current bench drill! Selling just those two tools will make more than enough room and funds will be enough for a nice Dore-Westbury that is now a piece of machining history and a lovely tool. I'm considering DW myself as my other options seem to be quite pricey for my budget. The dip tray and/ or raising blocks are a nice addition to any Myford. I myself don't really like the Myford stands though. My lathe is vibrating only when I switch ON the Dewhurst switch and the motor starts. I think the tension on the motor belt is not correct and/ or the motor base is not positioned correct. I'm waiting for the manuals from Myford so hopefully I'll find some info in there. If it's comfortable enough, sure do a video on the new installation of the lathe, it will be handy and there is none on youtube so far. It might take some time but you may can include some leveling info as well. P.s Buy the Dore Westbury!!!

Hi Nick, I have just been looking at the Dore Westbury. I've never seen one before you mentioned it. Looks like a great machine.

Titanium15160ottttyrr yioiiiioo I was just the thing is the

I guess you stay for till the end of the video, Steve bores the internal hole additional 10mm deeper and slightly larger than the largest die you will use. Thanks, I enjoyed and plan to make a set like yours

​​@@davidschwartz5127 - That"s nice, except he DID NOT bore it larger for 10mm depth. This is easily seen when he shows the finished item at the end of the video. 🙄 EDIT: In fact, just look at the very last frame at 31:12... it is right in the middle of the screen!

You can make it any depth you like, however the deeper you bore it the more slop will be introduced in the central shaft. That alignment is critical to getting the die dead straight with the chuck and ensuring that the threads will remain 100% parallel with the work. The start of the die is literally a spiral, so it tends to push the die slightly sideways. Once the thread starts off crooked, the threads will try to remain on that slightly incorrect angle. That results in an inaccurate thread. The central shaft (and the tap bottomed onto the internal ledge) ensures that the die is perfectly flat providing your tailstock is aligned properly. To get perfect results, the central bore should be reamed to final size rather than just drilled on a bench press. If the central bore is long, it lessens the importance of the hole diameter. Make sense?

+Jan Kersten Hi Jan Thanks, I normally just put the piece in the jaws and keep turning it in the jaws to where there is the least run-out. Then start the lathe and carefully give the work piece a tap with a soft mallet. When you hit it right it will run true. It may take several attempts but normally I can get it to within .002. I will show this in another video soon. Regards Steve

Hi Joe, I have several videos about the tool-post drill I use on both lathes. If you type 'toolpost drill Steve jordan', they should all come up in the search. Regards Steve

Hi Shawn, Yes you could do it that way. I do it this way though, just to make sure I get it dead on with alignment of the screw holes. It is just a safe method of machining to get the die definitely sitting on the back face when the locking screws are tightened. If the position of the screw holes are out, even by a couple of thou, in relation to the centre of the depth of the bore, it can cause the die to lift off the back face when tightened Regards Steve

Hi Dale. I just start the thread off so it's nice and square to the work. The taps often slip in the drill chuck so it's better to finish the thread on the vice

Hi Herman, The tool shank is ground so that when it sits in the tool holder it is preset in that position at the correct angle. This is how they were set in the CNC machines I used to use. They are great tools and very cheap if you get them on Ebay from China. They are the SCLCR06 type. Regards Steve

Hi Its not shirt sleeves, Its a heavy duty work jacket that wont catch on anything. Regards Steve

Hi Gary, Thanks for watching....No I do not harden them....Regards Steve

Americans would call it "drill rod". It's just hardened steel that has been ground to a close tolerance, so it's very parallel. In comparison, normal steel bar varies widely in roundness, diameter and surface finish along it's length.

He has answered that a number of times already. The small chuck of the drilling gadget doesn't grip the tap tightly enough to prevent slipping. So he starts the threads straight in the chuck, then connects the tap handle direct to the tap to do the full thread cuts in the vice. Personally, I was going crazy watching how many times he removed the work then (edited out) rechucked + and registered it in that chuck again 😢 I would have just left the part there, slid the drilling gadget aside, and ran the tap in while it was tightly gripped in the lathe 😅

Sure, the center determines the dimensions of the thread, the outside ones lock it in place. You'll notice the die is split. the center screw wedges it apart to get the threads as tight as needed. (There's a word for that, but I just can't pull it out of my skull!) AAR

Leon Degne

Hi it is a Dixon Quickchange toolpost. If you get one that is specified for the Myford lathe it is exactly the same as the one for the Mini Lathe. Sometimes Chronos are cheaper than RDG

Thanks Steve. Do you know of a vertical slide suitable for milling on the mini lathe? Sorry to be a pain but I am new to all this, I have only had my lathe for a couple of weeks.

It is an SCLCR06 I think its the 8mm one. You can get a nice set of them from China on Ebay or just buy the singularly. Much cheaper than buying from UK sellers!

That would significantly alter the size of threads it cuts. The center bolt in the die holder is specifically designed to be wound in to spread the die open slightly. That allows you to correct for a nut that is slightly loose on your threads.

oh sorry it was in the final part of the video 6082-T6 :D

Hi Antonio, It is.....6082T medium strength aluminium. I only buy this spec now as it is used a lot in the aerospace industry and is nice to machine. Thanks for watching.....Regards Steve

Steve Jordan thanks for the info, keep up the good work :)

A procedure that has been used since the invention of the lathe. They also used to make file guides for metal lathes.

You need to take a Second Cut at that joke. It was easier not to do that work in the Mill.

Hi Ilario, You can drill them to a larger diameter for the through hole. I've been using these for over 20 years to make perfect threads for hundreds of different precision components... without any problems. Thanks for watching.....Regards Steve

It's hardly ever helpful to begin a comment with 'that's no very good' is it? Might be more appropriate to start off by thanking Steve for his VERY considerable contribution, after which you might want to offer your own suggestions.

Hi Frans. If it was a waste of time then nobody would be interested. So far today it has had 45,710 views and 404 likes, proving that all these people didn't find it a waste of time! You need to look at things like this, before commenting, otherwise people may think you don't know anything about the subject......:-)

I do know a lot about the subject, I'm a machine worker (turning, milling, grinding) for more than 40 years.But it's like making a video about boiling an egg, and that video last for 1/2 hour. Sounds really silly doesn't

Perhaps you would be better off watching some Disney cartoons.....with all that knowledge you have!!!

the fact that he elongates every sentence doesn't help either

TheDutchGuy110 How petty

They are to hold the die and stop them spinning in the holder. Also they are use to adjust the split dies cutting diameters a certain amount. Regards Steve

The outer 2 are used to prevent the die rotating, and those shouldn't be more than hand tight. The tapered one in the middle is used to adjust the die up a little. This is tightened down after you do a test cut (which should always been done with dies). Remember, you can't change the size of a nut or a tap... so if you find that the test nut is a bit loose on the newly cut threads, you wind in the center bolt into the die to spread it. A small adjustment can make a significant difference in how the resultant parts thread together. Some high quality dies have a small captive set-screw going sideways into the slot, so you can set the size permanently.

I had the aluminium in stock but it is good quality aircraft 6082t grade. I've had this set for over 20 years now. You could make them from steel though, it's whatever you prefer. Regards Steve

I saw another video where the guy machined the main part from the brass cover of a normal bathroom tap (faucet). Machined beautifully and looked awesome with it's stylish shape. Plumbing fittings are a fabulous cheap source of brass that usually is of a grade for a nice surface finish!

Hi Thanks, I hope to upload another video later. They videos do take me a while to make. The drill attachment is one of my most used tools and speeds up making components. Thanks for subscribing.

Hi David Thanks

You could simply watch his other videos that show how to make them 🙄