How To Part-Off A Long Piece Of Large Diameter Bar On A Small Lathe 

Thanks for watching. I'm pleased you like them. Regards Steve

Hi Jon, Thanks. I would love to have a milling machine, but I haven't got the room. The upside down part-off, I found is the best method. The inserts last as they should as well. What milling machine are you getting? Regards Steve

@@SteveJordan Thanks for the reply Steve, keep an eye on my channel, I haven't decided yet but I will be posting a video tomorrow night with some thoughts. I have already ordered one machine (sorry for the cloak and dagger stuff) which I will reveal in tomorrow's episode. Would welcome your feedback on any of my thoughts in the few videos I have posted so far, just trying to get the workshop and channel up and running. Thanks again, Jon.

Thank your USA car manufactures for that. In 1972 (or there abouts) the US embarked on a 3 step plan to convert over to metric. We never got past step one - dual labeling. If anything that mucked things up even worse because as hard as straight imperial units were it is substantially harder to toss constantly doing conversions into the mix. Best to just rip the band-aid off and bite the bullet. But the resistance to change over won out and the battle for universal standard was lost (for now). I don't doubt that among other things this has been a signifiant contributor to the large number of anti-science Luddites here.

I'm surpriced that the Imperial using US have got as faar as it has. Look att the different units being used. There is "thou", decimal, there is fraction, letter drills, number drills..... I've got imperial collets for the mill to handle Imperial wigglers, Coax indicator, other various indicators etc. A set of Imperial hex keys is also needed, to assist my metric sets.

When you get right down to it, it's hard to make a case for any system of units over another. Perhaps a system could be based on more fundamental aspects of nature. It's not a great argument. And the meter isn't any more fundamental than a yard so you can't use that to argue for metric over imperial. I know where you're coming from because I held those views for a long time but if you study history and metrology, you would see that these topics are more utilitarian and political than factual. The Internation System is fine but it basically was spread by conquest, not popular demand. The Imperial system was spread by exploration, business, and economic forces. Before widespread trade, every country had their own way of doing thing and it was fine because almost the only argument for a particular system of units is that other people use it. The other argument is historical---my people use these units so I use these units. Here's a fun fact: in physics software, often the units aren't defined because it doesn't matter at all. Just pick a unit of weight, a unit of distance, and a unit of time. Other units can be derived from those 3 picks. So if you configure the software with a consistent set of units, the answers will automatically be in the correct units.

@@neffk I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. The metric system bases as many things as possible on fundamental units and those that aren't are based on standards which are as invariant as possible and these only change when something that's even more constant is discovered. I've often though that our time standard ought to be the blip from regular pulsars (not those that vary in period because they are orbiting something) preferably one near the north star so there's no seasonal doppler effect.

@@neffk You're perfectly right. The "meter" was for a long time defined by a holy piece of metal in Paris, France. Later a certain number of wavelengths of Cecium(?) was used. Why not Another number ? The SI-system reduces the number of specific constants for nearly every calculation. But, as You say, both systems are based on something choosen from ? How about the "letter drills" and "number drills"? I drill metric holes but watching RU-vid videos, I'm lost. Modern calipers are perfect unit converters. Put in what ever units You want and change between Metric, Imperial, or Fractions.

T slots?

I can't see how to do that mounting on my 7*14 mini lathe...

Hi Doug, yes I had the standard motor on my Mini Lathe for about five years. I had two circuit boards break over that period and had several new potentiometers. I got annoyed at the cost of replacing these parts. In the end I bought A 1 HP 3 phase motor and a VFD and converted the lathe. I haven't had any problems since so I'm pleased with the upgrade. Regards Steve

Hi Paula, that is great, I'm pleased you found the problem. I don't have a magnetic switch on mine now, just an ordinary push button type. Regards Steve

Hi it does clear the chips more but it also stops the part off from snatching downward. The pressure is obviously upward. The Myford ML7 also has a screw on chuck so it is a great advantage to be able to mount the tool upside down at the back.

Hi Tony it be a new type toolpost drill with tapered roller bearings. I'm hoping to make it so that I can do small milling operations quickly using a standard electric drill. If it's successful I will show how I make it at a later date. Regards Steve

There aren't any.

Correct. 200 thou == 0.200 inches, times 25.4 mm == 5.08 mm.

I take the tailstock off on my Chinese Mini Lathe when parting off long bar. Regards Steve.

Id did like Steve tells here but added a steady rest instead of the tailstock! It worked perfectly.

Mark Thompson I’ve done that, well not drop it, just break it off by hand

As long as you dont part it of completely it does not matter ,you could use both if you want to go a bit faster and remove the chatter.

I do have a steady rest but it won't take this diameter. I was going to get a larger one from RDG when they get them back in stock. Regards Steve

I use this method because I haven't got a band saw. I also don't have any room for one.

I haven't got one.

Thanks for the info on the 'lets be friends' comments. I wondered what they were about. I will delete those from now on..thanks It must be nice having a band saw. For smaller bar I have one of those angle grinder cut-off fixture tools which saves some time. Regards Steve

@@SteveJordan The band saw is a game changer. I've had it about 5 years now. Once they've been given a going over the repeatable accuracy and squareness of cut is tremendous. Don't know how I managed for years without one.

@@SteveJordan totally agree with Howard on the band saw! Didn't bother to get one for the longest time, up until about half a year ago. Absolute blessing to have it now!

Hi Steve,. a lot of people use a portable bandsaw now and they seem to really like them. I do not have one but if I did not have a horizontal saw I definitely would have one. They do not take up a lot of room and saw where one person made a mount for it to put in his vice and used it like a vertical bandsaw as they made a little table to attach to it. They are not expensive to buy and blades are readily available. I was thinking of your restricted space and all you do to convert things it might be a nice fit for you. I have the chop saw with the cutting disk but like the bandsaw so much better and do not have all that abrasive dust all over my shop now. Always enjoy your videos. Dale in Canada

@@dalemcinnes1834 I have a homemade steel cutting table that can be fitted onto the rear blade guide bearing housing with 2 screws. Lift the saw arm to fully vertical position,fit the table and you then have a vertical band saw in a couple of minutes.