On 1 Dec 2005 13:32:59 -0800, "ducque" wrote:

I don't know how to accurately make a very thin part -- for example,
something akin to a washer, or a very short bushing.

Start with a washer, then do what you need to it. You might need a
custom-made mandrel or a faceplate with a bolt to hold it rather than
an edge-clamping chuck. You might even use a magnetic lathe chuck and a
custom-made recessed faceplate ($$$).

Very thin parts are just a damn nuisance. As "parting them off" is
indeed nigh-impossible, you'll probably start with something that's
already thin, then make it circular. Other good techniques are punch
tooling instead of a lathe, or changing the design so that the thin part
is indeed a plain washer, maybe with a small turned boss added to it.