On Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:29:21 +0000, Chris Wilson wrote:

I need to machine a round billet of stainless steel on its flat face
with a square section groove to take an O ring. The OD needs to be about
60 mm, the ID 50 mm and the depth of the groove 4 mm. I have a smallish
(11 inch swing Harrison) lathe and a Bridgeport universal mill, but very
limited tooling as I am a novice. What is the easiest way to attack
this, the billet is cicular on its OD, can be gripped in the chuch of
the lathe, and the groove will be concentric with the OD. I also have
hand wheel roatable table for the Bridgeport, although I haven't used it
and am not even sure of its proper name....rotary table?

I would probably have to buy or make a cutting tool for the lathe as I
see nothing obviously suitable amongst the stuff I have.


Thanks, the thing I need to groove was expensive and I don't want to
wreck it going in blind.

Thanks.

If that nasty old rotary table confuses you, I'll take care of it for
you :-).

Trepan. You need a trepanning tool, which is much like a cutoff tool
except that it accounts for the curve of the cut it makes. Then you get
to find out how rigid your lathe is.

--
www.wescottdesign.com