"David Billington" wrote in message
...
Bob La Londe wrote:
I have an application where I need to make some small stainless steel
core
pins for a mold. I have some .090 spring wire that would probably work
fairly well after I straighten it. Straightness does not have to be
perfect, so I'll probably just do that part by hand. Then I run into my
issue. I need to taper it from .090" down to about .070" over a reach of
about 1.25 inches.

The only thing I could think of is to to a shallow v block and clamp that
it
the tool holder on the mini lathe. Then lay a file against one end of
the V
block and slowly bring it back until its just scuffing the wire at the
1.25
inch mark. The grove is to hold the wire from bending against the
cutting
force of the file. My concern is if I will be able to continue to cut
the
wire with the file as it work hardens from the action of the file. My
other
concerns are that I have my hands so close to the spinning lathe, and
that
this seems to be a very hand skilled approach to the problem.

No the pre tapered pins for sale from McMaster absolutely WILL NOT work
for
this application. Besides. I already have several hundred feet of .090"
316 spring wire left over from a past project.

I guess its time to go play with a file and see....





Sounds a bit like some items I made a few years ago but the taper was
shallower and longer but the idea may apply. Details from the dropbox

http://www.mwdropbox.com/dropbox/longtaper.txt
http://www.mwdropbox.com/dropbox/longtaperfront.jpg
http://www.mwdropbox.com/dropbox/longtapertop.jpg

That's a way to do it. I had not really though of clamping a guide to the
ways like that, but I think it might work if I can get a good cut on the
wire.