I need some help in getting to the right vendor and in specifying exactly what I need.

I've purchased an articulating arm hollowing system for my woodturning lathe. The articulating arm is attached to the ways of the lathe on a two-part base. The ways are sandwiched between the bottom and top pieces. The bottom piece isn't wide enough to capture both of the ways.

I need a new piece of steel measuring 2 1/2 by 5 inches by 1/4 inch thickness with a hole tapped in the center. I assume a machine shop could do this for me. Is there a particular steel I should be asking for? What's a fair price for something like this?

Dumb questions, I know, but metal is the reason I work with wood G.

Larry

PS: Yes, I asked the company that sells this system for suggestions and he suggested I angle the bottom piece so it catches both ways. That may work, but the potential stresses could result in a catastrophic accident.

On 6/18/2014 10:09 PM, Gramps' shop wrote:
I need some help in getting to the right vendor and in specifying exactly what I need.

I've purchased an articulating arm hollowing system for my woodturning lathe. The articulating arm is attached to the ways of the lathe on a two-part base. The ways are sandwiched between the bottom and top pieces. The bottom piece isn't wide enough to capture both of the ways.

I need a new piece of steel measuring 2 1/2 by 5 inches by 1/4 inch thickness with a hole tapped in the center. I assume a machine shop could do this for me. Is there a particular steel I should be asking for? What's a fair price for something like this?

Dumb questions, I know, but metal is the reason I work with wood G.

Larry

PS: Yes, I asked the company that sells this system for suggestions and he suggested I angle the bottom piece so it catches both ways. That may work, but the potential stresses could result in a catastrophic accident.


If you have the room, why not just go to a welding shop and ask them to
cut you a piece of 1/4" steel in the size you need, drill a hole
(slightly larger than the one in the existing bottom plate and use it as
a rectangular "washer" with the existing one (and threaded hole) beneath it.

If that doesn't work in your application, I doubt the difference in
steel commonly available to you is going to make much difference. If
you're still worried... buy 5/16" or 3/8" steel and you should be good
to go.

On 6/18/2014 10:09 PM, Gramps' shop wrote:

I need a new piece of steel measuring 2 1/2 by 5 inches by 1/4 inch thickness with a hole tapped in the center. I assume a machine shop could do this for me. Is there a particular steel I should be asking for? What's a fair price for something like this?

Do you have any drafting skills, or use a program like SketchUp?

I often need steel parts fabricated for construction projects and have
found that making a dimensioned drawing, no matter how simple the part,
is the key to getting what you want from a machine shop, makes things go
much smoother, therefore you are liable to be charged less.

Material shouldn't be too much as a 1/4" steel plate, 12"x48", way more
than you need, can be had for around $50, and you're basically talking a
piece of scrap for a machine shop.

Labor varies by region, but +/- $45/hour around here.

--
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Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
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KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

"Swingman" wrote

Material shouldn't be too much as a 1/4" steel plate, 12"x48", way more
than you need, can be had for around $50, and you're basically talking a
piece of scrap for a machine shop.

Labor varies by region, but +/- $45/hour around here.


Yep, agree that a drawing is the key. Price along with the fore
mentioned... should not be more than 50 to 75 bucks. I you have a community
college with a metal shop, you may be able to get them to make it for next
to nothing.
--
Jim in NC


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"Gramps' shop" wrote in message
...

I need some help in getting to the right vendor and in specifying exactly
what I need.

I've purchased an articulating arm hollowing system for my woodturning
lathe. The articulating arm is attached to the ways of the lathe on a
two-part base. The ways are sandwiched between the bottom and top pieces.
The bottom piece isn't wide enough to capture both of the ways.

Perhaps the bottom plate from the regular tool rest would fit (with it's
bolt)?

John

Thanks, friends. I finally remembered that a buddy of mine owns a recycling yard. A visit this morning yielded a 6x6 piece of 1/4 stainless steel and 15 minutes with my grinder got me exactly what I need. Cost -- 2 gallons of gas.

Larry

Unquestionably Confused wrote in
:

On 6/18/2014 10:09 PM, Gramps' shop wrote:
I need some help in getting to the right vendor and in
specifying exactly what I need.

I've purchased an articulating arm hollowing system for my
woodturning lathe. The articulating arm is attached to
the ways of the lathe on a two-part base. The ways are
sandwiched between the bottom and top pieces. The bottom
piece isn't wide enough to capture both of the ways.

I need a new piece of steel measuring 2 1/2 by 5 inches by
1/4 inch thickness with a hole tapped in the center. I
assume a machine shop could do this for me. Is there a
particular steel I should be asking for? What's a fair
price for something like this?

Dumb questions, I know, but metal is the reason I work
with wood G.

Larry

PS: Yes, I asked the company that sells this system for
suggestions and he suggested I angle the bottom piece so
it catches both ways. That may work, but the potential
stresses could result in a catastrophic accident.


If you have the room, why not just go to a welding shop and
ask them to cut you a piece of 1/4" steel in the size you
need, drill a hole (slightly larger than the one in the
existing bottom plate and use it as a rectangular "washer"
with the existing one (and threaded hole) beneath it.

If that doesn't work in your application, I doubt the
difference in steel commonly available to you is going to
make much difference. If you're still worried... buy 5/16"
or 3/8" steel and you should be good to go.



I can't see the original post so replying to this one...

If you can drill and tap the hole yourself you can buy one
online from http://www.metalsupermarkets.com and have it
shipped to you. The price for 2.5x5x.25 cold rolled steel cut
to size is $11.93 plus shipping. You'll spend more for gas
hunting around.

Larry

Gramps,

If you are on owwm.org ask sqneck your questions. Maybe post a picture
or two of the item in question. I am certain you will get a good answer
/ advice.

Mike in Ohio

On 6/18/2014 11:09 PM, Gramps' shop wrote:
I need some help in getting to the right vendor and in specifying exactly what I need.

I've purchased an articulating arm hollowing system for my woodturning lathe. The articulating arm is attached to the ways of the lathe on a two-part base. The ways are sandwiched between the bottom and top pieces. The bottom piece isn't wide enough to capture both of the ways.

I need a new piece of steel measuring 2 1/2 by 5 inches by 1/4 inch thickness with a hole tapped in the center. I assume a machine shop could do this for me. Is there a particular steel I should be asking for? What's a fair price for something like this?

Dumb questions, I know, but metal is the reason I work with wood G.

Larry

PS: Yes, I asked the company that sells this system for suggestions and he suggested I angle the bottom piece so it catches both ways. That may work, but the potential stresses could result in a catastrophic accident.