"...but I don't have a lathe."

Michael Horowitz wrote:
On 17 Aug 2005 10:57:42 -0700, wrote:

"...but I don't have a lathe."

in this article, Bob describes how to chuck something like a 2"
washer (using a coupling) so that one can reduce the washer's
diameter.

I'm staring at a piece of 11/16" 4130 steel tubing, three inches long
which is supposed to slip into a piece of 3/4 OD tubing and act as an
inner sleeve. this inner-sleeve-to-be needs to be turned just a
scooch so that it will fit.

It seems to me that there must be a simply way to do this; I
immediately go to to the most Rube Goldberg arrangement I can dream
up.

At the moment I'm thinking of turning down two washers so that they
matches the ID of the work piece; that will keep the work centered on
a piece of threaded rod.

Open to other ideas - MIke



If your live end cone is big enough that takes care of that end. A
wood dowel forced into the other end takes care of that end. Make your
own dowel and LEAVE it in the chuck when you put the tube over it. If
you move the wood it will never again be true to you.

If you'd rather use a metal dowel/tube you may need to use Locktite™
to keep it from slipping. That's where the fun ends, removing the metal
dowel/tube is a great deal of fun since heating everything to at least
300º to soften the Locktite™. Again, leave the dowel/tube in the chuck
until you are done working.

There is a third way if you have a piece of round stock long enough
to go through the tube. The round stock has to be greater in diameter
than the ID of the tube. Start by using a center drill on the end of the
round stock to put your live end into to prevent wobble. Then turn the
round stock down so you have a length longer than the tube and a slip
fit. You then thread the end and use a washer and nut to secure the
tube. The nut should tighten the tube against the shoulder where you
turned down the round stock, not the chuck. Tightening against the chuck
will ensure you pull the round stock out of the chuck when you tighten
the nut. Again, leave the round stock in the chuck until the work is
complete. Hex stock can also be used.

BTW, you shouldn't use technical terms like "a scooch" in this group
since it is obscure. I prefer "a tad."

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired