Hi all,

Just started to have a go at a Stuart Models10V, bought the castings set from them as they are just down the road in Bridport, very nice helpful people.

Their showroom is AMAZING!

Thought I would use this to develop my infant skills using my Warco mill and ML7.

Started on the base box and base plate; carefully hand filed the flashings off and checked the castings on the mill table for no rocking; held in the vice upside down on a piece of cartridge paper tapped down. Milled the bottom just fine, measured, then did the top, all OK, correct thickness etc.

Same thing with the base plate, this had a lot more flashing so filed it all off and machined the bottom after placing on parallels. Did the bearing posts and standard areas. Again no problem.

Where I am a bit stuck is this:

I now want to use the X/Y DRO on the mill to do the 4 holes in the base box and the other holes in the plate but how can I set my zero when I am not totally sure that the castings are sitting EXACTLY square in the milling vice?

I filed as best I can and they LOOK OK but I can foresee problems if they are out a tad.

This has not mattered in the facing operations.

As the vertical sides are tapered I am not sure where to touch off if using a centre finder, also the edges are not machined so will a centre finder give an accurate reading, probably not ?

My other intention was to drill one hole in the base box using one of the dimples and use this as a zero for the other holes. Do the same with the plate and bolt together then drill the plate but I am just not sure about alignment etc. Is there a better way please?

I find the accompanying book on the build usefull but it assumes a level of skill below mine!

I would also really appreciate any thoughts on how to hold the standard casting for facing (in the mill) and particularly how do I centre it on the lathe for boring when the actual axis centre is in fresh air! I will make the holding fixture by H Hill for the legs when faced.

My apologies for what may seem obvious questions to the more experienced.

Regards, Martin

Hi Jason,

Point taken and that certainly is on my reading list.

My query re setting the casting in the milling vice and zeroing the DRO is not there however. Am I being too worried about this and should I 'just get on with it!'?

Just really trying not to get into bad habits when I know so little. I realise that I can just get another casting if I screw up but would like to get it right first time.

I have done successful practice pieces using the DRO where all sides are machined but not used it on a casting with the potential problems outlined above.

Any help ther would be most welcome please.

Regards, Martin

Thanks Jason, that makes complete sense. I take your point that the alignment on these relatively non critical parts should be visually acceptable rather than be slaved to the drawing.

Any thoughts on the standard setup, should I go with HH and do the whole thing in the lathe having made the holding fixtures he mentions or go with the mill? I am most worried about getting the bore on axis on such a log part.

Martin