Machining Simplex smokebox saddle

[StirlingSingleParticipant @stirlingsingle]

Hello,

I have set up my saddle on the vertical mill for fly cutting the 5" diameter. However I am having trouble. I think I may need a boring head. any recommendations?

All the best,

Stirling.

[StirlingSingleParticipant @stirlingsingle]

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

A boring head is the easiest way to do it. I used a 2" Soba boring head but any one should do.

If you haven't seen the site have a look at the Simplex build pictures here although he doesn't show that operation there is lots of good info. there.

Russell.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hi Stirling,

It is the devil's own job to set a flycutter accurately to a diameter, as you don't have two opposite points to measure across.. A boring head allows you to make incremental changes and 'creep up' on the right size, and also as it is graduated you can see how big a change you are making.

That said, if you can set the flycutter somehow, the actual mechanics of the cutting are probably more rigid. If you start sightly off-centre with the fly cutter, you can move the work across once the diameter is right.

Neil

[StirlingSingleParticipant @stirlingsingle]

Many thanks for all the info.

All the best,

Stirling

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

it is quite an easy casting to file to size using the smokebox material as a gauge. to machine it you will need quite a complicated set up and clamping arrangement IMHO – in the time taken to set it all up and make the clamps you could file it to size. much easier to fabricate out of 6 pieces of brass.

cheers,

julian

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