While no huge feat of machining, I made my first gun part last night in machining class.
I made a stainless steel guide rod for my P226. We were doing a similar project, so when I finish the project, I jumped at measuring my rolled steel guide rod and sketched out a rough print with specs, stuck a peice of 304 bar stock in the lathe and went to cutting.
What I did learn is that the carbide bit sure makes a nicer finish than tool steel. Maybe the tool steel was dulled.
I spent the first couple hours of the night rezeroing the tail stock- an adventure in itself. I'd be within .002" across 6" and then make and adjustment abe be out 0.020", then go back the other way and be .005" the other way. In the end I had it within .0005" across a 10" cut. That was enough for what I was doing.
Anyway, I don't have pics yet and I want to finish polishing the muzzle end. My instructor was waiting for me to finish so he could close up, so I had it good enough to use, so I stopped for the night.
I made a stainless steel guide rod for my P226. We were doing a similar project, so when I finish the project, I jumped at measuring my rolled steel guide rod and sketched out a rough print with specs, stuck a peice of 304 bar stock in the lathe and went to cutting.
What I did learn is that the carbide bit sure makes a nicer finish than tool steel. Maybe the tool steel was dulled.
I spent the first couple hours of the night rezeroing the tail stock- an adventure in itself. I'd be within .002" across 6" and then make and adjustment abe be out 0.020", then go back the other way and be .005" the other way. In the end I had it within .0005" across a 10" cut. That was enough for what I was doing.
Anyway, I don't have pics yet and I want to finish polishing the muzzle end. My instructor was waiting for me to finish so he could close up, so I had it good enough to use, so I stopped for the night.
