Any model engineers with a small lathe?
Discussion
I've got a couple of old radio controlled cars that I need a few impossible to get bits making up for, im considering buying a small lathe but time and money are against me at the moment, more time than money to be honest.
Are there any piston headers that could help, the parts are easy to make basically small steel shafts with threaded ends, I have examples of them to copy. I'm also willing to pay obviously (properly not beer tokens)
Are there any piston headers that could help, the parts are easy to make basically small steel shafts with threaded ends, I have examples of them to copy. I'm also willing to pay obviously (properly not beer tokens)
Firstly, are you sure the parts are impossible to get? Might be worth joining tamiyaclub.com to ask if anyone has them. You'd
be suprised what you can still get hold of.
Is it not possible to just buy some steel rod at the correct diameter, cut it to length, and then thread the ends with a die?
Worst case scenario it's possible to use a pillar-drill, or even a standard hand-drill clamped into a vice as a makeshift lathe.
Are the parts in question tie-rods or track-rods? You can buy aftermarket ones off the shelf in varying sizes and lengths.
be suprised what you can still get hold of.
Is it not possible to just buy some steel rod at the correct diameter, cut it to length, and then thread the ends with a die?
Worst case scenario it's possible to use a pillar-drill, or even a standard hand-drill clamped into a vice as a makeshift lathe.
Are the parts in question tie-rods or track-rods? You can buy aftermarket ones off the shelf in varying sizes and lengths.
Hi Pete thanks for the reply.
In a word yes, the mardave bits I've hunted for the last 3 years and only just managed to get one to copy, you need 2 per car I could do with 4 at least, the rear ones I've never seen for sale I'm just lucky I have a pair. The parts in question are axles, made of hard steel (so a drill with emery paper would take a lifetime) the fronts are more or less rod with thread on one end but then a smaller diameter at the other end with another thread, very easy job on a lathe impossible without, the rears are a rod turned down to an axle shaft leaving a cup on one end, hard to describe but all straight and again not a hard job.
The other part can be got but it's hard to get and usually worn, it's also expensive when it does rarely turn up, it's one of those parts that is just easier to get made than mess around waiting for. That is a layshaft which has a gentle chamfer on it down to a smaller diameter.
The hardest job is the layshaft and rear axles need holes drilling across the shaft
For drive pins to go through but I could do this on a pillar drill in the unlikely scenario someone with a lathe didn't have one.
In a word yes, the mardave bits I've hunted for the last 3 years and only just managed to get one to copy, you need 2 per car I could do with 4 at least, the rear ones I've never seen for sale I'm just lucky I have a pair. The parts in question are axles, made of hard steel (so a drill with emery paper would take a lifetime) the fronts are more or less rod with thread on one end but then a smaller diameter at the other end with another thread, very easy job on a lathe impossible without, the rears are a rod turned down to an axle shaft leaving a cup on one end, hard to describe but all straight and again not a hard job.
The other part can be got but it's hard to get and usually worn, it's also expensive when it does rarely turn up, it's one of those parts that is just easier to get made than mess around waiting for. That is a layshaft which has a gentle chamfer on it down to a smaller diameter.
The hardest job is the layshaft and rear axles need holes drilling across the shaft
For drive pins to go through but I could do this on a pillar drill in the unlikely scenario someone with a lathe didn't have one.
Ah yes, I see. Although the emery paper is taking it a bit far, I agree shaping hardened steel in a drill is peeing into the wind. Ahem, so to speak.
I can also see that even giving the job to an old-fashioned mechanic (with a machine shop) is going to make it properly expensive.
Sorry I can't be of any more help. If I get a lathe I'll let you know. Good luck!
I can also see that even giving the job to an old-fashioned mechanic (with a machine shop) is going to make it properly expensive.
Sorry I can't be of any more help. If I get a lathe I'll let you know. Good luck!
Would you say it was mild steel, turned down and threaded at one end and cross-drilled? Is the portion on the right parallel or tapered?
Here's an example of the kind if thing I've been working on recently:
I'm just an amateur playing with a lathe I got a while ago off Ebay, but might be able to help?
Here's an example of the kind if thing I've been working on recently:
I'm just an amateur playing with a lathe I got a while ago off Ebay, but might be able to help?
brman said:
I'd use silver steel for that and harden it. I suspect free cutting mild steel would bend pretty easily in use........
I'd be tempted to try silver steel without hardening; it's already harder than mild and those cross drillings may introduce distortion if you heat treat it.Yes it carries 2 bearing races with a gear inbetween (driven by one of the drive pins) then the threaded portion sticks out of the side of the box to carry a slipper clutch.
I'll get some pics up of the gearbox and bits. Its a lovely piece of ridiculous overcomplication by a fantastic engineer.
I'll get some pics up of the gearbox and bits. Its a lovely piece of ridiculous overcomplication by a fantastic engineer.
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