More experimentation

 Had a play around at drilling PCDs into turned aluminium parts.  I first machined a bore into some timber as a simple fixture then pressed the part into place.  I later on did another part with spot drilling first and counter boring.  was very happy with the results.

 I was also looking for a neat way to store my fasteners, yet still be able to take them places for installs and prevent double handling.  I settled on using Tactix boxes from Bunnings and decided to build a rolling island bench for them.

Part of my workshop improvements was to fabricate a new bench that all my tools and equipment could fit underneath,

I cut slots into the table and designed brackets that allow the bench grinder and bench vice to be pushed back against the wall and out of the way when not in use.  I have always found this to be a pain with bench grinders in small workshops.

A few of the little projects i've undertaken lately

Cutting out MDF letters

Making a new drill bit organiser.  Made from 15mm HDPE plastic, using a spiral surfacing pattern.

 Machined a new gear stick knob for my car.  Was very happy with the quality of the engraving on the brass plate.  Also got to test out my new parting off tool in the lathe for this one and using super glue to hold down small parts while machining them.  Worked a treat.

For the Z-axis upgrade for the CNC router I wanted to cut down on some of the travelling mass of the system.  With these pockets and some other features I should be able to drastically improve the Z-axis stiffness while keeping the same mass as the current system.  Before and after stiffness values to presented once I install it.  Material is 6mm 5000 series alloy plate.  Cutter is 6mm single flute, 15000 RPM, 1200mm/min feed, 0.5mm DOC. 

Was very impressed I was able to machine brass with a 4mm bull nose R1 cutter.

Made a pen holder with a spring loaded Z-axis.  Plan for this is to use it as a plotter for making sails for my sailing dinghy in the future.

Turning some decent sized aluminium parts and testing out my new carbide inserts for aluminium.

Practice piece for making a plywood child's toy box.  Finally starting to play with some digital joinery.

Some more turned parts and my first go at threading on the lathe.  just happened to be in a bore and against a shoulder, certainly know how to make it challenging for myself.

Testing out a new radius tool for the lathe.