Thread: Faceplate and angle-plate won't play together

I don't suppose the 4 jaw is big enough to hold the angle plate? Maybe with some of the jaws reversed?

Pete

No Pete, the 8" 4 jaw is too small to hold the angle plate.

Phil,
My "clamping kit" only consists of a pair of H&F stepped spacer blocks and hold-down clamps with 8mm bolts. I don't know if they would be beefy enough to secure the angle-plate to the faceplate. I might grab another pair next time I'm in H&F.

pipeclay,
The crankcase is very small (32x32x18) and I only need to bore a 12mm hole in it. All work to date on this part has been done with the lathe running at 270RPM. The catch plate might be an option, although I would rather drill holes in the angle-plate or a home-made jig.

Lots of options to consider. Thanks for all the responses.

Still dont see whats wrong with my spacer idea........ but if you dont like that, how about using your angle plate to make a custom angle plate out of a piece of angle iron?Then you can drill holes where you like.

Stuart

Why not mount the angle-plate/job to your cross slide and drill/bore from your headstock?

mav

Stuart,
Nothing wrong with the spacer idea. It may yet come to that. Only trouble is, it would still leave me with an essentially useless angle-plate. I was hoping to rectify that before tackling this job. The custom angle-plate idea is similar to what Bruce did with his square tube. If I do end up making a disposable angle-plate/jig for this job, I will use my milling attachment to square it up. I like this idea because it solves the balance issue too.

Mav,
that's not really an option with my setup. When I eventually get a extended cross-slide with T-slots that would work. I don't have a boring head either, and it has to be bored to a sliding fit with the cylinder liner which is already made.

Chris

I think the suggestion of a spacer between the faceplate and angle plate is a good one. A 1 inch plate of any material, bolted to the faceplate through counterbored holes, and studs or bolts in the faceplate holding the angle plate allowing it to be adjusted, gives you everything you need. Once made you have it for other jobs down the road too. It's what I would do since the easier option of holding it in the 4 jaw is not possible.

Pete

If you have the smallest Angle plate that is listed on the H&F website you will be able to use your 8" 4 jaw,I just went and measured mine and there is plenty of room.

Is there any reason why you don't just mount the piece in the 4 jaw.

Photos of Hercus angle plates and a 260 faceplate. The large angle plate is too unwieldy. The smaller probably would have done the job. The 260 plate offers different clamping opportunities to those of the 9 " plate.

Reckon a bolt through the angle plate in one of the slots either side of centre and then a 25mm clamp bar across the angle plate to the outer slots of the face plate should fix it.
counter weight as required.

Thanks Bob,
I see the Hercus angle plate has 3 vertical slots. The H&F one has 4 slots, so there is no centre slot to line up with the radial slots in the faceplate. I think the H&F plate is made for a milling machine.
Chris

Clubman,
I'm not home right now, but I think with the angle plate where I need it the outer slots wouldn't be useable for bolting a clamping bar.

Have you got the smallest angle plate hare and forbes have listed.

Could be wrong but I have never come across a dedicated angle plate for lathe face plates.

You do have an 8" chuck or was that a mistake.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

If you have the smallest Angle plate that is listed on the H&F website you will be able to use your 8" 4 jaw,I just went and measured mine and there is plenty of room.

Is there any reason why you don't just mount the piece in the 4 jaw.

Ron Chernich recommends the method I am attempting to use. I don't know if the 4 jaw would work, but since he is a model engine making guru and this is my first engine, I'm inclined to follow his advice.

I'm pretty sure I got the smallest angle plate H&F stocks, but I will see if it will mount in the 4 jaw tomorrow.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

You do have an 8" chuck or was that a mistake.

It was a mistake. I have a 6" 4-jaw chuck. I always thought it was 8". Sorry for the confusion.

I solved the problem of angle-plate adjustment by drilling two 10mm holes in the faceplate. However that didn't really help with this job. It's impossible (for me at least) to centre the workpiece. As soon as I tap the plate to align it in one axis it moves out of alignment in the other. It's just a tail chase.

So I have milled up a small mounting block from a piece of ali that I will secure in the 4-jaw. If necessary I will shim it to make it parallel to the lathe's axis.

Sounds like you need a wobbler. I will take sone pics of the one I made tomorrow (have to go out tonight). They are invaluable when setting up on a faceplate or 4 jaw chuck.

Phil