Carriage Lock: Under Construction

This was my first project to try milling on the lathe. It worked well! Too bad I didn't choose to finish it, but you don't need a carriage lock on a CNC lathe.

Shumatech DRO with Spindle Tachometer: Planning...

Got the DRO controller components and box, but never ordered the scales. Again, you don't need a DRO for CNC.

Expanding Arbor Spindle Handle for Threading and Other Manual Operations: Planning...

Yup, don't need one of these either for CNC. Sigh...

Inventing a Tumbler Reverse and High-Low Tumbler for the Lathemaster: Planning...

Guess what? Don't need it for CNC. Was an interesting design exercise though...

Gravity Operated Center Punch

I got a Starret automatic punch, so I don't need one of these any more.

I use center punches a lot, particularly as transfer punches. One of the challenges is in wielding the necessary hammer to tap the punch if your hands are already very busy holding proper alignment of about four pieces. I use a little piece of brass lathe stock as a hammer and that helps some. I bought one of the Starrett 18AA center punches that fires itself. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but you have to push it hard to fire the punch. It is double action, in firearms terms. It would have been so much nicer if there was a way to cock it and then fire it later with a light touch. This would make it easy to leave a punch mark with hands full. Now along comes another solution. I came across this "gravity operated center punch" while trawling the web for something entirely different:

It's kind of like a miniature slide hammer. I might try making one on the lathe, can't be too hard, and just see how I like it.