Home › Forum › Ask A Member › Making mixture needles › Reply To: Making mixture needles
Bucc, Can’t you use threaded steel rod.? Measure or figure out what the angle is and the length. Install rod in chuck or collet, set correct angle on table, sharpen yourself a cutter which is close to a point on cutting end. When installing threaded rod in collet don’t leave any more rod stick out than needed to cut your angle, just add a little extra so the cutter doesn’t hit the chuck or collet. I would start lathe at around 1500 RPM, you don’t want to run too slow of speed, adjust speed faster if needed, I would start at .010 cuts, as you get closer to the point or end, cut down to a .002 cut. Set your feed rate slow enough so you can control it. Once you get angle rite I would finish off with fine sandpaper to clean up tip. If satisfied with angle file burr off threaded end at a little angle to the end so when you run 10-24 die onto thread, nut will screw on real easy.
If you have enough material start with a practice piece first to get the hang of it.
Got to make it fun, remember you are not in a hurry, take your time,be safe, and have fun. You are going to be surprised what you can do with these new toys or tools, including the mill.
Warning: When operating lathe, mill or whatever don’t wear any loose clothing, those turning chucks-collets don’t stop easily.
Have fun Gene.