Lets learn how to make titanium nails and dabbers!

researchkitty

researchkitty

Well-Known Member


OH NO. I want to make my own titanium nails and dabbers and a few other random parts.

I've never used a metal lathe before. I've no experience. No friends know them. Just me. This will be fun. :) Once the lathe part is learned, the mill comes next..........
 
unohu69

unohu69

Well-Known Member
Thats awesome, I would love to learn machining myself, however some of the sickest shit Iv ever seen is lathe accidents...
 
TruenoAE86coupe

TruenoAE86coupe

Moderator
Yeah i work with tractors a lot, stay away from that shit!!!
Anyhow, i did not realize Harbor Freight carried a lathe, how much did you pay for that? (assuming HF since its a central machinery) I would love to have a small one for a while, probably going to end up with a big one eventually so some practice on a small one would be great!
 
mindphuk

mindphuk

Well-Known Member
researchkitty said:
Hrm, weird............. Looks like the "I dont have a mill so lets just turn and drill this chunk of titanium" nails, but I can see how they'd work, but still wonder a bit if they are airy or good? He sells em on eBay for $30 a pop.
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Reasonable enough price for someone that dabs a lot to take a chance on it and then give us a review. ;-)
 
cannabineer

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
I am not a machinist, don't play one on TV or have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express ... but i have been told by an actual one that titanium is an absolute bitch to machine. It's "chewy" as opposed to "free-cutting", and it has a way of ruining cutting tools, including carbide. I half-remember talk of special cutting fluids containing iodine. I said it before and I'll say it again ... tantalum!!! cn
 
researchkitty

researchkitty

Well-Known Member
TruenoAE86coupe said:
Yeah i work with tractors a lot, stay away from that shit!!!
Anyhow, i did not realize Harbor Freight carried a lathe, how much did you pay for that? (assuming HF since its a central machinery) I would love to have a small one for a while, probably going to end up with a big one eventually so some practice on a small one would be great!
Click to expand...
They carry a few, actually! Mine is this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-x-10-inch-precision-mini-lathe-93212.html

Its $599, but $499 on sale right now new, use your 20% off single item coupon if you have it too! :) About another $150 in accessories and tips too........


cannabineer said:
I am not a machinist, don't play one on TV or have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express ... but i have been told by an actual one that titanium is an absolute bitch to machine. It's "chewy" as opposed to "free-cutting", and it has a way of ruining cutting tools, including carbide. I half-remember talk of special cutting fluids containing iodine. I said it before and I'll say it again ... tantalum!!! cn
Click to expand...
This is very true! However, thankfully (I'm TOLD but have no experience yet) that Titanium Grade 2 turns a little tougher than aluminum, but not anywhere near as difficult as the titanium most other people use. Grade 2 thankfully is softest of all the grades. I'm told to work it around 600rpm cur cutting and be generous with my WD-40. :)

I've ordered some aluminum and titanium stock........... Some will be here tomorrow some the next day.... :)
 
cleverpiggy

cleverpiggy

Well-Known Member
Aluminum is one of the easiest materials to machine, titanium however is the complete opposite because it is one of the toughest materials to machine. You may want to purchase some cutting fluid specifically geared for titanium, try MSC or Production tool they will carry all the proper fluids. I cant remember if titanium cuts better using carbide or high speed steel, you may want to confirm this before you buy your cutting tools, they can get pretty expensive. MSC and Production tool also carry all the cutting tools you'll need as well.
 
researchkitty

researchkitty

Well-Known Member




Some new tools and accessories, including the carbide tips needed for titanium, and then a little aluminum that we shaved down to see if it even works. :)
 
W

WIGGIM

Active Member
Dude I hate to say this but that cut is bad. I run a lathe at work a lot, I'm a millwright by trade. If I was you I would get a few manuals and the machinest handbook, start with brass it is super nice to work with, and tool steel it's nice and cheap, I can check a few of my chart numbers for you if you like.
 
researchkitty

researchkitty

Well-Known Member
WIGGIM said:
Dude I hate to say this but that cut is bad. I run a lathe at work a lot, I'm a millwright by trade. If I was you I would get a few manuals and the machinest handbook, start with brass it is super nice to work with, and tool steel it's nice and cheap, I can check a few of my chart numbers for you if you like.
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I know the cut is bad. I've never used a lathe in my life. :) All I did is watch some chips flake off and said "Yup, it works!". Now (and forever) is when I learn how to properly use it. :)

Did you make a masterpiece the first cut? :)
 
researchkitty

researchkitty

Well-Known Member
Its all good Wiggim, glad that we got it out of the way early in the thread <G> I'm game for ANY and ALL tips that help, thats for sure!!! Thanks for any help you can provide.....

With that, here's a few things I found so far to help me learn the basics:

[youtube]7MUxivrx_MU[/youtube]
[youtube]2su0LzXnDoM[/youtube]
[youtube]ReeRv4iAEEo[/youtube]

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5559634/Lathe_Learnin_-_Complete_5_DVD_Set_-_ISO-KnifemakerC

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5968602/AGI_Lathe_-_Darrell_Holland_-_4_DVD_Set_-_KnifemakerC_-_ISOs
 
cleverpiggy

cleverpiggy

Well-Known Member
DO NOT WEAR GLOVES WHILE OPERATING A LATHE. I have seen people rip the skin off of entire fingers and hands from wearing simple cloth gloves when running machinery.
 
W

WIGGIM

Active Member
Not just gloves but any watches/rings hoodies,loose clothes etc... I'm trying to find my books from school for a few of the basic stuff
 
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