Ihad to machine the O.D.s and two sides of flanges welded to the ends of long pipes. To hold the parts, I cut special blank soft jaws for a lathe by machining surfaces equal distances from the key on all three jaws as shown in the illustration. After installing the jaws, I realized I had to use three hose clamps to cut I.D.s matching the parts. With the jaws tightened against the clamps, I machined the jaws to suit the pipe I.D., loosened the jaws and removed the hose clamps. I chucked the workpieces, mounted a steady rest and machined the flanges.
Niles Bradley
Westerly, R.I.
Latest from Practical Ideas
Latest from Practical Ideas
Practical Ideas
Countersinking with a Stop Mechanism
Sept. 5, 2012