LocostUSA.com

Speaking of lathes, they're kind of like a hammer - once you're holding one, everything begins to look like a nail.

I'm constantly looking at things, wondering how I could make/modify/improve them on my lathe. I love that thing - my wife says I spend so much time on it that she calls it my "mistress". It's easy to get carried away with it, that's for sure. When I'm stymied on something on the car, I usually end up making something on the lathe while I ponder my latest issue.

Case in point: 1) a Dzus fastener tool (really a glorified screwdriver, but one that precisely fits the Dzus fasteners on my car, unlike a screwdriver which tries to skate across fresh paint), forged/hammered/ground to shape, and 2) a Zetec crankshaft alignment pin (screws into the side of the block, allows the crank to be turned to exactly top dead center - there are NO timing marks on a Zetec!). The latter is pictured with a Zetec camshaft alignment plate I made at the same time.

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Scratch building, at continental-drift speed, a custom McSoreley-design framed, dual-Weber 45DCOE carburated, Zetec-engined, ridiculously fast money pit.

http://zetec7.webs.com/

Thanks for the break down. I'd consider cutting the flywheel or crank spacer if used to the bore of a v8 flywheel. Kinda hard to hang on to a thin wall bushing to cut it, at least for me. I have a small lathe too.

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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

The engine is a 1984 2.8L cologne V6 from a Ford Ranger. The T5 transmission is from a 1996 3.8L V6 Mustang.
The options are; Turn down the end of the input shaft to fit inside of the stock Ranger pilot bearing or Turn down the outside diameter of an early stock 5.0L bushing to fit the Ranger.

Andrew,
Thanks for the feedback. If the $725.00 lathe is still available when my next Social Security check arrives, I'll make the drive to check it out.

zetec7,
Nice work! So many reasons to have one.

Ron

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"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

No problemo. Bore a hole in a piece of scrap tube or round stock, press the bushing into it, and chuck the assembly up. The thicker sleeve will keep the chuck jaws from deforming the thinwall part.

Depending on the bushing thickness when you're done, you might want to make a piloted driver to knock it out of the sleeve. If you do that, you can use the driver to install the bushing into the crank, too.

That’s about 4 hours away. I missed an Atlas 618 for $175 by two minutes at an estate sale! I just keep looking. My wife says I’m obsessed.

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My Haynes/Miata build: http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=3774

I would hold out for a nice Southbend 9 if you're going that size. Those things tend to bring out the mob with pitchforks on the machinist forums.

Ok Ron, no worries. I didn't know if you are aware the cologne v6 came both ways: a deep offset flywheel and a separate spacer with a essentially flat flywheel.

Thanks TRX. I will try that next time.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F,
Was not aware of more than the style I have. Thanks for the additional information.
Ron

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"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

I can't afford one.

Sorry to hijack the build thread! What about this one? All input welcome... Then I will go back to lurking and gawking at everyone's work.

https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/d/atl ... 16524.html

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My Haynes/Miata build: http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=3774

[/quote]

I would hold out for a nice Southbend 9 if you're going that size. Those things tend to bring out the mob with pitchforks on the machinist forums.[/quote]

That's what I bought - a 1947 SB 9" X 54". Never rebuilt, was used commercially for about 60 years before I got it, still a ridiculously precise, stupidly reliable, strong machine. And, there are parts galore for it still, after all these years. Mind you, well-made cast iron & steel pieces tend to last longer than "offshore-made" plastic ones!

_________________
Scratch building, at continental-drift speed, a custom McSoreley-design framed, dual-Weber 45DCOE carburated, Zetec-engined, ridiculously fast money pit.

http://zetec7.webs.com/

A newbie buying an old lathe at a sale is the very definition of "crap shoot". The Chinese and Taiwanese machines from reputable dealers are good, solid machines and an excellent buy.

Twenty three years with a $2,000 12" Chinese machine from Enco.

Bill

I went to my Doctor about my obsession with Tom Jones, he said it's not unusual.


Bronze bush, most of the gearbox adapter firm use them.

Met a guy who was selling a MGB for a friend, so he could free up space in his shop for a 1960 Lotus 7.
Bought the B and returned latter to check out the 7. I wanted to see if I could fit in an original size frame. Didn't even require a crane to get me out.

Now I know.
Ron

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

Combined with drooling a bit over that '60.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

I kept walking around it trying to view it from every angle. Taking pictures. We discovered that the width at the point that that top bows attach is 1" narrower than the sides at the front of the seats. Have to wonder why. To much to take in. Powered by a 1275cc at this time.
The 16" wide seating space works out OK but the pedals were too close. Also need a foot rest.
Ron
ps
more pics

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised