Lathe Lapping Plate, Table, and Vice Build

[SwissSeiko]

Hello all. As stated in other topics, I'm working on a lapping table setup, as I do a fair amount of restorations, and things are needing to get more precise. With my recent addition of an impulse micro welder, lapping is necessary. To start off, I have a few lathes, and the one I'll be using is my Taig Micro Lathe. I purchased it unassembled, as I wanted to modify it readily. I use a sewing machine motor to drive it, and it has a lot of adjustment on speed. In order to do this, you need this tailstock riser to use on the headstock, and this spindle mount to attach your Lapping Plate to. I ordered some 6 inch aluminum disks that are 1/4 in thick. After finding the center, I placed the spindle mount on the center, then drilled and tapped the holes. Then I used a vertical belt sander to reduce the OD of the disc enough to mount the piece on the lathe so it spins freely. Then I faced the part as best as I could(cross slide only has so much travel) and finished it off with 240 grit sandpaper. I attached some 2k grit sandpaper for now, but will be replacing it with lapping film. As for the table, I'm 90% done with the build, and should have it done this week. I'll add that to my post. The white plate below is just the base and is not centered on the headstock axis. The lapping vise as seen in some European restoration videos is extremely expensive. I have designed and made a fixed polishing device, similar to the one by horotec. I have designed and am prototyping a 2 axis vise for rotational bevels. My last design is going to be the 3 axis vise, but I'll get to that one later. Attached are some photos of the lapping plate for the lathe.

Edited February 3 by SwissSeiko

[tomh207]

Great project, looking forward to seeing more of it as it develops.

 

Tom

[Neverenoughwatches]

Is this the sort of thing you are designing for holding the cases and backs ?   Or a tilting table ?

[SwissSeiko]

7 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Is this the sort of thing you are designing for holding the cases and backs ?   Or a tilting table ?

 

Yep, I'm making that and a tilting table. I'm on my 3rd prototype of the holder. The first one I made the center hole throughout the body too small, and I'm too lazy to machine the entire shaft to diameter. Then I had issues on another aspect, but the current one should work out well. I have the bearings pressed in, just need to finish the other end of the shaft.

[SwissSeiko]

Here is a small update on my polishing vice build. I've already made the base 2mm thicker as this as too much flex. But I will install some roller bearings so it can slide along a rail

[SwissSeiko]

A little update. I haven't made a ton of progress on the setup, but now I will need to move faster as I have a case restoration on the bench. I did a little welding on it

[SwissSeiko]

Here are the preliminary results of the first lap and polish I did. I'll need to hit a few parts with the laser again.