Machinist setup help needed

Use a 4 jaw chuck and center first one then loosen 2 jaws to put in the next one.

Do you have access to a bridgeport with a digital readout?

Find a bit of 5/8 planter drive shaft, female circle on the outside, 5/8" square on the inside, and put a set screw, on one or 2 sides.  Chusk it, and the spike, in a 3 jaw self centering chuck.  That's if you have a lot to do.  If its a short run, the wooden jig might be cost effective...

wfmurray wrote: Use a 4 jaw chuck and center first one then loosen 2 jaws to put in the next one.

Ten four,,, This IS the way I would do it too. Once you get the 4 jaw set,,you will find that they are all some different but first setting will be close enough for agnes,,,,,

Thad, is that a project for the little lady? I hope my bride doesn't get that idea or I will be looking for railroad spikes.

I gave the 4 jaw some serious thought but I only have about an inch of square shank left. I would have to keep the head to the inside and it would be so deep in the jaws that I don’t think I could see what I’m doing.
I don’t have a mill.
Now I think I’ll make a jig out of angle iron that I can clamp in my drillpress vice . Maybe vice grip the spike in the jig.

Chit,,,Thad,,,I musta been half asleep,,,cause I was workin on the wrong end of the RR spikes,,,you is wantin to use the head end,,huh,,??
OK,,according to the web,,,the American, Early 20th Century RR spikes are 9/16 square shafts and are from 4 1/2" - 5 1/2" long,,which does not leave you very much meat for chucking in the lathe,,,,
PS,,don't use the ones stamped HC on the head,,,these are High Carbon and will not cut or thread very easily,, I believe I would use your 4 1/2" angle grinder to cut the excess off,,then center punch the shafts and use your drill press vise to hold em while you drill em out,,,same for threading em,,,,,clear as mud,,???   LOL
I'm assuming the head would be looking down,,,huh,,?? I think they would look really nice for the custom Early American look,,,and,,,,and,,,I ain't givin you my wife's phone number,,,,,!!!!(don't need no more projects),,,,

Edited by desertjoe - 20 Jun 2018 at 7:47pm

wfmurray wrote: Dito with desertjoe  i was thinking of the other end also  .Make an x on the end and center punch and make jig to hold in vise and drill and tap.Use a 64 th larger bit than chart calls for and it will tap easier since there will not be a lot of stress on it.

8x32 threads tap calls for a no 29 drill bit. This ole carpenter has no idea what size a 29 is.

Tracy Martin TN wrote: I would make a soft jaw for mill vise that had a vee in it to hold square shank . Drill and tap it there. JMHO Tracy

If you have several to do, this is quickest way. You can make this quickly and it will repeat everytime.  Been doing this 40 years, HTH Tracy

Thad in AR. wrote: wfmurray wrote: Dito with desertjoe  i was thinking of the other end also  .Make an x on the end and center punch and make jig to hold in vise and drill and tap.Use a 64 th larger bit than chart calls for and it will tap easier since there will not be a lot of stress on it. 8x32 threads tap calls for a no 29 drill bit. This ole carpenter has no idea what size a 29 is.

Yeah,,I hate them drill bits with numbers,, What I usually do,, is get the calipers and measure the "First" inner thread ID on the end of the tap and that will get you the OD of the drill bit you want to use. That will get petty dang close for what you are doing.

I made the first one with success but she wants them a little shorter. That makes them harder to set up in my bandsaw. I started on the second one. It looked like new steel. I started cutting and it went way slow. I finally had to stop and discovered that the head said HC. I assume high carbon as it wouldn’t cut and destroyed my bandsaw blade. I went through the spikes and removed 5 more new lookin ones that said HC.

desertjoe wrote: Hey Thad,,,ole Buddy ole Pal,,,,, check out my post bout 12 hours ago,,,,,,

I wish I would of read it sooner. I ate the teeth off of a bandsaw blade. I only found a few like that. I put them to the side for blacksmith projects.
I got the rust removed on all the spikes and about 20 or so cut. I should finish cutting ang get several drilled and tapped tomorrow.

If I thought that would pass her inspection I’d go that route. I’ve got near 50 to do. I got the rust removed on all and got them cut to length. I’m afraid to tap with a battery drill with such a small tap.

I would like to suggest using rails for the back splash!

Edited by desertjoe - 06 Jul 2018 at 8:47am