Big tool, small part

[Ultradog MN]

Kenny stopped by yesterday needing a bit of
help with his tractor.
He lost the clamp for the engine kill cable
on the injector pump.
I have one just like it on my own tractor
that I could copy. So I suggested he run
out and get us some coffee and doughnuts
and I would get started on it.
It did seem to be a bit of a puny thing to
make on a 2 ton lathe but hey, it'll do it.
It took about an hour to turn the part,
drill the holes on the mill and tap the
hole for a 6-32 outlet cover screw.
Then we had coffee and a doughnut and
shared a bit of gladness that all is still
well with the world.

 

[FarrviewSouth]

Nice ,

 

[Butch(OH)]

It's lots easier to make little parts on a big lathe than trying to make big parts on a little one LOL. I keep making up excuses to look for a small lathe. Last week I made a tiny propane jet for a burner on my 20x60

 

[Centerplate]

Nice part. I can't remember how many times I was looking for that exact part. I wish I had a lathe.

 

[greenmech]

Tools sure come in handy. Ron MN

 

[Doug - Iowa]

The ability of a big lathe to do tiny parts is a good indication of its precision. And the operators! Your's is obviously a good one on both counts.

 

[el6147]

that makes me smile, I do a lot of machining and customers can't understand how such a small part requires so much time to do correctly . most independent shops are nearly or well over 100.00 an hour for machine work . tough to do a part like that and expect to get paid for an hour of shop labor .

a few years back I machined new bushings and welded them on for the lift arm on a front end loader , I explained to the customer I will check and if I can buy them from John Deere it will be far cheaper than me machining them. wasn't able to buy them so I proceeded to build and repair, when I sent the bill to him I received a Phone call from him. I thought you said it would be cheaper if you made everything I said to him you clearly misunderstood me.

nice looking part .

 

[Jim in LA]

It looks like the control rod connectors on my RC airplane servos only bigger.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Just for perspective, if you were running a shop that hour of time would be worth about $150 these days.

So if your friend were paying to have that part made custom it would have cost him at least $150. Even if the dealer were charging $50 for the same part, he'd be money ahead.

He's lucky to have a buddy with a lathe and spare time that works for coffee and donuts. Not everyone has that.

 

[Little Ed]

I, too, have a family and friends rate that keeps me broke. Sometimes it's not about the money.

 

[wp6529]

There is tremendous satisfaction in finding you need a part and then just making it in an hour and getting on with things.

 

[gears]

2 dozen glazed are on their way. Please ship 24 cable stops to PO Box 123 Tallmadge OH, 44278

Thank you

 

[vtford800]

I own 3 lathes and built two of them from scratch, including doing the patterns and castings. And I think it's great to help friends in need. Plus donuts and coffee are fine things to sit and talk over. Likewise charge properly for your time for others if they understand what is required.

Just a point to wanted to bring up, people these days don't realize what they can do with simple tools or hand tools.

That part can be made up by a person with a little patience, a file, a drill, and a tap. And in fact, considering set-up time with machine tools, sometimes it's even faster to do it with hand tools. Don't feel you can't do things because you aren't a machinist with a well equipped shop. Every good machinist has spent plenty of time early on behind a hand hacksaw and a file, in front of a vise.