Obi ROTS WIP...crystal chamber added on page 3

[CHEWBACCA]

Scott it is easily ten times better but is still not fool proof.  I hated parting on my old 7.x machine but this is the first issue I have had with my 13.5 and the large parting tool (5/8 x 3/32 blade) because it does usually cut like butter...its definitely more involved than just the machine size though. 

I think it was a combo of things.  I had the speed of the machine like I always do (70...my slowest setting) but I think I was slightly crooked with my blade, I think the blade was dull, I pushed the tool in too quickly, I don't think I was keeping enough lubricant on it and I wasn't thinking about what I was doing at the moment but rather thinking about what the next step was and how I was going to align it and slot it etc. (in short I got a little too full of myself lol)

I switched out my blade and I parted the entire 1.5 solid blade stock I used without a problem so I think I would be good now BUT I am still not parting it to finish it...gonna face it all the way lol.

Here are the pics...as usual click for larger image.

Here you can see where it dug in and also where it broke and the damage it did on the grenade...



inside shot of the part the tool dug into...



inside of the rest of the grenade where you can see it put so much force on it that it squished it in at the side grooves...



broken grenade with new grenade.  See how the angle is better on the new one and the thickness of the cogs are correct...



old grenade, new and broken so you can compare the thickness and angle better.  Also it looks like the old one is a lot shorter but its not they are just about the same size but its just the angle that makes it look that way.  The new one will be just slightly longer because it stops at the very tip of the last groove instead of the larger part of the groove like the old one...




So there you go...my first major mess up on this build lol...hopefully my last.

[basalter]

Love how you just dusted yourself off in disaster and decided to do another piece, and try even harder to perfect it! Enjoying following this thread, good luck for the rest of the build, and kudos on such a great attitude!

[scottjua]

Nice work!

Yeah that's scary. I haven't had anything fly out of the chuck and try to kill me yet but a crash like that will make your heart skip a beat for sure.

[CHEWBACCA]

well the good thing about running it at 70 rpm is that its almost like it happens in slow motion lol.  No chance of it slinging off at least.

The grenade is mostly done now.  The only thing left is to cut the notches in it for locking and PC it. 

Pics...







So there you go OBI ROTS with correct 6 groove grenade :)


That is it for a day or two.

[Justintmars]

I have so much skill jealousy right now... It is a SIN!

[Greebles]

I was under the impression that a big lathe with large cross slide and rigid compound would be better.

Denzil what size is yours?

My 9x19 is leaving tomorrow. Ordering a new lathe today actually. Going 10x22 as that's the max I can fit. Probably can't even get it onto my bench either. But it'll cut nicely.

I have a LMS 7.5 x 12 mini-lathe. It has been a good starter lathe but I think I have outgrown it. Rigidity is the biggest issue with these smaller lathes. I have to take small cuts which makes everything take that much longer.

[Corran Horn]

Michael, I'm really in love with this saber.  You're just killing me here.  Totally killing me.






This is my Unicorn....  I have so much hatred right now.




Respect.

[Ho-Wai Lowill]

what an accident with the grenade but really admire about your perseverance at making things right.

[CHEWBACCA]

Thanks again guys :).

I haven't quit on this build but I have just been dreading the amount of time it takes to cut the gear section.  I finally just broke down and started on it but so I didn't get in a rush and mess things up I just did part of it on Sat. and the rest of it on Sun.

I am really happy with how it turned out and am glad its finally done.  I am also glad I have a power feed on my table which makes it a lot easier.

Here are a couple of pics (click to enlarge).  The valley and continued grooves going into the clamp area will be covered up by the clamp since the clamp butts up against the gear section. 



and here is a shot looking down toward the cubes.





I may try to powder coat them and the grenade today because I am finished with all the external machine work now.

[CHEWBACCA]

OK how about a pic with the powder coating done.  I used 60% gloss black to give a nice appearance...not too glossy but not flat.

[Sandpeople are people too]

the gloss content will also help hide the drool from people that look at it.

[Corran Horn]

OK how about a pic with the powder coating done.  I used 60% gloss black to give a nice appearance...not too glossy but not flat.

That is just gorgeous.  I want.  I want so much.

As Link would say, "I can haz?"

[Wildcard]

The gear section, and powder coating, look great!

[Lord Bane]

Looks great!

[sithslayer1]

[/quote]

That is just gorgeous.  I want.  I want so much.

As Link would say, "I can haz?"
[/quote]

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What he said, lol!

Michael, your killing me! This is a beautiful piece! I hope it's presold, or I may be in trouble.