FINISHED IT UP WITH A GRINDER - Using A Lathe To Install a Goose Neck Hitch

On 10/15/2024 5:44 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:vek97o$1c4gf$1@dont-email.me...
 After drilling a giant hole int he bed of my new truck I decided I
wanted to hit the freshly raw aluminum surface with some metal etching
primer, and some black paint to match the black sprayed in bed liner and
protect the metal.
 All my paint has been on the shelf a long time.  I wasn't able to break
the bearing inside the can loose on the lathe, but after I got it moving
I was able to chuck the spray can up cross wise in the six jaw chuck by
removing two opposed jaws.
 I think taping the can to a long blade in the Super Sawzall is faster,
but I can walk away with the lathe on 70 RPM and work on something else
for 20 minutes when I chuck it in the lathe.
 Bob La Londe
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 As a kid I made a rock tumbler consisting of a small windmill with a wood pulley and string speed reduction to the paint can holder. It did a fairly good job of scaring birds from Dad's garden as well. The blades were crossed sticks with thin plastic or aluminum flashing rectangles nailed on along one edge, so they self-feathered in strong winds.  It lasted about 3 months between repairs.
 

Finished it up with a grinder.  Many years ago, when this group was thick with masters of all, I was a bit taken aback by all the folks who would say, "I just freehand sharpen drills with a grinder."  Well, now I just sharpen drills with a grinder.  Today I had to drill four holes in the bed of the new truck for spring loaded chain loops.  The only 11/16 drill bit I found looked like it had a poor shallow grind for wallowing its way through steel truck frames... In fact I think that's what it was last use for, and I'm sure I was the one who put that grind on it.  I walked it over to the grinder and put a sharp aggressive three facet grind (6 if you want to be technical) on it for aluminum and punched the holes I needed right through the stiffener and bed of the truck.  (There were already holes in the steel under bed goose neck ball hitch plate.
After that it was just the usual fat guy trying to work under a truck to get the springs and nuts on the under side of the chain loops.
All finished up.  Next project electric running boards so my wife can get in and out of the truck safely without my having to run around the truck with a step stool.  Yeah, I keep a step stool in the bed right now.
I keep telling myself I'll get some nice CBN wheels for one of the grinders so I can sharpen lathe bits, drills, and even split points all on one machine and I still haven't completely worn out a set of the cheap grey stones they come with.  I probably should dress them more often though.
Anyway now, "I just free hand sharpen drills on the grinder."  Its not even very hard once you've done a few.  3/16 and up is pretty easy.  I have sharpened smaller by swinging a magnifying lamp over the grinder, but the smaller drills are so cheap I just buy them in batches.
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Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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