The Home Machinist!

The start of the floating end of the tube nest.

Well I ran into a serious learning curve for machining copper. I thought it would be like machining brass “WRONG” broke 2 center drills before I found my spotting drill. I broke 2 tap drills for 5-40 including a cobalt drill and a D drill. I got frustrated and gave up last night. A coworker told me that when things get you mad walk away for awhile and come back with a fresh mind. So I will try later today.

After finding my spot drill I spotted all the holes.

I’ve done that. Walked away

Usually shortly after banging a digit with a hammer or some similar occurrence, and flinging the offending item out the door.

Of course the first thing I had to do after calming down was go find the flown item...

If the drills are grabbing take the sharp edge off the tips just a little with a stone or honing stick.

Greg the drills were getting stuck in the copper from too slow of a RPMS. I corrected that and continued on my way. Now I'm just finishing up the water passages.

little giant wrote: ↑Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:25 pm Greg the drills were getting stuck in the copper from too slow of a RPMS. I corrected that and continued on my way. Now I'm just finishing up the water passages.

Good to hear. Looks like a fun project.

makinsmoke wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 2:20 pm I’ve done that. Walked away

Usually shortly after banging a digit with a hammer or some similar occurrence, and flinging the offending item out the door.

Of course the first thing I had to do after calming down was go find the flown item...

Sometimes I have to talk to my tools. They don't always understand what I want them to do. My wife says I use "Navy language."

You mean swear like a sailor... I do it all the time when things do go as planned

Well since I'm waiting for the EDM machine to be free so I can get rid of the broken drills in the free end I'll start the fixed end. I put all #30 drills in and time to do the other side.

What engine is this going on, Don? Good to see you posting again. Been a while!

How will deal with mineral deposits etc inside a working elesco heater bundle? Will you have a working oil separator on the condensing line since using exhaust steam?

Had a better Saturday than last week, brass is so much easier to work with than copper. I finished all the holes, and tapped holes, ready for water passages.