Re: Machining / Lathe questions

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "John Richardson by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <jprich-at-up-dot-net>

Dan,

I personally would silver solder or weld threaded rod to the spheres as
opposed to tapping holes.  Much easier to contend with.
John Richardson
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2003 6:10 PM
Subject: Machining / Lathe questions


 > Original poster: "Mccauley, Daniel H by way of Terry Fritz
<teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <daniel.h.mccauley-at-lmco-dot-com>
 >
 >
 > Just a few questions regarding machining . . .
 >
 > 1.  My first question is that I want to drill and tap a large number of 1"
 > steel spheres which I am going to using as
 > corona balls (spark gaps actually).  Anyone have suggestions on how to
clamp
 > these spheres properly.  I guess the proper way to do this to ensure
proper
 > centering would be to use a lathe (see next question), but precision isn't
a
 > hard requirement as they are only going to be used for spark gap balls.  I
 > was thinking maybe taking some material putting perpindicular V-Slots and
 > having the sphere rest in the intersection point.
 >
 > 2.  Secondly, I'm finding that lathe work is becoming a requirement on
 > almost all my new tesla and high voltage projects (as well as others) and
 > I'm finding the very high prices of out-of-house machining to be very
 > restrictive so I think its in my best interest to invest in a lathe and
 > start practicing.  Are there any lathes out there for under $500.00 that
 > would be okay for practicing and would be tabletop sized (not a huge floor
 > mounted lathe)???
 >
 > Any help appreciated.  Thanks.
 >
 > The Captain
 >
 >