02-07-2015, 12:18 PM
The usual beginner project is making t-nuts for the mill. Make a few (six or so) and then a couple that are cut at a 45 so they can be dropped in from above. Make them fit the slots well, just a few thous clearance, quite a bit more at the top and bottom if you use cutting oil in a flood (for drainage). It's not a bad idea to tap the holes short; the notion is to keep you from running a bolt to the bottom of the slot and jacking a chunk of the table out.
Another popular project is making a flycutter. It's a finishing tool that you can sharpen on a regular bench grinder. Not too big- it will chatter. You might look at your lowest speed to guesstimate the largest size. 400/lo-rpm=max dia for steel.
Another popular project is making a flycutter. It's a finishing tool that you can sharpen on a regular bench grinder. Not too big- it will chatter. You might look at your lowest speed to guesstimate the largest size. 400/lo-rpm=max dia for steel.