Richard, I'm planning to apply some carving to my spindles, so ball nose tool bit is just what I want to use... and the other reason is that when I don't know what will happen with general metal tool bits when I put them in my Vectric tool database.? I will search online so I can get the measurements for the normal 1/4" toolbits online.? I use the whiteside SC64 all the time on my CNC router and its my favorite for 1/12th scale.? ?I did a carving on a table top last week and it is so efficient; so the cost of the tool makes up for the amount of time and precision I gain by using a CNC.? I do really love hand carved miniatures, but I'd like to get some of this stuff done, while I'm still working and can afford my hobby.??

Mike, Unfortunately, I don't have scraps of metal of the size of a tool post.? I do have a lifetime supply of wood for miniatures though, as soon as I re-saw it on the band saw and put it through the planer.? The beauty of a cnc is that it is,? as precise as I tell it.? I have practiced turning to get matching spindles for a couple of years, and I am frequently off and have a bag of turnings as evidence.? While I can measure accurately - I do have dial calipers; I get close in lengths and diameters when I turn manually.? I imagine for the CNC lathe to work, the bit must be in the center of the turning or just slightly above the center, right?? Making a collar for a 1/4" router bit to work... with the sherline tool post will likely be more precise then me, and while I could make, it I really don't want to make 5 of them to get one to be correct.? I like Sherline's rocker tool post too.??

The accuracy of the results of the work is affected by the measurements entered for the toolbit.? And I recently carved a recess in a table of 1/32" of a 1/16" thick board and more precise then I could ever be.? I used to do this with a dremel router mounted like a drill press, it works too.

I would like to make my own brass CNCd plate for a branding iron, and a letterhead or book embossing plates...so I do have some brass for these projects, but nothing as thick as a tool post, and so many suppliers are closed right now!? I did finally find an aluminum supplier about 15 miles from home, but most industry and suppliers are closed because or Recreational Vehicle mfgs closed to help with decreasing the spread of the flu.

?I want to get this project done, so will try with the stuff I have... I've got some filing to do as I can't get the tool post on cross slide right now, the previous owners must have had an accident to affect the cross slide, but I think I'm skilled enough with a file to be able to fix this issue.

I do really like the cabinet on this and hope to have a summer project with both grandsons this summer.? GS#2 has a box in the making, and GS #1 may work on the lathe kit project that sherline has on their website, they are cousins and I'm going to try at least to get them off their electronic game boxes for a few hours each week during the summer!

Tamra