[SS2S-Main] Re: Machining graphite
- From: "Cliff Bates" <cliff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <sugarshot@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 12 May 2014 22:28:06 -0700
I'd add one more Mark. Run the vacuum cleaner motor off the can for a few
minutes when done machining. The humidity and mist in the can plays hell with
the motor windings, bearings, and brushes. This simple airing gets rid of that
moisture.
A good list Mark.
Cliff
----- Original Message -----
From: Redacted sender "monsieurboo@xxxxxxx" for DMARC
To: sugarshot@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2014 1:52 PM
Subject: [SS2S-Main] Re: Machining graphite
Here's a summary of the suggestions I got back from my off-list inquiry about
graphite machining:
-- Cover the lathe rails and bed. Mount a thin shop vac extension head as
close as possible to where the bit is throwing the cutoff, such that the tip of
the vac head is following the bit. Add general forced ventilation around the
lathe and into open air to keep the dust level low.
-- Build a water trap. Run the vacuum source (small water-capable shop vac)
into a 5-gal bucket w/ lid and fitting for hose which draws above the water
line.
Fill bucket half-full of water and a few drops of liquid soap. Run the working
hose into the bucket but extend the fitting attached to lid BELOW the water
line
close to the bottom of the bucket. The graphite dust collects nicely this way
w/o much of a mess. But, expect it to be noisy.-- Machining tip: Slower revs
and deeper cuts will place more stress on the
material (which can be flakey at the best of times), but produces larger chips
that aren’t as dirty as the finer stuff.-- Also suggested: “squirt motor oil
on it once per pass, and clean any residue
afterward using isopropanol.”
HTH!
Mark L.
Other related posts:
