Thread: Thanks to Finno

I dropped in at Graeme's last weekend to view his masterfully restored 260. He has done an exceptional job and the "Paula" blue does look good, nearly as good as Vista green. Graeme's only problem now will be scratching the paint. He should find out how the South Bend moderator avoids scratching her machine.

Another reason for my visit was to have a look at his taper turning attachment locking handle. I expected to encounter a chunky cast handle but was surprised to find that Hercus had utilized a turned and bent steel handle on their latest attachments. I took a few photos and made some measurements with the idea that I would make a similar handle. One more thing on a long list.

Yesterday, Graeme came over to my place to modify the tee nut for his newly acquired QCTP. Fortuitously, he bought along the TTA handle which he kindly left behind for me to copy. Nothing like the pressure of a favour to make me act.

I had entertained the idea of making the handle from 4140 but thought that it would be a hell of a lot easier to use 1214 which is what I did. I turned the shallow taper using the compound slide, being too lazy to fit the taper attachment. It worked out well.

I only have a Bernzomatic Mapp gas torch and could not apply enough heat to ensure that the start of the bend matched the Hercus bend. As it turned out, the resultant bend is quite graceful. The finish is the ubiquitous sump oil treatment.

When fitted to the attachment, the handle is too close to the chuck when clamped tight. Graeme's handle sits a little further away but in my mind, still to close to the chuck. I will make a thicker washer to realign the handle so that it projects away from the chuck.

Thank you Graeme.

BT.