TIPS

[@byronfoxretiredmachinist9300]

I just retired from machining after 44 years of it , and have only recently discovered Mr. Pete on You Tube ! I want to thank you for All your shared knowledge & ALL your thoughts & comments , its good to see all this experience passed along to whomever can use it . Sincerely , B. Fox , another old machinist PS keep up the good work !!!

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much-welcome aboard

[@grntitan1]

Take your time mrpete. I like it when you thoroughly explain things with your "side bars". Those people who are want you to rush rush rush are in a hurry to get to the end of their life. The rest of us are stopping to enjoy life. One of my highlights of the day is when I get an alert that mrpete222 has a new video. Keep doing what you are doing. Matt

[@HansvanWoezik]

grntitan1 I am personally literally at the end of my life (already at age 51) due to kidney failure. But Lyle can't upload enough video's as far as I am concerned and they can't last long enough either. I love listening to his voice as he is passing on his knowledge, video taping it and thus creating a legacy for generations to come. It gives me a lot of comfort in these difficult times. So Lyle, if you are reading this; thank you.

[@garyc5483]

You are a plucky man to be here telling us of your problems. All the best wishes to you. I agree mrpete can take as long as he likes to explain things. regards from the UK

[@literoadie3502]

Aren't you receiving dialysis? I'm sorry to hear, glad you're enjoying Lyle's videos. One question, I realize most of the comments below Mr. Pete's videos have the plain letter profile pictures indicating probably newly made accounts, which makes me wonder if all of these newer accounts belong to older guys who perhaps never started watching KZbin and making online profiles and are only now getting into it thanks to Mr. Pete?

[@HansvanWoezik]

Lite Roadie. Yes I have been for some time now and I have surpassed the average life expectancy of 2.5 year when on dialysis for poly cystic kidney desease. I am not a suitible candidate for transplant. I will most likely be moving on to the happy hunting grounds anywhere between 1 to 6 months from now. Lyle sometimes makes jokes about it, but I'm gonna make sure that St. Peter sends him right back should he report at the pearly gates too soon. He still has so many awesome videos left to make that are enjoyed by people from all over the globe.His work ain't done for a very long time. As for the KZbin account, it is a new one indeed. I am now the last of a group of 4 who started the dialyses around the same time and whom I bonded with. Three passed, so I am the last man standing out of this group. A bit morbid maybe, but it's one of my way's of coping. Thanks for your interest. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@literoadie3502]

This comment made me feel very poignant, almost in tears reading, but I hope you're happy. I don't believe in that gate stuff myself, but whatever makes you happy right now. Here in Swansea! I didn't know there was a lethal form of kidney failure, my uncle had kidney failure a few years ago now and he's been receiving dialysis and in line for a transplant, I always thought as long as you're on dialysis you would be fine.

[@mrsmith8436]

I love your videos tubalcain. Take all the time you need. The details are important in a craft like this. My father was a machinist for most of his adult life. Sadly he died when I was only 12 so I never got to learn this stuff from him.

[@stretchromer2869]

Mr. Pete, I think the more information you give helps us all. People can fast forward if they get bored. Also, you can show the metric measure just by using the toggle button at the top of your caliper. Each time you make a check, just toggle back and forth a couple of times until it becomes a habit. Then all the metric folk will be happy!

[@literoadie3502]

We love the time 'killing' Mr. Pete, it's gold!

[@24Hobbes24]

I recently bought a tap follower very similar to the ones that have the black knurled caps you showed. My tap follower has both the cup and the point. you just have the unscrew the cap and flip around the point and reassemble. handy tool! love the videos Mr Pete keep them coming!!

[@tuffymartinez]

Morning Lyle....You are as reliable as the sun rising in the morning....Always a pleasure...THANK YOU LYLE

[@jimmywburke5831]

Mr Pete, I made a tap follower this afternoon, it turned out very good. I thank you for the info on how to make one.

[@mrpete222]

That was fast!

[@davidfe47]

Something good to watch this cold AM with my coffee. Clear as MUD Thank you.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Another great rainy day project.

[@nottoblame8830]

Mr. Pete Thank you for this post. I had a mystery tool I found in an old tool box. I thought it was a broken automatic center punch, but the point wasn't hard enough. It is almost like the weak tap follower you have. I was going to take it apart, but now I know it is perfectly ( except for the weak spring) fine. Thanks again for clearing that up.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks for watching

[@TrevorDennis100]

It has always amused me that so many projects that I see on KZbin channels, and it is absolutely true for me, are kind of machine/wood shop self sustaining. That is to say, things to improve or enhance the workshop. Of the last half dozen projects I have finished are a DIY router lift later made redundant by the purchase of a Triton TRA001. Fence stops for the router table; a steel bracket to mount a huge fan on the workshop wall, a height increaser for my computer chair, a stand for the oxyacetylene torch, tool tidies for the workshop walls, a substantial trolley to slide my ever more heavy toolbox in and out of the back of my truck, a rack to hold hardware trays, etc. etc. I honestly think that I see more videos on crosscut sleds, box joint jigs etc., than for items to be used outside the shop. I guess it comes down to the love of creating. I am retired now, but I loved my job as a toolmaker and design engineer. There is something to be said for seeing something substantial that you made at the end of the working day.

[@mrpete222]

That's a great observation

[@ronpeck3226]

MrPete, I like the "front load" info (History, Types, Uses,etc) It shows us another method. For those who are antsy, simple...fast forward!... As far as Imperial vs Metric debate...Simple, they can either press the button or do the math! The conversion is not going to happen soon... Thanks again, bushings Ron

[@rodwright225]

Mr pete Your a blessing in many ways

[@mrpete222]

😀

[@Cancun771]

FINALLY! I'd been designing one of these in my head for ages.

[@ernestocritzmann8927]

No matter how old you are (i'm 64!), it's amazing how much you can learn! Apart of that, i was amused you have used grams (decimal system) instead of imperial units! Thanks you a lot, Pete! Good videos, knowledge, and pedagogical superb level!

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much

[@EVILDR235]

I have to admit using the weight and bungie cord method at times in the past. I don't have a lathe yet, but i might find some material in one of my hoards. I will probably use a modified drill bit for the center part. Your method of making this tool is much simpler than other peoples methods which is good. Thank's again for your effort.

[@cri8tor]

Great tutorial. Made one of these in college and called it a tap-guide. Thank you

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@tion699]

Excellent teacher on a forgotten trade

[@Wooley689]

This is the bees knees, can't wait to make one or two of these little bad boys.

[@seanoleary5967]

I have to laugh every time you go on about things you used to do in your prime. Insinuating that you did more back then. You do more in your retirement than most 10 people I know have done in their prime. Thank you for being so edutaining.

[@mrpete222]

lol. Thanks

[@gohuskies583]

Nice project Mr Pete. You've inspired me to build one! Thank you for all your time and energy to create, edit and upload these fantastic videos. You are the best teacher!

[@mrpete222]

Glad you made one--thanks for watching

[@jamesfoster7158]

This was one of my first machining projects, and over the years has been the most used of my self-made tools.

[@NoyAtkinson]

I often apply pressure with the tailstock, the tap in a normal long bar handle and with the lathe out of gear just pull the chuck around. The handle rest on the cross slide

[@nitropyro]

Thanks for posting your videos. I will be making one of these here shortly!

[@Fatamus]

From a "HillBilly Sourdough" Thank you for using the phrase HillBilly correctly. Everyone knows what a HillBilly 'are' but a Sourdough as I define it is sour in Alaska and ain't got the dough to go back home...

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@ajl9491]

Praise be ! Tubalcain is coming over to the metric side!

[@fordsure]

Thanks for the videos Mr Pete!

[@derrickbliss4585]

Your videos are very helpful! Thank you and keep them coming!!

[@whidbeyman]

The 'tension' in the bungee cord results in 'compression' on the tap. You and Keith Fenner have in common your misuse of the term 'tension', MrPete. So, you are in good company, but it is 'compression' when the force is shortening the member, and 'tension' when the force tends to lengthen it. Keep up the good work.

[@bosborn1]

Hmmm, other than the flat on the point it would seem that this can be done completely on the lathe. Finally a project I can do without having a mill. I'll just have to come up with a way to cut the flat. Seeing how it's only a .05 cut maybe a file would do it. I'm exciting I really need a tap center. Oh and the one style pointed tap you didn't like is a copy of the Brown and Sharpe design.

[@edwardnorton2012]

You offer very good instructional video's, no doubt about it but DAMN how you go on. Funny though how you remind me of my recently passed best friend that no matter what he was talking about he just had to give every detail about it. I used to laugh at him when he would come over after taking a trip somewhere. He would go into details about what people's names were that he met and on and on about them although I had no earthly idea about those people and also what they wore and why. He was the reason I learned to sleep with my eyes open, just so I would not offend him. Once again, nice video!

[@Ophy-y1i]

Thank you for yet another wonderful and informative video. :)

[@henryeriksson4010]

Thanks for the videos Mr Peterson! Regards from Sweden.

[@shexdensmore]

right before you said both. i was thinking about using weights and then you said how that's not always the best and just shortly before you mentioned the bungy cord i was thinking of some type of spring tethered device.

[@dragman377]

Made one, works great. Thanks for the tip.

[@mrpete222]

+Danny Echols thanks for watching

[@DonDegidio]

Lyle, I've used the bungee cord because my drill press does not have a quill lock.

[@jasonburns1407]

I bet your home built one is better than what you can buy:)

[@Skarberian]

Hey Pete, your intro screen should say Guards not Gaurds. Other than that I really like your videos and your teaching style. Keep up the great work!

[@bobd.]

13:30 I agree it sounds like it would be nice to have those superfluous dimensions but if they gave both dimensions even though they would add up to the total length of the piece then it would be possible to do layout from either end, or both. That would invite errors I think. With everything in one axis referenced from the same starting point it seems to me there is less chance of a layout error.

[@kerrywil1]

multiply imperial inches by 25.4 to get mm. OR multiple imperial inches by 2.54 to get centimeters. Great video

[@davelowe1977]

Chained dimensions are to be avoided because it is best practice to always set out from one datum to avoid cumulative measuring errors. However, in the real world, fabricators will use a calculator to work them out anyway. I always put chained dimensions on all my drawings to make manufacturing easier but I put the derived figure (in brackets) so the guy on the tools doesn't have to work too hard - but he is aware that that number is for 'reference' only.

[@wither8]

BRILLIANT @ the bungee cord hahah :)

[@tedsykora1858]

Please keep doing the asides, or what you call excess detail. I like the detail. If someone doesn't want that much detail they can fast forward. I also like the occasional reminiscing.

[@shaocaholica]

Really enjoy your videos. Thanks.

[@rodwright225]

Love those bunji cords

[@FrancisoDoncona]

I realize these vids are pre recorded but if you take the two commerical followers apart, they may be reverseable. Mine was, point on one end, open it up, cup type inside. Small mod to do that to yours.

[@Blackcountrysteam]

Me Pete please do not go metric here in the Uk we went metric because we joined a club of which we are now leaving but I digresses from workshop is imperial and to most of my drawings so please stay imperial or however you call it thanks for great videos !

[@ElectricGears]

In place of the weight or bungee cord method, I often just release the spring counterweight and the weight of the quill does the work. Although you do need a drill press with a decent size quill for it to be heavy enough to work well. Maybe you could use your scale to weigh the quill on your drill press. I wonder if it would give you more down force than the spring loaded centers.

[@aceroadholder2185]

Given that the inch and millimeter show up in any shop all day long the machinist needs two numbers in his memory as they are used constantly. 25.4mm= 1 inch exactly and 0.03937inch= 1mm (or at least as close as you can measure with normal shop measuring instruments).... the error would be 2mm/kilometer.

[@harryten]

Mr. Pete, when you show the dimension with the caliper just push the button on the top edge and it will show MM

[@kevCarrico]

what a great project -- love it!!!

[@Askjerry]

8:20 - I have one of those... but I didn't know what it was for! Now I do. Yeay!

[@carloantoniomartinelli5418]

Dear sir, there is really no need to convert anything to metric, for the upper scale of your Vernier callipers - very clearly visible in the video - there it is as clear as day. Those who keep pestering you for additional information had better learn at least two things: the first one would be 'how to look', the other one is some very basic arithmetic, else they have no business here. Cheers and thank you for your priceless presentations.

[@mohamed19803]

Really it's great and very useful work

[@rayrowe2664]

of all the holes I've tapped in my life I never knew about a follower to do it correctly

[@ericohman]

13:37 Regarding drawing drafting, whenever you see dimension within parenthesis, it’s usually to save the person looking at the drawing to doing maths, and at the same only define the dimension in one way. Since the dimensions within parenthesis is just a reference, they should be treated as if they weren’t even there or as a personal note :)

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Stick with Imperial please; "if it ain't broke don't fix it"!

[@steveclark..]

When working with small/tiny things I prefer millimetres, feet and inches are for larger things like the height of a person.

[@BKD70]

Probably the best thing would be to move to decimal inches, instead of fractional inches... Problem solved. How's that?

[@cecilmicko6828]

I was just about to suggest using a weight when you mentioned it.

[@binness]

Another good project, thanks for the upload, I live in metric land, but I can convert so no problem, p.s. I know you like every thing to be just so, therefore I have to say your intro splash screen as a spelling mistake, I spell guard like this, but it is your content I come for not the spelling lol

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing.

[@DannyJackson2529]

Great video's. When you measure with your calipers, just hit the metric/inch button each time for those working in metric.

[@billdaniels5957]

Nice videos on the tap followers. Don't do the time laps videos. We find ourselves rushing things to much, sit back have a cup of coffee and enjoy the video..

[@karlvella7627]

I like your explenation.

[@HanstheTraffer]

I made my tap follower on a MT2 taper to stick in my tail stock of the lathe. I don't use a drill press for tapping any more.

[@mrpete222]

That is a great idea, I need to make one of those

[@danhess547]

GOOD ONE

[@aserta]

HA! Thought i was the only one doing the chin thing :)) Man, i cannot tell you how nervous i get sometimes when i do that, yet...i still do it.

[@aserta]

I saw a guy who made a spring assisted clutch mechanism. No idea where the spring came, but i guess it had some force because it gave enough pressure that it could be used in drilling operations as well. The way he'd wind it up, was by disengaging the clutch and turning the handle back. More turns = more force. Pretty neat idea, tho, it was probably something quite complicated, still don't know how it worked exactly, wish i had asked him back then.

[@jimbrideau5802]

At the 8:12 mark the tailstock of your lathe is visible. On the back side of the lathe is the quill lock. At the same location but on the front of the tailstock is a round small knob. What is that for? My lathe has a small knob there as well which comes out. No idea what it's for. Love your videos!

[@ClownWhisper]

This was an awesome project and I really appreciate all the commentary the more the better as far as I'm concerned that's my opinion. Another thing that I do that your viewers may like to try is I make my own Springs. I keep my eye out for good deals on what's called music wire and use that to make Springs that way I have an absolute Unlimited amount of solutions for these little projects. If you need a lot more tension use a heavier gauge if you need just a little bit more use more turns with a higher spread. It's so easy to make Springs when you own a lathe I can't even see buying them anymore. The only downfall is you get hurt a lot by the damn thing smacking you in the hand and man does it hurt. If one and gets away from you and it slaps you on the hand you will get a well if you've never seen LOL and I have gotten many

[@mrpete222]

🤙

[@feldinho]

I like how all those measures fall into perfect millimeters you look at the callipers shaft...

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@JoelHudson]

Lyle, need a power knee on that drill press? 😄 ☕️👍 Just a thought in your direction.

[@motionsick]

I just used a bungee cord last night between the carriage and tailstock on my lathe because I didn't have a tap follower.

[@swellwelder]

Mrpete, just curious to know it you are interested in making a disc cutting guide for a vertical bandsaw? My Doall bandsaw came with a manual that lists several tools , and I made the disc cutter, just by following the mechanical drawing of the guide. If you are interested, let me know, and I will send photos of the one I made for my Doall. Of course, the mount will have to be made for each brand of saw, but the actual guide is the same

[@kevinwillis9126]

Thanks for sharing sir....

[@timhunt7830]

The metric folk should be able to convert it fairly simply to mm. Just take your dimension and divide it by 25.4. Convert metric back too decimal inches just multiply by 25.4 Obviously there’s 25.4 mm in one inch. There’s .03937 of an inch per 1mm. So u can use that number as well but I always found it much easier to remember 25.4

[@mrfrog3350]

Thanks for posting all of your great vids Mr.Pete.. I'm wondering where everyone on YT finds good deals on small lathes.Here in Detroit,I haven't been able to find anything decent for the past 3 years.There are some Atlas,Craftsman and Logans for sale in REALLY BAD shape that go for $600 or more.Too bad I'm not into woodworking-those lathes are dime-a-dozen.Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.Thanks!

[@mrpete222]

auctions, craigslist, ebay--thats how I found mine

[@pco1984]

Just a question, but when you're measuring the spring tension in grams, doesn't that say 5.5 kilo (5500 grams) and 8 kilo (8000 grams)? Also, on the lathe, why not put the tap in the chuck, extend the tailstock and tighten the nut ever so slightly so the tailstock will still slide freely. Push it in and let the machine do the working for you on low gearing. Obviously this won't do when the tap is bigger than the tailstock's chuck...

[@mrpete222]

+Pieter Ouborg it might've been in grams or kilograms, that was a long time ago I do not remember. And yes you can do it the way you suggested with the tailstock, in fact I do it that way quite often. Thanks for watching.

[@ExtantFrodo2]

If you could recheck those on the same scale then you'd know for sure. I was curious and tested the TF I made but it went out of range of the digital jewelry scale I have. So it's above 600 grams. Side note: while I had the scale out I tested my dial indicator. It's spring was considerably weaker but notably uniform from end to end. I think a few people did videos on part deflection from the force of the indicators. That's some serious attention to detail there eh?

[@Shop-Tech]

Mr. Pete. I have to comment on your complaints about the spring pressure on the commercial tap guides. You say you like a good strong spring, but the 2 you demonstrate have set screws in the rear of them and allow for different springs to be used. One manufacturer on those is 'Nirol'. There is no way I want fixed spring pressure in my tap guides. My pressure is dictated by the tap size and material. Too much pressure is not a good thing and certainly bad advise. On softer materials it will cause the tap to over cut and ruin the thread. I welcome your reply.

[@rickd248]

I'm just getting into this and this is the first of your videos I've found. I've already hit subscribe. Thanks for taking the time to make these for someone like me. Perchance, do you have a Brother named Jubal?

[@mrpete222]

Thanks for watching--no on the brothers name

[@commando340]

since feet and inches was good enough for dad and grandad, it is stll good enough for me. i only use the metric system when i am forced to do so.

[@ImranShaikh-im4fb]

nice video

[@timogross8191]

If the plunger is drilled with a center drill on the opposite side from the tip it can be reversed and used for both types of taps.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@mac63126]

Is there a similar tool for dies? Last time I tried to thread a turned item, I did so off angle.

[@JasonDoege]

I suppose that when people ask for metric, what they really want is for the parts to be designed in metric. Screws, diameters, etc. Unless you have the metric tooling you'd need (metric drills, collets, taps dies, hardware and even stock in some cases) then just giving metric dimensions of parts designed for conventional measure tooling and hardware isn't of much value. Be sure to ask people asking for this to send you some gifts of such things! Otherwise, unit conversion is a snap for anyone.

[@edwardhugus2772]

Funny, the 1st thing I thought of was a bungee cord, the weight on a hook is scary....my feet were screaming "NOOoooooooo"

[@machobunny1]

To those who scream, "GET ON WITH IT", there has been a miraculous technological breakthrough. Now this is difficult, but some are able to do it, and it will save you hours of screaming. Here we go: IF you have a mouse, you will notice that there is an arrow that floats around the screen when you slide the mouse around. Check that out. Do you see? OK. Now comes the hard part. Position that arrow somewhere on the bar at the bottom of the picture. You can tell which bar because part of the one you want is RED. The red part gets longer the longer the video plays. No one knows why. But place you pointer closer to the right end, where the red will eventually end up. Now, without letting the pointer move off that bar, use your index finger on your right hand to push the mouse button on the LEFT Front end of the mouse. That is called CLICKING. IF ...big IF...you did everything correctly, the video will instantly skip ahead to the point where you "clicked" the mouse. That's called "Skipping all the stuff you don't want to see." Practice it a few weeks till it becomes automatic. It is most useable on News Channels because there you will need to skip almost everything.

[@mrpete222]

lol. lol Love it, thank you for doing that. You said some thing to viewers that I really can’t say . Love the sarcasm. And that is exactly what I do when I watch the news on KZbin, which is not very often because it is so painful and untrue. Keep watching.

[@umajunkcollector]

I couldn't find one on ebay, guess ya got to make um.

[@umajunkcollector]

my bad, not tap "follower", search "TAP GUIDE"

[@rodswim492]

I use a spring loaded center

[@martineastburn3679]

Science is in Metric and always has been. Always conversion factors to Imperial... I think Aircraft are in Metric and other projects. It is the law but it doesn't have teeth. I use both. If I cut wood - likely imperial. If I cut metal could be either. Depends on the work.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@09turbodiesel]

Mr Pete why did you not use the drill chuck to hold the tap. Then put the top of the key chuck in the hole of the chuck then spin it by hand. your piece will be on center. The drill chuck holds the tap, your turning the chuck with the T part of your chuck key. I have done this for years never had a problem. Instead of your chuck key small piece of round stock.

[@Cheepshooter14]

09turbodiesel That, or power tap in the manual mill?

[@09turbodiesel]

John Paul Townsend Thanks for your comment. I am not a machinist, but learned how to power tap about 9 years ago. I have learned a lot in the past 9 years about machining. It is something a lot of people should learn or at least learn some of it.

[@Cheepshooter14]

I was scared of power tapping for a long time. Now, I can't imagine doing it any other way.

[@skywarn458]

MrPradmaticLee has one of your videos on his channel home.

[@Landrew0]

Question Pete: What do you think about holding a setscrew by mashing the threads a bit, instead of Loctite?

[@mrpete222]

I've done it countless times

[@BisonWorkshop]

i made one of these about 6 months ago

[@jenniferwhite6089]

is their a way to test the steel

[@cavemanengineering8308]

I guess that why he's the teacher and we ain't..

[@PorchPotatoMike]

One dimension missed: depth of the flat on the hardened point.

[@mrpete222]

.050"

[@jimmymymtv2254]

these guys that insist on metric dimensions can just multiply inch decimal by 25.4= MM. why should you do their math for them. I have to divide by 25.4 to find to find inch decimal only fair they should multiply :P I would assume they have a calculator also. just sayin :)

[@mrpete222]

Amen

[@thomaslang7634]

That has to be the noiseest lathe on you tube.lol

[@KyHighlander59]

What is a good source for spring wire? I live in a remote area and I know I won't find it here.

[@mrpete222]

mcmaster carr

[@udowillkomm1173]

I would say use Imperial. We use YOUR knowledge and enjoy Your videos. So, i think, it´s our job, to convert to Metric, if we need to. There are enough tools to do so, and we all have a brain. Btw, i live in a Metric country, and have to convert to Metric.

[@enrohau]

+Udo Willkomm Why do you "have to convert" to metric? In Australia, we converted to metric officially many years ago, and now all us old buggers use both systems. It's not rocket science. Also you blokes (guys) in the U.S. will probably use both systems when when they adopt metric. It's not hard.

[@udowillkomm1173]

Maybe, my english is not good enough. I didn´t mean "convert" in the sense of switch to Imperial. I meant to say, that we have to convert the measurements from Imperial to Metric, in case we want to build the shown projects. For example, here in Metricland, it´s very expensive, to buy Imperial bolts and screws, taps, wrenches, etc. So, we do better, when we "substitute" the measrements to Metric equivalents nearby. That maekes from 1/4-20 screw perhaps a M6, which is easy available.