Smokebox saddle update!

[Steve Shyvers]

Last weekend I finally got the smokebox saddle machined using my 
homemade boring bar and fixture to hold the workpiece. Cutting the 
circular saddle took about 45 minutes or so because of the light cuts 
required. I did the work in two sessions because of no power feed on the 
lathe.

The results were better than I hoped. I could have shaped the tool bit 
better to give a smoother cut, but the cut surface will be hidden 
against the bottom of the smokebox. I am just happy it came out 
symmetrical and unskewed, which were my main concerns. The job sort of 
tested the rigidity of the Taig lathe. With light cuts on aluminum it 
was just rigid enough to accommodate the lever arms created by the 
boring bar and fixture.

Thanks to Keith and Arthur especially for their advice encouragement.
Steve