Those chuck wrenches look great Alec! I need to do the same for my 4 jaws, been putting it off for a long time. I even have some of that cold bluing to try as well. Glad to see you put that Kurt vise jaw stop to use! Thanks for the plugs to man!
Thanks Adam, Alec -- I've been a hobby machinist for 25 years, and owned a Kurt for about 4, and never knew what that little bit was for! Great to see you're getting into machining. I think you have a pretty good handle on the smithing. ;)
I always find the videos where your making tools/practical things for the shop really interesting, especially when they’re things we see you using in other videos
It must be so satisfying to make and then use your own tools and accessories for the workshop. You get to enjoy making them, they're useful and make your life easier and every time you use one of those tools you get reminded of where you made it. I bet it's even more satisfying to design and make something that otherwise doesn't exist to help make a certain operation easier. It's one of the huge advantages old, well used workshops have over the newer ones and no matter how rarely you use that item once you've made it you've got it for life.
So I finally got my roommate to watch some of your channel. He builds racing miatas and is a workshop guy himself. Watching the Scottish claymore he had to pause and write down something you did. Using the magnets and calipers for measuring apparently was a great answer to a problem he's been having. Thanks for spreading so much knowledge
Thank you for being an inspiration. I've never tried blacksmithing before, but I showed my wife some of your videos and now we're going to start out as a family and hopefully make some beautiful things. Thank you for bringing my family closer together Alec, I wish nothing but the best for you and your future family!
Blacksmithing, casting, welding and now machining. It's good to see the traditional village crafts being preserved and shared. And repairing and refurbishing your own equipment is a good way to gain an understanding of how -- and why -- they work. Too-many of the old crafts and skills are being lost. I'm always struck by how the blacksmith and too-and-die maker can use his skill and tools to bootstrap himself more tools and more skills.
I love these videos so much. I started machineing about two weeks ago and I can honestly say it is what I want to doin life. The 50 minutes a day just isn't enough these videos help lessen the time till my next class.
Loving these videos! Not only will this mean a better experience making better parts, but there is nothing like the feeling of making your own tools! Keep it up Alec!
Last time I used a metalwork lathe was at school (in the 1970's) and I forgot a chuck key was in when I switched it on. It punched a T-shaped hole in the workshop ceiling. The key had no spring (before H&S arrived).
The rule in our shop is, if you leave a key in and it gets spun out, who ever it came closest to gets to punch you right in the mouth. Only happened once, long before I started. Never happened again.
My favorite thing about Alec is that he doesn’t act like he knows it all. “I learned this from the comments”, he actually reads and takes the comments into consideration.
Being a subscriber since you had somewhere around 50k subs I really wonder how you are able to fascinate me every time I am watching one of your videos. Keep up that great work, Alec👍 Greetings from Germany!
Fascinating to see how much more Rough your right hand looks compared to your left due to how you use them. New to the channel, love your energy! Keep up the great work
Your machining skills have come on in leaps and bounds, it's great when you are learning something that interests you instead of because you must. I guess the frame lock project is part of the reason/inspiration to know more about machining, I can't wait to see what this is leading up to.
Thank you Chris! I am having an utter ball with this machining work as of late. Yes, the frame lock series really inspired me to jump in and learn more!
Your Colchester Student lathe, as far as my memory goes is the same as those I learned on at school in the '60s, nearly everyone I know who can use a lathe learned some of what they know at some stage on one of those. A great tool, wish I had one now. A little pedantic note, the pins are not 'split pins' those are the ones that look like a hairpin, the ones you are using are (In the UK at least) roll pins.
When I made mine, I used a set screw to hold the handle in. That way, the handles can be replaced when they get boogered up. Yours are really, really nice. wow.
I'm a mechanical designer and watching your videos is really nice since all the problems you solve I have to anticipate them. It gives me more experience in tooling use when I design my parts and I thank you for that. Your fails are my learning too ! (By the way... If you need CAD services... I would be glad to make you some drawings ;) )
First video of yours I’ve seen and its exactly everything I need to know to produce a great looking key. Look like it came from a shop not home made. Very interested in the bluing and would love to know more about the solution you used. Keep the videos coming.
I learn more interesting things when i watch your videos they are well put together. Damascus first got me into your channel and ive stayed for all the amazing videos keep up the quality work and videos.
Really enjoyed this and the chuck mod videos. Would you consider making a video/series on just tool making? Would be cool to see the process of making a normal tool like a needle noes pliers or adjustable wrench or the like. I'm sure more goes into it than we all think. Love following along as you figure out things and try new stuff!
Watching Alec make tools for his machines gives me overconfidence in my own projects. Luckily, I am spared the embarrassment of my own ignorance because I don't record any of it or post it online. Thanks for including occasional screw-ups in your videos, Alec: it makes me feel better. XD
I think that Tom Lipton was the first RUclipsr to refer to it as "Mr. Bozo came to visit" His acquaintances among the creators have all picked up the habit... I learned the cruder version - I say that I pulled a Mr. Fumducker... ;) Cheers! Eric
Love your videos Alex. Hey if that coolant is a water based coolant you will want to make sure you clean it off your machine especially under your vise We had a vise at work rust weld to the table once.
Awesome video Alec, I really like the idea of makers making things to make more things out of the things they've made. Also, maybe you could get a little stencil of your touch-mark, that way you can put your logo on the finish when you do the cold oxidizing. Just wrap it around/on the piece, put some nail polish on there, oxidize it, polish/rub off the nail polish. And boom, you've got your mark on something without potentially damaging the integrity of the piece. Something to test in the future perhaps.
Alec, I recommend making two (2) keys for your 4-jaw chuck. When indicating a part it is much easier using two keys simultaneously. Tighten one jaw while simultaneously loosening the opposite jaw to move the part while maintaining constant jaw pressure. Works brilliantly.
Those chuck wrenches are fantastic! A little knurling on the handles would dress them up and make them easier to hold when your hands are wet with coolant.
I personally would have had the split pins horizontal not vertically driven. In case the handles need replaced. You could then drive the split pins out.
Light knurling on the handles would have been an added benefit. Also, a set screw into a groove on the handles would have been a better option over the roll pins.
I love these videos they actually make me feel like doing stuff is wayyyyy easier than it really is. I watched you make a pair of tongs and then I tried to make a pair of tongs using some of your techniques and holy cow I just love how awesome you are man keep it up
1:19 - Totally loving that flute funk at 1.25x speed and there's nothing like the success of making something that is gonna be used on a regular basis in the workplace and looking at it every time and thinking 'Yeah... I made this!'
My favorite lathe chuck keys have a sliding handle (with end caps so it doesn't fall out), so that you can increase the lever arm when you need more torque.
My rule is to never use blind dowel holes. Dowels fail and then the fix is very difficult. I suggest a redesign. Set screw for flexibility. Weld for permanence. etc.
Love your videos and projects, Alec. When building parts/tools, I make them as disassemble friendly as possible. With your roll pins, I would’ve drilled all the way through the part, so you can knock it out, for whatever reason, later.
Brian James You would have drilled through the entire ~4-6" length of the chuck key!?!? That would have not been a good idea. He prob wouldn't have been able to keep it centered, and you'd have to use a really long punch you get it out. That makes no sense. I would have moved the pin around 90°, and had it running side to side.
A Damascus chuck key would just be silly 😜 They look fabulous. Never leave it in the chuck or an apprentice master will appear out of nowhere and whack you on the back of the head . The other choice to lock the handle is a grub screw but there is very little chance you will ever need to get them apart.
Those chuck wrenches look great Alec! I need to do the same for my 4 jaws, been putting it off for a long time. I even have some of that cold bluing to try as well. Glad to see you put that Kurt vise jaw stop to use! Thanks for the plugs to man!
Thanks Adam! Be careful with the cold blue - once you use it once you want to blue every single tool in the workshop 😂😆
Abom79 iii
Blued and touchmarked everthing in sight, that will be your trademark ALec
Thanks Adam, Alec -- I've been a hobby machinist for 25 years, and owned a Kurt for about 4, and never knew what that little bit was for!
Great to see you're getting into machining. I think you have a pretty good handle on the smithing. ;)
When a tool can be used to make itself better is lovely.
Brian a lathe is the only tool that can make itself if you had all the correct tooling, attachments, etc.
I always find the videos where your making tools/practical things for the shop really interesting, especially when they’re things we see you using in other videos
These videos have honestly been a welcome change of pace from your longer projects. Great stuff!
Thank you!
It must be so satisfying to make and then use your own tools and accessories for the workshop. You get to enjoy making them, they're useful and make your life easier and every time you use one of those tools you get reminded of where you made it. I bet it's even more satisfying to design and make something that otherwise doesn't exist to help make a certain operation easier. It's one of the huge advantages old, well used workshops have over the newer ones and no matter how rarely you use that item once you've made it you've got it for life.
So I finally got my roommate to watch some of your channel. He builds racing miatas and is a workshop guy himself. Watching the Scottish claymore he had to pause and write down something you did. Using the magnets and calipers for measuring apparently was a great answer to a problem he's been having. Thanks for spreading so much knowledge
Thank you for being an inspiration. I've never tried blacksmithing before, but I showed my wife some of your videos and now we're going to start out as a family and hopefully make some beautiful things. Thank you for bringing my family closer together Alec, I wish nothing but the best for you and your future family!
Always love watching you work Alec! Whether it's forging or just working on the lathe/mill, you always put out amazing videos!
Blacksmithing, casting, welding and now machining. It's good to see the traditional village crafts being preserved and shared. And repairing and refurbishing your own equipment is a good way to gain an understanding of how -- and why -- they work. Too-many of the old crafts and skills are being lost.
I'm always struck by how the blacksmith and too-and-die maker can use his skill and tools to bootstrap himself more tools and more skills.
That could blueing looks absolutely FANTASTIC!!
That is so fricking cool! Using the lathe to make tools that improve your use of the lathe! Love it!
Glad you’re enjoying us enjoying watching you brilliant as always Alec
That cold blue finish looks great
Ahhh damit i was hoping, you would do sone kind of special forged keys maybe even Damascus.... but still really great video.
A Blacksmith AND a Machinist. Cool combo. WTG Alec.
Proper good work there, Alec. Amazing progress you're making on the machining front
Hadn't watched this video till now but I loved the time lapse on the cold blue. Watched it several times.
I love these videos so much. I started machineing about two weeks ago and I can honestly say it is what I want to doin life. The 50 minutes a day just isn't enough these videos help lessen the time till my next class.
Loving these videos! Not only will this mean a better experience making better parts, but there is nothing like the feeling of making your own tools!
Keep it up Alec!
Last time I used a metalwork lathe was at school (in the 1970's) and I forgot a chuck key was in when I switched it on. It punched a T-shaped hole in the workshop ceiling. The key had no spring (before H&S arrived).
Amen brother!
There's a guy in my class at school right now whose nickname is Chuck key.. . For a reason.
The rule in our shop is, if you leave a key in and it gets spun out, who ever it came closest to gets to punch you right in the mouth. Only happened once, long before I started. Never happened again.
You're becoming one hell of a good machinist Alec,really proud of you my good sir!!
My favorite thing about Alec is that he doesn’t act like he knows it all. “I learned this from the comments”, he actually reads and takes the comments into consideration.
Thank you!
Being a subscriber since you had somewhere around 50k subs I really wonder how you are able to fascinate me every time I am watching one of your videos.
Keep up that great work, Alec👍
Greetings from Germany!
Alec, all of the props for the self taught machining progress. Keep it up!
Fascinating to see how much more Rough your right hand looks compared to your left due to how you use them. New to the channel, love your energy! Keep up the great work
The editing on your videos Alec is INSANE!!!!!! Plus your music choice is just yum. Keep up the amazing skill ✌🏻
I hope videos on the surface grinder are coming up soon! Can’t wait to see you get that machine running and see what you do with it.
Alec you do some astonishing work!!! Keep up the FANTASTIC work!!!!
You're machining skills are gettin to be on point. The handles look great
its cool that Alec makes tools for his machines with his machines
You are the best youtuber that does blacksmithing/makes stuff
Those turned out great! Nicely done, sir.
Your machining skills have come on in leaps and bounds, it's great when you are learning something that interests you instead of because you must.
I guess the frame lock project is part of the reason/inspiration to know more about machining, I can't wait to see what this is leading up to.
Thank you Chris! I am having an utter ball with this machining work as of late. Yes, the frame lock series really inspired me to jump in and learn more!
Your Colchester Student lathe, as far as my memory goes is the same as those I learned on at school in the '60s, nearly everyone I know who can use a lathe learned some of what they know at some stage on one of those.
A great tool, wish I had one now.
A little pedantic note, the pins are not 'split pins' those are the ones that look like a hairpin, the ones you are using are (In the UK at least) roll pins.
Cant wait to see you start working on the surface grinder modifications!
Yes! Ready to see that thing put to work!
I love making your own tools!!! Satisfaction!! Good job 👏👏👏
Now that is more like it. Start, middle and end. Great work pal
Thank you for explaining what each chuck was for, i always wondered that.
You can also use self Centring drill bits so that you only need to drill the hole once.
I often wondered how they were machined, thanks, Alec!
Always so rewarding making a tool you need for a machine or just a particular job. Even more so when it works exactly how you want it to :)
When I made mine, I used a set screw to hold the handle in. That way, the handles can be replaced when they get boogered up. Yours are really, really nice. wow.
every day i wait
and every day i am already exited for a new Alec Steele video
and never ever have i missed one :D
Thank you my friend!
Editing has been especially on-point lately: great job!
Small advice: Countersink before reaming, otherwise there will be a ruff edge at the countersunk hole. - Great videos! Greats from Germany :)
that makes TOTAL sense! Thank you so much!
You help me, I help you! Remain inspiring!
It kinda looks like you're reaming in the wrong direction?
Making your own tools has got to be quite satisfying, love your work mate, keep it up :)
I'm a mechanical designer and watching your videos is really nice since all the problems you solve I have to anticipate them. It gives me more experience in tooling use when I design my parts and I thank you for that. Your fails are my learning too !
(By the way... If you need CAD services... I would be glad to make you some drawings ;) )
That's a pretty big jump from making leaves on Saturday Night. Keep up the good work and the growth!
First video of yours I’ve seen and its exactly everything I need to know to produce a great looking key.
Look like it came from a shop not home made.
Very interested in the bluing and would love to know more about the solution you used.
Keep the videos coming.
Brilliant video Alec! Haven't used a metalworking lathe since my school days but you're really making want to get one to play around with again.
You should! They are a ton of fun!
You're becoming quite the machinist! You are among my top ten picks for the post-apocalyptic survival team.
Awesome job! I figured youd just weld the handles onto the key. Looks nice blued!
Perfect timing! I needed to make some Chuck keys!
Awesome little series that was thanks for sharing Alec 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
You know you make good videos when you can make something as simple as making chuck keys entertaining
video editing has improved soooo much! good job jamie, the transitions are so silky smooth (y)
Holy Toledo! I am lost for words.... thank you for that..
Amazing work Alec! Love all of your content, very inspiring. Keep up the good work, looking forward to more shenanigans in the shop as well
I love your work. It is always so beautiful! Thank you for posting and great job!
I learn more interesting things when i watch your videos they are well put together. Damascus first got me into your channel and ive stayed for all the amazing videos keep up the quality work and videos.
Well done Alec.. looks like your really starting to get to grips with the machining! 👍
Hi Alex, two keys are useful on a four jaw chuck as it makes adjustment quicker.
Your an inspiration thanks for videos . I'm waiting on my bench top end mill to arrive to up my game in fabrication
Really enjoyed this and the chuck mod videos. Would you consider making a video/series on just tool making? Would be cool to see the process of making a normal tool like a needle noes pliers or adjustable wrench or the like. I'm sure more goes into it than we all think. Love following along as you figure out things and try new stuff!
Great work Alec! Now you just need some non-horizontal space to put your lathe stuff on. Keep it up!
Love those cold blued tools.
Tough project to challenge fine skills. Make a watch case and Damascus dial! Blued hands as a bonus!
Please do more blacksmithing!!! I miss damascus!!!
Great job man. Do more machine work. We love to see machine works.
Watching Alec make tools for his machines gives me overconfidence in my own projects. Luckily, I am spared the embarrassment of my own ignorance because I don't record any of it or post it online. Thanks for including occasional screw-ups in your videos, Alec: it makes me feel better. XD
Thank YOU for wanting to watch my screw ups! 🤓
I think that Tom Lipton was the first RUclipsr to refer to it as "Mr. Bozo came to visit"
His acquaintances among the creators have all picked up the habit...
I learned the cruder version - I say that I pulled a Mr. Fumducker... ;)
Cheers!
Eric
Love your videos Alex. Hey if that coolant is a water based coolant you will want to make sure you clean it off your machine especially under your vise We had a vise at work rust weld to the table once.
Awesome video Alec, I really like the idea of makers making things to make more things out of the things they've made.
Also, maybe you could get a little stencil of your touch-mark, that way you can put your logo on the finish when you do the cold oxidizing. Just wrap it around/on the piece, put some nail polish on there, oxidize it, polish/rub off the nail polish. And boom, you've got your mark on something without potentially damaging the integrity of the piece. Something to test in the future perhaps.
I love these machining videos. I hope you do more in the future.
I could be doing my University project, but on the other hand I could be watching this in the library instead. Procrastination always wins.
Alec, I recommend making two (2) keys for your 4-jaw chuck. When indicating a part it is much easier using two keys simultaneously. Tighten one jaw while simultaneously loosening the opposite jaw to move the part while maintaining constant jaw pressure. Works brilliantly.
try getting a mister for the mill. it uses air and a coolant for cooling without as much mess. it sprays a fine mist for cooling.
Those chuck wrenches are fantastic! A little knurling on the handles would dress them up and make them easier to hold when your hands are wet with coolant.
I personally would have had the split pins horizontal not vertically driven. In case the handles need replaced. You could then drive the split pins out.
Light knurling on the handles would have been an added benefit. Also, a set screw into a groove on the handles would have been a better option over the roll pins.
I was thinking the same thing. If you ever have to replace the handle that split pin would not be easy to remove.
I love these videos they actually make me feel like doing stuff is wayyyyy easier than it really is. I watched you make a pair of tongs and then I tried to make a pair of tongs using some of your techniques and holy cow I just love how awesome you are man keep it up
Thanks man! Just keep practicing and it will come!
Great video! Love the weapons but it's been a nice break watching you get back to making tools.
1:19 - Totally loving that flute funk at 1.25x speed and there's nothing like the success of making something that is gonna be used on a regular basis in the workplace and looking at it every time and thinking 'Yeah... I made this!'
I just started watching the video, but in know its gonna be AMAZING.
Great to see you making the transition from black smith to tool maker.
Philip Cable my lathe has a cover over the chuck like a fendern and it won't start without the cover
Ok. Is that a problem for you?
Philip Cable no it means i can't start it while the chuck key is in the chuck as i can't put the cover down
I choose to fix the force lever with screws, suitable for adjusting the force arm size
My favorite lathe chuck keys have a sliding handle (with end caps so it doesn't fall out), so that you can increase the lever arm when you need more torque.
Film your out of the workshop excursions, like to the tool store etc
Would love to see you make something with Mokume gane! Looks absolutely incredible!!
This was almost like a pro Alec good job.pat from Belgium 🔨
All those views and no dislikes yet! You have built a great comunity!
My rule is to never use blind dowel holes. Dowels fail and then the fix is very difficult. I suggest a redesign. Set screw for flexibility. Weld for permanence. etc.
WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA!!!! Extra awesome cold blue but yet NO TOUCHMARK??? Stamp those beauty's Alec!
Fabulous to be here!
Love your videos and projects, Alec. When building parts/tools, I make them as disassemble friendly as possible. With your roll pins, I would’ve drilled all the way through the part, so you can knock it out, for whatever reason, later.
Brian James You would have drilled through the entire ~4-6" length of the chuck key!?!? That would have not been a good idea. He prob wouldn't have been able to keep it centered, and you'd have to use a really long punch you get it out. That makes no sense. I would have moved the pin around 90°, and had it running side to side.
Andrew Delashaw that’s what I meant. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Still a good chuck key nonetheless!
A Damascus chuck key would just be silly 😜
They look fabulous. Never leave it in the chuck or an apprentice master will appear out of nowhere and whack you on the back of the head .
The other choice to lock the handle is a grub screw but there is very little chance you will ever need to get them apart.
Just for fun why don’t you rework that cheap machine vice that you found to be out of whack?
Nothing to loose with that project😀
Great job Alec. Had to make one for my 4 jaw. Don't have a mill...yet, so I forged the square. More than one way to skin a cat.
Using tube wax will help lubricate the bits and help with the life of the bits.
Absoulutely beautiful! Glad to see you mix it up a bit.Damaskus is indeed awesome, but it, as everything else, gets old.
If you dont have a tool make your own one. Great job Alec!
Nice work!! I would of Tig'd them for that "Hey, I'm a welder" look!
Oh yeah! Thanks Alec!
I saw you on TA Outdoors and I'm glad I did. You are fun to watch. Subbed.