The tool used for the turning is my parting tool.
The end of the blade has been ground in a semi circle, so that I get rounded corners at both ends.
The rounded corners make for a stronger rod.
The keen observers amongst you will note that one rod is better than the other in this respect :-)
Still they both look nice and shiny.
Set up in the three jaw chuck. You might note that the con rod is slightly proud of the chuck, this is done to allow me to true the end of the con rod by tapping with my trusty "Ammer".
Keep turning the chuck by hand, use a tool close to the surface to check , then tap and check, tap and check.
Once the con rod is "trued" as closely as possible, the turning can begin.
Set the cross slide to follow the angle of the rough casting as closely as possible so that you get a nice taper.
You can also do this between centres, by offseting the tailstock the appopriate amount, but then you have to remember to re-center the tailstock when you have finished.
Two connecting rods ready for a bit more machining.
The conrods are provided as cast brass moldings, they are nice quality, but do need quite a bit of machining to get them to look really nice.
The moldings cut nicely and the casting is well done with no blow holes.
These have been turned between centres to provide an accurate spigot for later turning procedures.
