Parting or cutting off steel has always been a challenge on my lathe.
Issues range from heavy chatter to broken inserts and tools which end up stalling the motor and sometimes damaging the work done on a part.

Today we're making a solid tool post mount to replace the compound (top slide). The compound on small lathes is known to have rigidity issues and that's what we're looking to upgrade.

#lathe #diy #machineshop

Have a look at these other videos that served me as inspiration for mine:
Robin Renzetti's:    • THE SOLID TOOL POST MOUNT  
Phil Vandelay's:    • 7 Mods and Improvements for a Metal L...  
Stefan Gotteswinter's:    • Emco Super 11  Tailstock, Guarding a...  

Timestamps:
00:00 The why
01:07 Squaring crossslide register slots
02:23 (Kind of) Squaring a cast iron block
03:24 Solid mount registration feet
05:25 Improving top/bottom parallelism
07:20 Machining angled ends
07:48 Fitting the Quick Change Tool Post
11:20 Cold blueing
11:36 Replace the compound with the Solid Tool Post Mount
13:27 Parting off tests (12L14, 4140, 304 stainless)