On Mon, 3 Aug 1998, Tony Duell wrote:
Hmmm.. I have a small lathe (IMHO _all_ computer
preservationists need
one, like you need a 'scope, logic analyser, soldering iron, etc, right
;-)). But rubber is not the easiest material to turn to size - my guess
is you need to take a very light cut...
With a very sharp cutting tool!
That always helps :-). I would also grind a shallower angle on the
top/front edge, to reduce the tendency for it to dig it. A tool that digs
in to the rubber would pull it away from the spindle, and cause it to end
up undersize (and rough!).
[snipsnip]
A trick I have used when faced with turning rubber, neoprene, and
the like, is to fix the piece strongly to whatever spindle you are
using, (lathe, mill, 1/4" drill motor, etc) and then freeze it solid
with either liquid nitrogen or 'freeze mist' from an electronics
parts store... both substances are readily available... LN2 is much
more enviro-friendly, though... and a liter of it is wonderful fun
if you're into science-pranks and demos. I especially like the
super-conducting levitating magnets from Edmund Scientific..
At any rate, frozen rubber resembles wood and can be worked the same.
Cheers
John