Re: ATM Altitude Trunions - how to make

["Mike Marchand" <marchanm@kent.net>]

On  Thu, 25 Jun 1998 , John  ( Jmkasunich@ra.rockwell.com )  
responded to:

> >Can you suggest a robust way to build and mount the
> >trunions directly to my sonotube?

> IF you have a table saw AND the radius you want to mill
> is the same as or smaller than the radius of your saw
> blade, this isn't difficult.  I made wood side plates
> for my 4" f/4 RFT this way (6" PVC tube).  Here's a short
> description - if you are interested, mail me privately
> for the details.

 I ended up choosing pvc rings for  mounting to my pvc tubed RFT.

 Cut them off the tube itself or could use smaller diameter tube.
 Glued them on with CPVC cement.

 I simply wrapped the outside of the tube with a strip of 
course sanding belt and sanded the inside of the trunnion against it 
to match the curve. Too darn fast and easy to bother using a power 
tool this way! A little care and you can make the trunnion sit nice 
and perpendicular to the tube like it should.

 To finish with a wood face for the trunnion I cut some disks out of 
my favourite wood with a router to fit inside them. This makes a 
great place to hide your extra $100 bills behind the wood circle <g> 
, or, alternatively, a good spot to stick your name and phone number 
should you happen to like personalizing your finished scopes with 
some ID...

> Be very careful!! - this trick isn't particularly risky,
> but you do have to run your saw with the guard removed.
> During most of the cut, the blade is under the workpiece,
> but you want to be very sure of where it will come back
> out, and use a push stick or block.

 Speaking as a person of infinite (bad) luck who ran a finger 
straight into a table saw blade (at least I got it down the middle of 
the bone lengthwise so it looked kinda funky for a while!!) all 
I can say is the lesson I learned was this: Whenever I remove the 
guard I'll procede to spend 99% of the "cutting time"  making a 
safe jig (or several) that keeps fingers clear of the blade. The 
jig(s) hold the wood. The hand is kept well clear of the blade and 
the workpiece!

 Sorry if this sounded preachy, you probably do something similar...

> If this is not perfectly clear, then DON'T DO IT. 

 Sage advice.   :-)

> John Kasunich

 Clear skies,

 - mike
 marchanm@kent.net

 Some people say "Good ol' Mike".
 Others know better...