Home Machinist's Journal

Picked up a vintage Milwaukee Rice Die Filer at an estate sale. Ugly rusty but not pitted. Motor works and all turns by hand. However, no overarms. It's an older model of the Milwaukee I have and use. Started making patterns of the arms so I can attempt to cast arms.

Here is the question.....
Anyone here have opinions on material?
I've not done aluminum bronze. But based on what I've been reading it might be a good option. Trying to get the percentages optimal may be difficult with the scrap material I tend to use.

Anybody have thoughts or experience with this adventure?

Daryl
MN

I don't know why I didn't see this when you first posted it, but I just found it now.

No experience with aluminum bronze but I would think that it would be a close second to cast iron. Considering that you cannot currently pour a cast iron part, aluminum bronze might just be the best bet under the circumstances.

:smiley_coins:

I also hadn't seen this earlier, it says it was started on the first. And like Terry, I have no experience with the material discussed but would love to watch the process.

You want to cast the overarm? It's basically just a guide, correct? All it's doing is to keep the top of the file stationary, correct? What about pouring aluminum? And making any wear points out of steel?

I have a die filer and without the overarm. Since I'm filing stuff only 1/8" or thinner. The file deflection isn't noticed on the project. Sooo I'm still happy. I suppose if I was to file something 1" thick, different story.

Chips,
Valid point.
Thanks.
Daryl