Newbie help please: can I do this with my lathe?

[jgourlay]

I have a 12" Atlas/Craftsman that I use for wood turning. However, it is in good shape. My metal working experience consists solely of turning 2 bars to assure I had the ways level. I measured diameter on the two 12" bars every .25" and found that diameter was constant within .002" down the length of the bar and that there was no statistically significant difference between the headstock and tailstock ends of the bar. So...I think I got a good one.

What I would like to do is take some hex key stock, probably 1/16" or 3/64" across the points, and cut them into .25" or .375" lengths. Then I'd like to thread them 25% of the way up the length, leave 25% of the length as hex, then turn (or grind) the last 50% of length into a sharp point.

Currently I have the 4 jaw independent and 3 jaw scroll chucks, an Aloris STYLE QC toolpost, and that set of positive rake carbide insert tools from Grizzly. I do also have the original Atlas 'lantern' toolpost, dead ctr for the head and tail stocks, and dog.

Can I do this on my lathe? What sort of tooling would I need and what schedule of operations would you recommend?

Also, I have the milling attachment for this lathe. What is the procedure for setting it up such that the transverse travel is accurately plumb to the lathe axis?

[pug]

That is a tough one for starters. Unhardened key stock should fit in your 3 jaw centered and the cutting to length operation would be last I would think. Small pitch thread for that diameter and I have never had grizzly threading inserts do small pitch threading very well. Bought a mini systems threader and cutoff tool for that. Are you sure you can't use a bolt and screw a 1/4" hex standoff onto it and lock it down?