Not much time to work on machine stuff today as we're getting ready to take a family car trip to Tennessee to visit friends.
I did a little work on the pattern because I really want T slots but didn't like the small amount of material between the dovetail cut underneath and the slots on top which would go crosswise. I really needed a thicker pattern. But a thicker pattern would require a lot more iron and I really feel I'm close to the limit of my crucible, after gating and risering is figured in.
What to do? I finally decided reluctantly to just fasten steel strips on top of the casting for the upper surface of the tee slots, but to mill the lower slots themselves in the casting. This would give me another 1/4" of metal between the dovetail slot and the tee slots.
It also meant I could cast in the lower slot sections, and in fact that would actually lighten the casting and require less metal. So today I milled in some slots and re-finished the pattern. First coat of paint was drying when I too a picture below, just before dark.
This will mean slightly more complicated molding since there will now be a parting line along the side of the pattern. And all sections above that had to have draft in the opposite direction -- so I had to add that. And greensand cores in both drag and cope -- but nothing too deep, so I don't think it will be a problem.
Unfortunately I'll have to wait until we get back to cast the table, so it will be awhile before I can continue here. Anyway, a little progress:
