Machining parallels

[Tim Hall]

When clearing out the now empty parental home, I came across a pair of parallels (bits of ground hardened steel, 7" x 1" x 0.5") with my Dad's initials on. They're from his early engineering career, probably when he worked at BSA.

I'd like to keep them and put them to good use, but not being of a fitting and turning persuasion it's unlikely that I'd use them for their intended purpose.

I thought perhaps joining them with a couple of pieces of rod to make a saucepan stand.

What are the chances of being able to drill and tap a couple of holes in them, or is this a no go, seeing as they're hardened?

I have a mate with drills, lathes and all that gubbins to do the work.

[Blade]

You'd probably be able to drill holes in the parallels using carbide tipped masonry drills.

At work we sometimes used masonry or carbide drills to drill out broken taps.

[Brucey]

a suggestion; why not use a router to make some parallel-sized (but not quite full depth) pockets in a piece of wood, then glue them into said pockets?  Should work OK as a pan stand?

cheers

[Tim Hall]

a suggestion; why not use a router to make some parallel-sized (but not quite full depth) pockets in a piece of wood, then glue them into said pockets?  Should work OK as a pan stand?

cheers

Ooh, that's a good idea. I shall see if there's a suitable piece of wood in the house then get onto my chum the Cheery Chippy for routing purposes.

[aidan.f]

They will rust... Sorry to be negative!

[pcolbeck]

They will rust... Sorry to be negative!

lacquer them with shellac or a clear coat ?

[T42]

Judging from what I have learnt in trying to harden plane blades of doubtful origin, various combinations of heat and cooling can de-harden steel, usually when you want the opposite.  You could then drill it.

[Tim Hall]

Regarding the rust thing, they've been in a tool box in the garage for 60 years and have that old tool patina.

[Tim Hall]

A quick update on this. I found a cheese board in my parent's house, made of strips of various hardwoods glued together. My mate the Cheery Chippy did some router magic, followed up with a bit of chisel wizardry so the parallels were recessed into it about 150mm apart. Dad's initials on the ends of the parallels are nicely visible.

My sister, who was there when Dad collapsed and died earlier this year, was very pleased to receive it as a Christmas present.

Thanks Brucey for the steer.

[andytheflyer]

I found a cheese board in my parent's house, made of strips of various hardwoods glued together...…... so the parallels were recessed into it about 150mm apart. Dad's initials on the ends of the parallels are nicely visible.

My sister, who was there when Dad collapsed and died earlier this year, was very pleased to receive it as a Christmas present.

A perfect tribute to your dad.  Well done.  I'm sure that he'd have been pleased to know that his tools are in use, even if unconventionally!

I have 3 of my late father's woodworking planes, and they have all been sharpened, cleaned up, and when I use them I thank him and have a chat.  I hope my kids will keep some of my tools in service as a memento.

[hatler]

A quick update on this. I found a cheese board in my parent's house, made of strips of various hardwoods glued together. My mate the Cheery Chippy did some router magic, followed up with a bit of chisel wizardry so the parallels were recessed into it about 150mm apart. Dad's initials on the ends of the parallels are nicely visible.

My sister, who was there when Dad collapsed and died earlier this year, was very pleased to receive it as a Christmas present.

Thanks Brucey for the steer.

Any pics ?  (I can't believe there aren't.)

[Tim Hall]

Oddly enough I didn't photograph it. I'll ask my sister, who art in Kingston, to snap some with her phone.

[hatler]

That surely is the defining definition of 'odd'.

[Tim Hall]

That surely is the defining definition of 'odd'.

Heh.


The parallels before.


Shonky camera phone picture


Not so shonky camera phone picture.