Some of you may recall from this thread:

La Pavoni + PID = better temperature control?

... that user Erics was kind enough to send me an M12 adapter for my PID La Pavoni project (thanks again Eric!). Since then, I have been using the adapter on my machine with great success.

The other day, however, someone (by the name of Lubo) contacted me via e-mail - after seeing a few of the La Pavoni videos I have on YouTube. He is currently rebuilding a La Pavoni of his own and had a few questions, etc. Anyway, to make a long story short, he needed an adapter for his machine. The problem, however, was that his machine had (as far as we can determine) the M11 x 1.00 mm size threads, not the M12 x 1.00 mm size.

After some back and forth, I offered to make a custom adapter on my lathe for him (since I need to make one for my own machine anyway). Or, if he preferred, I said I would be happy to re-thread one of the ones Eric sold. After some more back and forth, I told him if he wanted to spring for an M11 x 1.00 die off ebay, I would be happy to just re-thread the adapter Eric sent me and send it his way.

Tonight the die from ebay arrived, so I set about re-threading the adapter. I'm posting the photos here so Lubo can see the work - and also in case it's beneficial to anyone else down the road, who might have a La Pavoni with the M11 x 1.00 mm thread size.

Ray


Getting ready to turn down the M12 threads on the Taig lathe


Cutting the old 12mm threads off


Checking the progress. 11mm threads have a major diameter of 0.433" and a minor diameter of about 0.355" - gonna need a few more passes with the cutting bit.


That's pretty close. When cutting new threads, it's better to be a little over, than a little under. Usually the die will strip off the extra few thousands without much problem.


Putting a new chamfer on the nose of the adapter (which will help the die start also). I'll also re-chamfer in this area after cutting the 11mm threads.


Ready for threading...


Using the Taig's tail stock as a squaring jig for the die - this ensures the die starts properly and that the threads are square, etc.


Cutting the new threads by turning the chuck by hand and holding the die stock against the edge of the lathe (with a rag of course, so as not to ding the bed).


As far as cutting the new threads, that should about do it. Now just need to smooth things up a little bit with a file, some sand paper, etc. As mentioned, I also re-chamfered the leading edge in order to help avoid pulling the top thread when the adapter is torqued down.


Verifying the major diameter


Checking the pitch with a 60 degree metric thread gauge.


And here's the final result after a little finish work and some clean up - an M11 x 1.00 mm adapter.

Erics adapter gets a face lift!

Tonight I modified the Autometer 2266 gauge adapter, that Eric originally sent to me (and which now belongs to Lubo - a fellow La Pavoni owner, who is in the midst of rebuilding his machine). In e-mailing with Lubo, we decided to trim down the threads a bit (for a better fit). I also offered to dress up the adapter a little bit at the same time for him.

Here's the end result:



I think I got a little carried away on the lathe, but I'm very pleased with how it looks (it might even look better than the one I made for my machine!). Hopefully the fit is right on the money

Ray

and here's a video clip:

Beautiful job Ray. Thanks for the detailed documentation in your threads.

Clint Orchuk wrote:Beautiful job Ray.

Thanks man!

Ray