Using the micro McNaughton blades

[n7bsn]

If you have the micro blades, and the older standard gates (all pre Mk-8 I believe), you will note that the blades are too narrow to safely use with these gates. While the main tool post of the Micro gate is too short to use a Micro gate on a standard size lathe.
I noticed that the standard gate's small tool posts are 5/8' dia, just the right size for 5/8 ID clear (flex) tubing. Using a short piece of this tubing gives me one opening in the gate that is the right width for the micro blades.
This allows me to use the smallest of the Micro blades, which have a smaller radius then any of the Mini or Standard blades.

 

[john lucas]

I've thought about modifying my gate with one bar that has an off center tenon and a way to screw it down so you could adjust the gate. I have several cutters, some home made and the metal isn't the same thickness. If I do get around to it I might also make bushing for the gate pins so the cutter more or less rolls through the gate. This would allow me to make the gate a snug fit using the eccentric adjustment. Might be a project for this summer.

 

[Steve Worcester]

maybe copper tubing would be easy to press over the pins to take up the slack?