I have a Hardinge Lathe DV-59 and wanting to machine some screw ends where they are current 1/2" O.D. screws down to 1/4" O.D. for fitting into a bearing housing. I only need to finish about 0.40 to 0.50 inches of the end so it's not much machining. Of course, these are stainless steel so it takes a few minutes.
I do not have DRO's on this machine so must go off the dial wheels and of course there's some play or slop in the cross slide. Also, it has a rotary tailstock with holds 6 tools with 5/8" shanks.
What would be the easiest way to turn these screws down to 0.25" O.D. What I'm doing right now is using the cross slide but continually must stop and use calipers to find out how much more I need to take off. Which makes this a lot slower process than it should be.
Is there any tools sort of like an inverted end mill that I could insert into the tailstock which would cut these down to 0.25" O.D. since that diameter will not need to change. Any suggestions?