This may not be what most metal workers have in mind but I figure there's room for it here since this forum isn't bursting at the seams :-).

This is another model related project made on the Taig lathe. It's an aluminum rocket nozzle about 5/8" in diameter.

I mounted a piece of bar stock in the four jaw chuck, turned a mounting boss and drilled a 1/4" hole through the center. Then I removed the workpiece and reversed it in the chuck (as you see it here) so that I could do the bell shape.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3739/noz11ek.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)
It's a pretty straight forward job of "removing all the metal that doesn't look like a rocket nozzle". The only really unusual part of the project was that I used a rotary tool with an abrasive bit to cut a portion of the interior of the nozzle...the narrow throat nearest the chuck. That area was really to small to get a cutting tool into.

Strictly ornamental or have you gone reloadable/HPR? Sure is purdy.

Ornamental. I used it for a model of the "Crew Exploration Vehicle" concept for a future spacecraft. I've actually made a couple of similar nozzles. Funny thing is; when I got the lathe, I was looking for easy projects to learn on and I figured those rocket nozzles were a good idea. So I built the nozzles and then built models to suit them.

Funny thing is; when I got the lathe, I was looking for easy projects to learn on and I figured those rocket nozzles were a good idea. So I built the nozzles and then built models to suit them.

You just have to love that answer!
"Hey look at what I made! Now I get to make something else to go with it!"

Great looking work there. This is something that I have always wanted to try.
Maybe after I get my garage built...:rolleyes:

Scott

Nice nozzle I've made a few of those type projects for myself.