ball turner done

[d-m]

Hi thought I will post the pic's of my ball turner for you. I have a stack of torrington bearing's ( not sure of the spelling) from automatic transmissions I use them to repair the small windmills people put in their yards. I had this rather large one and I figured it can't hurt I could allways face it off if I did not like it. The tapper on the post that goes into the cross slide is tightened just enough to put preload on the bearing.
Dave

 

[Cedge]

Dave
Impressive bit of workmanship. I had to work within the tight confines of a 7x14 lathe so I didn't have room for a bearing. I had to go with interlocking metal to metal. Seeing yours, I'm just a wee bit envious...(grin). That looks like its going to be a darned sweet piece to use.

Steve

 

[Divided He ad]

Dave,

Good looking bit of kit you have there ;D Looks like it should do the biz ;D Bet it runs smooth?

Have you achieved the elusive ball yet?


Ralph.

 

[d-m]

Hi Ralph
Well no I haven't gotten the ball yet ??? I tried when I finished the tool but yet again not a ball. I got closer but still cutting an ogive. I made the tool holder sorta in a hurry out of aluminum I have a box of round cutters I think you would use them in a boring bar they are drilled and threaded on the end. Thinking this will be a quick and easy I found the right size drill and put it in the chuck marked the piece and took it to the press and punched the hole and then drilled and taped for a set screw. It cuts well but chatters at the center line The tip of the tool is vary pointed so as soon as time allowes I am going to make one out of steel and try an insert type bit to see if hat helps.
Dave

 

[cfellows]

Looks like you need to move the carriage further away from the work... or decrease the swept radius of the cutting tool.

Chuck

 

[Divided He ad]

Hi Dave.

Just looking at the ogive you pictured and following on from Chucks comment, go back and look at the setup stuff in the cone.... post, page 4 I explained how I set it up to cut a ball... There is no reason I can see that if you follow this you will not get the correct shape ;D

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=1721.45


I hope this will work for you? any problems ... we can sort them out


Ralph.

 

[Cedge]

Try centering the cutter on the end of the work piece and then adjust the cutter radius. Once the tool is on the lathe's axis line you'll soon see a ball. I had Tim cutting his first ball within 5 minutes. Hooked the poor devil in less, I did...LOL

Steve

 

[d-m]

Thanks Guys
Wife just bought a desk and it looks like it needs new pulls. Lets see in between working overtime on Friday and putting the hot tub in the new deck ( that I haven't built yet ) I am going to get in the shop this weekend no pressing projects (except the deck) so I will follow Ralph's guide and see were I get . I would think once I get the ball if I index the material the same each time and take care of watching the settings I should be able to reproduce balls : that are the same ?
Thanks guys
Dave

 

[Lew Hartswick]

Like this ? repeatability not a problem.

Hope this has been esized. I had to use IE instead of my prefered Netscape.
...lew...

 

[d-m]

Yes Lew just like that but I only need 6 lol
Dave
NICE
;D