BALL TURNER MYSTERIES UNVEILED!!!

[Brian Rupnow]

I had a 1" diameter peice of aluminum, and I wanted a 1" diameter ball with a 1/2" diameter shank, about 3/16" long, so this was how I prepared the peice.

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Hot Damn!!! This thing works just like DividedHead said it would. I felt a little skitty, cutting while holding the handle in my hand instead of having the cutting tool locked in a toolpost, but it didn't try to get away from me or anything. Its not quite as easy as DividedHead makes it look in his video, but its not difficult either. I suppose that once a person has used it a few times, it would seem quite easy.

 

[Brian Rupnow]

So---Here's the finished ball turner, with its newly made ball on the handle. Something I did learn, is that its nearly impossible to make the ball with an extended collar on it first, then try to figure out a way to chuck it to drill and tap the internal thread afterwords. I managed a "workaround" to do it, but the next time I will cut the stock to the length I want, drill and tap it first, then mount it on a threaded peice of stock to make the ball. I am very happy with the way it turned out. I will not be posting a video on it, as that is nicely handled by DividedHead. It is not a difficult tool to make, once you figure out all the parameters that dictate the dimensions used to build it. I hope you enjoyed the post---it gave me something to do for a couple of days anyways. now I have to seriously start beating the bushes and find an engineering contract.---Brian

 

[T70MkIII]

That's a great project and very informative thread, Brian. Thanks for sharing.

 

[tel]

Something I did learn, is that its nearly impossible to make the ball with an extended collar on it first, then try to figure out a way to chuck it to drill and tap the internal thread afterwords. I managed a "workaround" to do it, but the next time I will cut the stock to the length I want, drill and tap it first, then mount it on a threaded peice of stock to make the ball.

I've made up a couple of dedicated mandrels to do just that - 6 & 8 mm, which accommodate most of my needs - no doubt I'll add to 'em as the need arises.

 

[lathe nut]

Thanks Brian, you sure put rumors to rest about turning a ball, you have made it look so simple to build and to do, I think now I will have to live to be 800 years just to do your projects, hope work picks up for you but sure is good for us, thanks again, Lathe Nut

 

[Cedge]

Brian
Now.... just to drive you a little crazy....LOL. Here is one of my favorite tools for ball turning. It cuts tangentially across the top of the work piece and from start to finish is about 5 minutes of cutting. It really doesn't need preparatory cutting, since it moves metal like a banshee. Mine needs to be fitted to my new tool post but I played with it a few minutes ago and yup... still one of my favs.

See one here.... http://members.optusnet.com.au/moreshedstuff/BallTurner.html

Steve

 

[shred]

Brian
Now.... just to drive you a little crazy....LOL. Here is one of my favorite tools for ball turning. It cuts tangentially across the top of the work piece and from start to finish is about 5 minutes of cutting. It really doesn't need preparatory cutting, since it moves metal like a banshee. Mine needs to be fitted to my new tool post but I played with it a few minutes ago and yup... still one of my favs.

See one here.... http://members.optusnet.com.au/moreshedstuff/BallTurner.html

Steve

I made one of those out of a boring head and boring-bar QCTP holder a while back. Works ok, but mine has a bit too much slop in it. Setting it up takes a little thinking about as well, but at least it drops onto the QCTP... I'm not sure it'll do concave though.

 

[artrans]

I have one like that also no luck chatters bad for me and it seems there is a learning curve to that style for me anyway

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Hi all.

informative thread here!!

Is there a place that has a complete set of plans for making one of these?

I tried to download one at another place and got a "File Damaged" message.

George

If you read through this entire post, it has a complete set of plans I drew when I made the ball turner that is described in this post.?????????????---Brian

 

[Omnimill]

Great post Brian, many thanks. I've long been thinking of making one of these but been put off as my lathe didn't have any T slots either. Well done that man Thm:

Vic.

 

[radfordc]

I completed my ball turner tonight and turned the first obligatory ball for the handle. Works great. Thanks for the inspiration.

Charlie

 

[ttrikalin]

karma to you Sir,
wonderful post.

t

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Time for me to revive this ancient thread!!! I haven't made a ball with it since the one shown in my last post, on the handle. Now I have to make a 1 1/2" dia. brass ball for my hit and miss engine "load device" that I am working on.