Gallery, Projects and General > Gallery

Tools, to make tools...

<< < (2/2)

PekkaNF:
OK, I have rad this twice and come to conclusion that this is actually two only loselely related tools:

1) Hex R8 block because you can! Ok, you might use it to tighten saw/gear cutter into arbor, but sounds splendidly elaborate for that only, when simple flats on the arbor would have done nicely....therefore I think that you have other plans for this - as the collet manequin hints.

2) Key for the gear cutter....can't really tell if it needs one. I have milled several keyways with four flute carbide mills - looks accessible. Even though many people absolutely hate woodruff key, that looks like ideal canditate for it.

3) Key for the HEX-block....think that dog end set screw should do nicely here. Generally it is really bad substitute for a key when real key needed, but here maybe forces are not that great? I actually don't know because I don't use R8, that taper is nearly self releasing, maybe it does not need much extra help?

I have been reluctant to contribute, because I am not sure if this is any contribution - but I am curious and this is interesting thread.

AdeV:
Well.... I did think that an R8 collet block might come in useful in the future; but beyond machining this specific fixture, I had no actual planned purpose for it. On the other hand, it was a "nice to make" and pretty simple, other than setting the taper (which wasn't as difficult as I'd expected). As it happens, I could have probably just held the collet in the 3-jaw chuck, and taken light cuts. But why do it the simple way, when there's a more complicated one available? Also it forced me to finally dig out another toolholder blank for my QCTP - getting fed up of swapping tools between them, that is NOT how they're supposed to work!

Anyway - why hex: Why not? Other than round aluminium, I didn't have any suitable material in stock, and hex has the advantage it can be held in a vice or a 3-jaw chuck pretty easily. Beyond that, no, I can't think of an real use for it just now... but if anyone wants to borrow it, they're quite welcome :)

So - key for the cutter: I'm also not sure (now...). I was only sure before because there was a cut out for it. But I guess that's more for a horizontal mill, which might not tightly face-clamp the cutter. So for sure, I'll just go with clamping forces first, and add a key if it's a problem.

Finally, the key for the hex block; is just there to prevent the collet from rotating with the bolt when you're tightening it up. Once the taper has a grip, it's doing all the work anyway. For some reason, the slot on my 1/2" collet is shallower and narrower than all the rest of them - but it works just fine in the mill, so it must be man enough for the intended task.

PekkaNF:
I have ER32 square and hex blocks. Really usefull on very many things, specially on the milling machine: Set material end stop or jaw stop to define x-axis location and then you can index 90 or 60/120 degrees in vise and 90 degrees to them with V-block/clamps. Also very useful when in vise AND angle block.

And very good idea to make something to learn new things.

kayzed1:
Just spotted this AdeV. I have an R8 X 1" if you need to borrow it..
Lyn.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page