Gallery, Projects and General > The Design Shop
Poor Man's Keyway Slotter
andyf:
In another topic, I've already linked to this chap's website once today, but he does show the absolute bare minimum slotcutter if keyways are needed in a number of bores all of the same small size:
http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/small-hole-slotting-tool.html
Andy
fluxcored:
No problem, Paul.
Gents, you are too kind for words.
I use a vernier to measure. I think my problem is confidence - all the boring I've done so far showed me that I should start with heavy cuts and finer ones when I'm close to the diameter that I want. Normally I do a million fine cuts and measurements, get impatient and screw up. Reason I want a digital vernier is that it'll at least speed up measuring - I check 3 or 4 times my results which also adds up. Cannot afford one right now though.
What I'm happy about about is that I'm slowly improving and that's mainly due to being able to recognise my flaws and at least know how to deal with them. The help and archived info here helps tremendously for a guy like me, I must say.
I'm never going to be real good or be able to call myself a machinist but hey, where would the world be if people do'nt aspire for greater glory.
Regards
Bernd:
Paul,
Almost looks like the one written up in the August/Sept. issue of Machinist Workshop.
Fluxcored,
Your further ahead then some people that don't even know what a lathe or mill is. So, I think your just a newbie machinist because you know how to use both tools to make something you need. Just keep practicing.
I've been doing this ever I can remember and am still practicing. :beer:
Bernd
madjackghengis:
Not to derogate anyone's fine slotting technique, but lots of keyways have been cut with a hacksaw to do the roughing, and files to finish it out to fit the key. I just had to cut a keyway in a piece which didn't lend its self to holding easily, except it did fit well in a bench vise, so rather than make a bar and cutter for my shaper, I just cut the slot, and filed it to a good fit, and took less time than making the tool, and doing the job. I've used a wedge to lock the clapper on my shaper when cutting slots, but should do something a bit more solid and repeatable, like setting up a set screw on the upper end of the slotting tool bar, so the clapper is solidly locked. The keyway I just cut was in one of the gears in my quick change gearbox, and had a small bore, and narrow slot so would have meant a new bar and fitting a sliver of a cutter. The hacksaw and file only took about fifteen minutes overall. mad jack
Bernd:
Nothing wrong with your method of slot macking Madjack. As long as the out come is what you need. Matter of fact I've used a file many a times to clean up buggered up slots.
Bernd
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