Swivel keyring (Doesn't Glow in the Dark)

[DaveH]

Part 1

This was first done to show new guys to machining especially the lathe how to make something. Using different lathe operations and a single carbide insert tool.
This is how I went about making it. It is important to realize this is my way, it is not necessarily the right way.
There are many right ways to do the job right.
Sit back and enjoy.
This is what I am going to make, No…. the brass bit. not the callipers.


Here are the materials.
Some stainless steel (free cutting) 14mm dia
Brass hex 12mm
Round brass 14mm dia


Here are the 3 components that make up the swivel keyring.
Starting at the left the ‘end cap’, ‘swivel’, and the ‘body’


I started with the hex brass to make the body.
Faced the end.
Notice the brass shim material to protect the brass.


Then it was chamfered at about 45 deg. I just turned the tool around and fed it in slowly, I also reduced the spindle speed to about 500 rpm.
I didn’t want any chatter marks.


And this what I ended up with.


Mmmmm ….. didn’t like the 45 deg chamfer so I changed it to about 30 deg.
Did it again



I didn’t want a pointy bit on the end so that went.


A bit of gentle use of emery cloth (fine).



Now we cut it to length
A quick estimate, and mark.


Cut, that’s the finished body length – roughly.


A quick rub on some fine emery to get rid of any burs.


And it’s back to the lathe to machine the other end.
Faced and ready to be spotted.


A hole was first drilled (6mm dia) then a 10mm dia hole with a 10mm end mill about 6mm deep.



So that bit is finished for now and can be taken out of the lathe and put on one side.
Still needs a bit of cleaning up, but I’ll leave that until later on.


Part 2 to follow.

DaveH

[DaveH]

Part 2

Making the swivel.
That’s the bit in the middle, I found some 10mm dia stainless (free cutting) so I will be using that, and not the 14mm dia shown above.
It is not very big about .25”dia  by .5 long with a 10 mm dia bit on the end.


In to the lathe and faced.


Now I gave it a good rogdering  with some emery. This 10mm dia has to go in quite free into that 10mm dia hole in the brass body.
I need to turn a length of about 12mm  down to 6mm dia. Now I felt that it was sticking out of the chuck too far, no problem – loosen the chuck push it in – tighten the chuck. We are not working to thou’s so it really doesn’t matter.
Tuned down to 6mm dia.


Now I am going to put a radius on the end
First cut at 45 deg The cutting edge of the tool


The next cut is at about 20 deg


And the final one at about 70 deg


We end up with this


Now attack it with emery cloth to get it round. [You may wish to start with a file – your choice]
After a bit of fine emery.


Take it out of the lathe – this is what I have. Ignore the step on the back – just a piece out of the “scrap bin”


Over to the drilling machine in my case RF 30.
The colour is a bit funny because the camera was set to fluorescent and the illumination was from a halogen lamp.
The vice colour is actually grey!
When dealing with small pieces it is sometimes best to leave it still on the big bit. Makes it easier to hold.


Using a small centre drill to start.


I first drilled the hole (carefully) with 2mm drill
Finished drilling with a 2.5mm drill. A hole large enough to take a “ring” for the keys to fit on.


Now I can cut it to length (roughly), too long because I can trim it to length in the lathe later if needed.


This is it nearly finished – may have to trim the overall length.



Part 3 to follow

DaveH

[DaveH]

Part 3 the final part.

The “end cap,” the part on the left hand side.


Faced and then drilled a 6.1mm dia (in my case) hole. I drilled it about 15mm deep.


Check to make sure the swivel will go in.


I turned down the end of the 14mm dia brass to 10mm dia by about 4 mm long.
Chamfering the previously 6.1mm dia drilled hole.


Checked to make sure the body will go on.


At this stage you can part it off, or just hacksaw it off, put it back in the lathe to clean up the face. Use a little emery in the hole to get rid of any burrs.


Now we have all 3 parts, time to see if they all fit.


No not quite – see a small gap


I reduced the length of the swivel, (faced it off in the lathe) use some brass shim so the part isn’t damaged
There we go fits!


I used loctite to fix the parts together. The nut allows me to hold the parts together in the vice without touching the swivel. Now you have to be a little careful with the Loctite just use a small amount around the step on the “end cap”
Check to make sure the swivel swivels. If the swivel accidentally gets stuck, well that just means you have a swivel key ring without the swivel – still good as a key ring.


After the loctite has cured can be put back in the lathe (don’t forget the brass shim) to shape the end.
The top slide / compound slide is set over at about 45 deg. Being careful not to stuff up the swivel.
This is after a few cuts


After the final cut.


Clean up with some fine emery cloth


There it is


I tend to use wet & dry paper to get a nice finish. Started with 400 finished with 1000.


Finished on a buffing wheel.





That’s it folks.

Now Ralph is going to make one and with a bit of smart milling it will look like an old type lantern that glows in the dark.

Not a single micrometer was injured,hurt or even used in the making of this swivel keyring

 
DaveH

[DaveH]

Hi
Now that must be one of the most boring one shot post in a long time - sorry 
 
DaveH

[Stilldrillin]

Hi
Now that must be one of the most boring one shot post in a long time - sorry 
 
DaveH

Dave........  That's not quite true! 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching you machining a simple, useful, widget. 

Well done. Thanks for showing! 

David D

[Divided he ad]

Very nice machining Dave 

I like the idea of getting a swivel in there... Food for thought...

I really like the machining the plug down to make it reach the hex.... All the way down I was thinking of milling or filing it into hex shape!! 

"A bit of smart milling" eh?!! Think it'd take quite a lot to get a lantern.... Not saying I won't give it a go though!  sounds so very much like a challenge     

I'd say a very good starter project if you ask me 



Thanks for posting it... I was thinking I was the only guy who liked keyrings/fobs 




Ralph.




P.S.  You could easily get some GID resin in there somewhere...