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| Cutting brass disks from sheet |
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| raynerd:
I`ve been wanting to post this question for a while. Basically, I want to cut disks from brass sheet, various diameters from very small to upto 3", possibly even 4" diameter. Don`t get me wrong, I can easily do this and I`ve done it many times. Hack off a square of sheet brass,, trim the corners, centre drill, mount on an arbour and turn to size. However, I can purchase brass disks at a price - much much higher than buying the sheet of course. These disks come perfectly round, to any size specified and more interestingly, no centre hole! The seller also is cutting these from sheet and will not want to waste money so I`m pretty sure they will not be cut from square. One method would be to cut a square of brass, glue or tape to a sacrificial wooden back plate and turn to size - risky but I know it can be done. However, I know this ISN`T the method being used since the brass still has its protective backing on both sides and you can see from the tare edges that it has been on during cutting. So my question really is what methods would you guys suggest to allow me to cut brass disks from sheet with low material wastage? I can have a centre hole if necessary but I`m keen on thoughts as well for how else the seller can be cutting the disks mentioned above without the centre. One inportant point is that we are talking about CZ120 leaded engravers/compo/hard brass - so can be machined very well, unlike cheaper normal "sticky brass" CZ108. :dremel: Chris |
| rleete:
Disks you purchase are most likely punched from sheet or strip. |
| John Stevenson:
CNC turret punch, do any shape you want. |
| BiggerHammer:
However since you also asked "how we would do it" here goes. Hope I able to explain this. On the drive side of the lathe go with a backing board as you said. However it should not be sacrificial. It needs to be smaller than the size of disc you wish to cut. Place the disc on the "drive surface" and use a bull nosed live center in the tailstock to hold it in place. Now after that failed :lol: I would try to "spring load" the live center so it would push with a constant pressure insuring the disc did not move. |
| mattinker:
I glue the sheet metal to the rotary table with double sided tape via a piece of sacrificial mdf and cut it out with a small milling tool. You could do this on the lathe, but I've found it had a tendency to stretch the edges. You high speed spindle would be very nice for this with a 3mm cutter in it! regards, Matthew |
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