MadModder

Gallery, Projects and General => How to's => Topic started by: 75Plus on February 23, 2011, 09:09:51 PM

Title: Using the Ball Turner on Short Workpieces
Post by: 75Plus on February 23, 2011, 09:09:51 PM

There have been times that I wanted to put a ball end on a short workpiece but the turner ran into the chuck. Here is how I solved the problem.

I made a sleeve with an R-8 taper to fit the collets that I have for my mill. Once I had finished the taper I placed a 1/2" collet in the sleeve and a piece of 1/2" material in the collet. I used a rotating center to apply clamping pressure so I could turn the outside to ensure that it was concentric. I can now turn a ball on a workpiece that is little more than twice the diameter of the ball in length.

The material used was a piece of heavy wall pipe, Schedule 80 in the US, approx. 6 inches long. The wall thickness is .133" which was enough for the taper but I had to press a reducer bushing in the other end so I could bore it for the .950" end of the collets. I then made a cap to close the end and provide support for the 7/16" bolt used as the drawbar.

Here is what it looks like.

(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/AlveyJoe/100_2624.jpg)

(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/AlveyJoe/100_2623.jpg)

(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/AlveyJoe/100_2629.jpg)

Joe

Title: Re: Using the Ball Turner on Short Workpieces
Post by: Gerhard Olivier on February 24, 2011, 04:25:13 AM

That will be handy for a lot of other uses as well

Gerhard

Title: Re: Using the Ball Turner on Short Workpieces
Post by: No1_sonuk on February 24, 2011, 08:19:14 AM

Nice.
It might be worth getting/making some collets just for this use.  :thumbup:

Title: Re: Using the Ball Turner on Short Workpieces
Post by: Divided he ad on February 24, 2011, 04:26:03 PM

I'm liking that Joe  :clap: 


Another 'round tuit list' project added!





Ralph.

Title: Re: Using the Ball Turner on Short Workpieces
Post by: 75Plus on February 24, 2011, 04:43:06 PM

Quote from: Divided he ad on February 24, 2011, 04:26:03 PM

I'm liking that Joe  :clap: 

Ralph.

Ralph, I have ordered a set of carbide tipped boring bars one of which I intend to use as the cutter. I believe I can stand it vertically so the cutting head will be much smaller than you could make it if you have to clamp the tool bit. I will post my results once I get the project completed.

Joe