Free Hand and Ball Turning Tool

[editor@glue-it.com]

Maybe I'm being a bit over cautious in my thoughts but since this holder is not mounted down, I can't help but wonder if the base diameter to the height of the cutter ratio is sufficient to prevent vibration or the cutter gouging in too deep, I'll admit to having never ran a lathe with a smaller swing than 10" and most of my work involves a lot heavier turning.

Hi Frank, the tool can be pulled back so it is completely within the base and must admit that I'm using a very very shallow angle tool with brass. It feels very stable. I will change the chuck over to a collet chuck as jamming it under a jaw with my finger in the way would not be good. My other thought was to back off the belt on the motor to just give me a more...

However, I've only used it briefly as a freehand turning tool and it is very stable, the tool was pulled back for that. With the radius tool I pushed the tool forward as there is the addition of the radius arm and that does make it feel very stable.

Hope that helps, best regards, Nigel

[Frank S]

Hi Frank, the tool can be pulled back so it is completely within the base and must admit that I'm using a very very shallow angle tool with brass. It feels very stable. I will change the chuck over to a collet chuck as jamming it under a jaw with my finger in the way would not be good. My other thought was to back off the belt on the motor to just give me a more...

However, I've only used it briefly as a freehand turning tool and it is very stable, the tool was pulled back for that. With the radius tool I pushed the tool forward as there is the addition of the radius arm and that does make it feel very stable.

Hope that helps, best regards, Nigel

Just be safe, if you are comfortable with it everything should be apples, 100% in agreement about a collet chuck being safer

[Jon]

Congratulations editor@glue-it.com - your Freehand Ball Turning Tool is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

Interesting little tool and cleverly done!

Some more good builds from this week:

Lathe Milling Attachment by mariost
Arbor by xynudu
Lathe Rest Extension by Frank S
Grout Removal Tool by mr_modify1
Nesting Finish Blocks by Make Things
Pyrolitic Stove by fergiomaria
Gluing Jig by Philip Davies
Bench Grinder Stand by orioncons36
Tubing Swab by Frank S
Go Gauges by Frank S
Cu-Mai Knife by SteelCraft
CNC Lathe Spindle by GBWM
Dimple Punch and Die by Frank S
Tool Holder as Vise by Frank S


editor@glue-it.com - we've added your tool entry to our All Homemade Tool of the Week winners post. And, you'll now notice the wrench-on-pedestal award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:



And, you'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon (US-only), PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and award choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

Nice work!

[hemmjo]

good one !

Hey Gatz,

I am curious about that clock in your avatar. I tried an image search but did not find anything. Did you make that?

[gatz]

Yes, I made it for our son. The large "hour ring" is laser-cut SS. The minute hand is water-jet cut Lexan.
If you'd like more info, just PM me.

gatz

[Toolmaker51]

I understand Frank S's apprehension, though brass and other material that guarantees granular chips would seem tractable. Long as there is a lever of sufficient length to maintain control of fine feed rate, a conservative (tentative) depth of cut would be good insurance.
Despite appearance, this would generate a semi-sphere beyond corners only; dependent on tool form, material diameter, coordinates of the pivot, and of course desired size.
And ummm, avoiding chuck jaws?

Outside comparison to yoke variety of radii fixtures (ie Holdridge), this has a lot of merit. A single recommendation trades shoulder [stripper] bolt for the boss acting as pivot.

[editor@glue-it.com]

I used this radius tool to make the domed door for the miniature Burrell I'm making. The door is mild steel and I would not recommend using it on this unless you are very experienced. This tool is really better used with brass.



I had to finish this with emery and wet n dry, but the domed smokebox door on the Burrell I think looks superb