Radius Cutting Lathe Experiment

[MetalDesigner]

I have seen Lathe Radius Cutting or Ball/Knob Turning units online and wished to make one for myself.



Wanted one that was quick to mount ... and also quick to take off ... so I could easily use my lathe's normal quick-change Tool Post for some of the processes when making items.



Used SolidWorks CAD software to come up with a 'Mounting Design' that only uses 1 Nut to mount the Radius Turning Unit



The Handle unbolts and flips around so Concave as-well-as Convex radius cuts can be made.



Here is a YouTube Video of the Quick-Change:

The handle is temporary and I will use the first test part as the knob for the final handle. Probably will make other changes over time but this works for now.



One unexpected surprise was I found I could also make straight cuts fairly easy holding the handle steady and moving the carriage. Helpful for touching off areas and not having to mount my normal Tool Post tooling.



With the single nut mounting design it only takes about 45 seconds to remove my tool post and then mount this Radius Turning unit with the one bolt. Very stable because it also locks around on two edges of the mounting area.

Here is a Link to a Video that Shows the Concept and making of the first test part:

It is certainly nothing Fancy, but good enough for my projects and what I could come up with by welding together (and then machining on the miling machine) some 1/2" flatbar I had in the scrap-bin.



Let me know if you would like a PDF of the plans and we can figure out a way to send them to you.
(Not sure can you upload PDF documents to this website?)



Here are some close-up photos of the first Brass Knob created using the radius turning unit.



Added the SolidWorks Files to GrabCAD.com
https://grabcad.com/library/ball-knob-radius-cutter-1

Liked the first 'Test' brass knob so ended up putting it on my new Lathe's Tool Post handle.
Click Here to See Photo

CHEERS!!

[kbalch]

Thanks MetalDesigner! I've added your Lathe Radius Cutter to our Lathes category, as well as to your builder page: MetalDesigner's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Lathe Radius Cutter by MetalDesigner

tags: machining, lathe, radius, QCTP, cutter

[Hotz]

Excellent ... Good Cad design. Nice Jig.

[MetalDesigner]

Excellent ... Good Cad design. Nice Jig.

Not the most beautiful tool I have made, but it seems to work pretty good so far.
The whole thing was a test so I can design a better one to be Cast in Iron.

However, I was pleased with the smooth cut it made to create the Brass Knob.

The future plan is to use the 3D-Printer to make an ABS Plastic Sand Mold pattern for the main Turner body and also the L-Shape Cutter Holder. Will design the future version to sit lower on my lathe allowing the unit to cut larger diameter round stock items.

Once have the 3D-Printed split mold will use them in Green-Sand and melt some metal in the home foundry-forge to cast it in iron. Then will machine it with a larger diameter Face Mill Cutter to look better.

It was a fun experiment. The single (1 Nut ) Mounting design was my main goal and it worked out so happy about that.

Here is a Video of some 3D-Printed Sand Mold Patterns I made for Keith Rucker for the 'Vintage Machinery Museum' ~

Thanks for the Note. CHEERS!!

[MetalDesigner]

Added a Video on YouTube showing the Quick-Change from the Lathe Tool Post to the Radius Cutting Unit on a Grizzly G0750G Lathe:

CHEERS!!

[kbalch]

Hi MetalDesigner,

An interesting and useful homemade tool! Your Lathe Radius Cutter is the 'Tool of the Week'!

You'll be receiving one of our official HomemadeTools.net T-shirts:



Let me know (via PM) your size, color choice, and mailing address. We'll get the shirt in the mail to you directly.

Congrats!

Ken

[Captainleeward]

Great tool metalDesigner you got the touch. :O)

[MetalDesigner]

Hi MetalDesigner,

An interesting and useful homemade tool! Your Lathe Radius Cutter is the 'Tool of the Week'!

You'll be receiving one of our official HomemadeTools.net T-shirts:



Let me know (via PM) your size, color choice, and mailing address. We'll get the shirt in the mail to you directly.

Congrats!

Ken

THANK YOU ... Usually the words "Tool of the Week" associated with my name refers to my attitude that week *grin* ... Will have to think about what color shirt ~ White? or Black?

Ended up using the 1st test part Brass Knob on my Lathe's Tool Post Handle... Handle was metric thread, so I used the lathe to cut about an inch off the handle length and thread it for 3/8-16.

The new image with the Brass Handle Knob on the Lathe can be seen at the bottom of the webpage Post at:
Lathe Radius Cutting Experiment | CTM Projects
... Also a Brass Hammer head made from the same 1.5" Hex.

-- CHEERS!!

[MetalDesigner]

Here is a Photo Link for the experimental Radius Cutters 1st Test Part brass knob on my Lathe's Tool Post Handle.
(CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTO)

Certainly, not a new design for Radius Cutting on the Lathe, but a new personal twist of 1 nut/bolt mounting for my new lathe.

CHEERS!!

[kbalch]

This thread has been moved to the Must Read subforum. Congrats (and thanks) to MetalDesigner for making such a valuable contribution!