Bar support for Lathe spindle
Bar support for Lathe spindle
Finally got around to making some bushings for the left side of my Lathe spindle to support longer pieces of bar stock. My spindle is nearly 30" long from the chuck jaws to the fitting on the opposite end that the collet closer attaches to. I made four bussings for now to support 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and 1" bar stock. I cut an O-ring groove in them, installed an O-ring, and knurled them so they just plug in and pull out. They seem to work just fine, so I'll make more sizes as needed!
I've seen adjustable spiders used, but I believe this is easier and quicker to change sizes as there is nothing to adjust.
Glenn
I've seen adjustable spiders used, but I believe this is easier and quicker to change sizes as there is nothing to adjust.
Glenn
My compliments on your knurls. I have no use for anything less than those generated full depth.
Great idea on the bushings. One I should duplicate in the future. Even when long stock is not a danger, running off center has a way of manifesting itself in the cut. That's a slick way to accomplish the task, and will repay itself many times over if you ever run a production lot of long pieces.
Harold
Great idea on the bushings. One I should duplicate in the future. Even when long stock is not a danger, running off center has a way of manifesting itself in the cut. That's a slick way to accomplish the task, and will repay itself many times over if you ever run a production lot of long pieces.
Harold
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Tool
Supper cool!!!
This one goes goes into my "To Do" list.
Thanks for sharing
This one goes goes into my "To Do" list.
Thanks for sharing
There are no problems, only solutions.
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Retired journeyman machinist and 3D CAD mechanical designer - hobbyist - grandpa
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Retired journeyman machinist and 3D CAD mechanical designer - hobbyist - grandpa
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James,
I had the same concern and appreciate you bringing that up!
I put enough interferance fit on the O-rings that it takes both hands and a twisting pulling motion to remove the bushings. (hence the knurl) I left one in the spindle for a few days and nearly had to pry it out! The tendency for such a bushing to escape is nill as the bar, bushing, and spindle are all rotating together and the bushing bore is .005" larger than nominal to keep bar to bushing movement to a minimum. A little common sense is also required as far as how much bar is to protrude past the bushings
I keep having visions of a pneumatic bar feed system. The next step though will probably be a leg a couple feet away from the headstock with a large bearing in it that will accept the same bushings to be used as a rotating bar support for longer lengths when using collets and my turret.
Since we're on the subject of turning bar....When making small numbers of parts with the chuck installed, I prefer 1' to 2' lengths of bar and I work both ends of the bar. Especially when a second operation, such as hexing, flats. or cross drilling is concerned. I'll turn both ends, then put it in the Super Spacer for drilling, hexing, etc, and then part it off in the lathe or occasionally the cold saw. I'll use two or three short bars to accomplish this much quicker than one long bar.
Glenn
Edit: Usual typo's!
I had the same concern and appreciate you bringing that up!
I put enough interferance fit on the O-rings that it takes both hands and a twisting pulling motion to remove the bushings. (hence the knurl) I left one in the spindle for a few days and nearly had to pry it out! The tendency for such a bushing to escape is nill as the bar, bushing, and spindle are all rotating together and the bushing bore is .005" larger than nominal to keep bar to bushing movement to a minimum. A little common sense is also required as far as how much bar is to protrude past the bushings
I keep having visions of a pneumatic bar feed system. The next step though will probably be a leg a couple feet away from the headstock with a large bearing in it that will accept the same bushings to be used as a rotating bar support for longer lengths when using collets and my turret.
Since we're on the subject of turning bar....When making small numbers of parts with the chuck installed, I prefer 1' to 2' lengths of bar and I work both ends of the bar. Especially when a second operation, such as hexing, flats. or cross drilling is concerned. I'll turn both ends, then put it in the Super Spacer for drilling, hexing, etc, and then part it off in the lathe or occasionally the cold saw. I'll use two or three short bars to accomplish this much quicker than one long bar.
Glenn
Edit: Usual typo's!
Last edited by GlennW on Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
Logan made a form of turret lathe.... regular lathes with turret attachments and lever cross-feeds.
To go with them, Logan also made floor stands with a loop at the top to hold the stock from whipping. Good when you have a 15 foot section of 0.250 stock.......
Wouldn't be very hard to make something like that if you have any significant amount of stock hanging out.......
To go with them, Logan also made floor stands with a loop at the top to hold the stock from whipping. Good when you have a 15 foot section of 0.250 stock.......
Wouldn't be very hard to make something like that if you have any significant amount of stock hanging out.......
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- Frank Ford
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Re: Bar support for Lathe spindle
Really nice work; bet they come in handy all the time!Glenn Wegman wrote:Finally got around to making some bushings for the left side of my Lathe spindle to support longer pieces of bar stock. My spindle is nearly 30" long from the chuck jaws to the fitting on the opposite end that the collet closer attaches to. I made four bussings for now to support 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and 1" bar stock. I cut an O-ring groove in them, installed an O-ring, and knurled them so they just plug in and pull out. They seem to work just fine, so I'll make more sizes as needed!
Added to the database at homemadetools.net: http://www.homemadetools.net/lathe-spindle-bushings
Ken
- warmstrong1955
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Re: Bar support for Lathe spindle
Nice work..... much nicer than my doo-dads, that fall under the 'cork' catagory. Have to improve on that one day.
I do have a couple of these I tossed together: Made from leftovers & stuff layin' around the shop, other than the bearings in 'em that I ordered.
Made two.....for those times I have to open the door.....
Bill
I do have a couple of these I tossed together: Made from leftovers & stuff layin' around the shop, other than the bearings in 'em that I ordered.
Made two.....for those times I have to open the door.....
Bill
Today's solutions are tomorrow's problems.