Another Ball Turner
Moderator: Harold_V
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- Posts: 1955
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:10 pm
- Location: Farmington, NM
Another Ball Turner
I had a sorry ball turner so I got rid of it with the old lathe; figured when the need got strong enough I would make a good one. My requirements were for it to fit on a quick change post, have a gear drive for slower smoother movements, and use stuff on hand. I really liked the ones using a boring head and since I have several, decided to go that route. With the need for balls for a project, this was a necessary detour. The new turner will take a 2" or 3" boring head with adapters to hold 1/4" square HSS bits. It will do convex or concave radii over a wide range. The large gear is out of a paper shreader and it is missing a few teeth in one spot, but since it does not have to turn a full circle, that is not a problem.
Now I can even make a proper ball handle for it.
Now I can even make a proper ball handle for it.
Re: Another Ball Turner
Neat Russ, Is the boring head threaded onto it's shank/mandrel? I ask because it looks like it would be turning counter clockwise to cut the ball. Any chance of the shank loosening?
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- Posts: 1955
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:10 pm
- Location: Farmington, NM
Re: Another Ball Turner
This boring head has a 7/8-20 thread and the 3" has a 1 1/2-18, I think, hence the need for two adapters.
I clamped the shank between blocks of wood and snugged up the head. There is not a lot of torque with normal cutting so I do not expect loosening to be a problem. I considered some locking options but am not going to go there until I have a problem.
I clamped the shank between blocks of wood and snugged up the head. There is not a lot of torque with normal cutting so I do not expect loosening to be a problem. I considered some locking options but am not going to go there until I have a problem.
Re: Another Ball Turner
That is a nice tool. I particularly like the gear reduction feature.
Don Young
Re: Another Ball Turner
Am I correct in concluding that when using this turner, cutting is pushing the tool toward the
operator, as compared to that force being toward the floor for most lathe operations?
If so, is that of any consequence whatsoever, as long as the cut is always "on-center" relative
to the workpiece?
operator, as compared to that force being toward the floor for most lathe operations?
If so, is that of any consequence whatsoever, as long as the cut is always "on-center" relative
to the workpiece?
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- Posts: 1955
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:10 pm
- Location: Farmington, NM
Re: Another Ball Turner
You are correct in the direction of major forces.
I do not anticipate the different orientation of the cutter will cause any problems as the cuts are usually light. One of the push-in knurling tools would generate much higher forces on the cross feed screw.
I do not anticipate the different orientation of the cutter will cause any problems as the cuts are usually light. One of the push-in knurling tools would generate much higher forces on the cross feed screw.
Re: Another Ball Turner
Thanks for the feedback. Keep up the good work!
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- Posts: 1955
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:10 pm
- Location: Farmington, NM
Re: Another Ball Turner
Side note;
I love having a 1/4" square broach. One of those tools that seldom gets used but the results of which are very hard to duplicate.
I love having a 1/4" square broach. One of those tools that seldom gets used but the results of which are very hard to duplicate.
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Re: Another Ball Turner
how about a closer photo of your cutter grind job????
the gearing is a neat idea!!
the gearing is a neat idea!!
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- Posts: 1955
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:10 pm
- Location: Farmington, NM
Re: Another Ball Turner
Hope these help. The tool form is roughly a triangular end, think blunt threading rool, with a bit of positive rake in the preferred cutting direction. I try to stone a bit of radius on the tip.
If you check closely, this bit has negative rake for the preferred cutting direction, but it was handy for the first trial.
If you check closely, this bit has negative rake for the preferred cutting direction, but it was handy for the first trial.
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- Posts: 2938
- Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:43 pm
- Location: pendleton or
Re: Another Ball Turner
thanks russ that picture proved helpful. for some reason i fought the cutter on this type ball turner long enough that i set it aside and built a different style.
may need to dig it out and take another look
may need to dig it out and take another look