Category Archives: Turning

Improved Cutting?

Posted on January 16, 2021 by dave49

I received a lengthy technical education at Purdue University, and as an astute organization they keep track of me in case I might make them some future bequest. So I get regular bulletins from them covering research activities. One of … Continue reading →

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Third Round, Lathe Bit Grind

Posted on October 21, 2020 by dave49

In two earlier posts, I have shown tool rests that I made for my 6 inch grinder to help with lathe bit grinding. These have been satisfactory for grinding the end and side cutting edges, but are inadequate support for … Continue reading →

Posted in Abrading, Turning | Leave a comment

Chuck Spider

Posted on July 1, 2020 by dave49

I finally sold my Sherline lathe, my first machine tool. I could do this because I have made enough upgrades and fixtures for my newer minilathe to produce all reel parts with just it and my mill. The last consideration … Continue reading →

Posted in Ring, Turning, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Internal Grooving

Posted on June 1, 2020 by dave49

When I first got a lathe, I bought a group of randomly selected turning tools from the auction site. These two were a mystery to me and I never tried to use them. This morning I was browsing through Youtube … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, Turning | Leave a comment

Lathe Bit Grinding, Redone

Posted on April 29, 2020 by dave49

I posted the article “Lathe Bit Grinding” on 1 July 2013. Since then I have arrived at a better scheme, as described here. Bit grinding is somewhat an art and you will find many alternative styles of lathe bit. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, Turning | 2 Comments

Faceplate for Minilathe

Posted on October 9, 2018 by dave49

I was working on a new reel design, and realized that several operations would best be done with the parts clamped to a faceplate. The problem, however, is that on my Minilathe, the carriage cannot travel far enough left to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Turning, Work Holding | 2 Comments

Ball Turning

Posted on July 20, 2018 by dave49

My “standard” bronze frame reel has two surfaces that are cut to a spherical shape, one is the spool retaining screw head (convex) and the other is the waist on the knob (concave; at least, concave motion of the cutter). … Continue reading →

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Leo’s Foot Fixtures

Posted on November 11, 2017 by dave49

Below is some correspondence from Leo. When I have needed to make curved surfaces on reel feet, I have used my mill with either a rotary table fixture or a ball end mill. Leo shows how to do the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Foot, Turning, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Compliance Reduction

Posted on October 17, 2017 by dave49

The problem that I am having with my MiniLathe is that the support of the cutting tool is too compliant. It is really disconcerting when a cut-off blade dives under the workpiece. Chatter is a problem with all types of … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Turning | 1 Comment

Cutting a Steep Taper

Posted on September 27, 2017 by dave49

I want to make a special brass washer, flat on one side and conical on the other. The stock is 7/16 inch diameter brass, and the cone angle is 60 degrees from parallel to the stock rod axis. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Turning | 4 Comments