Category Archives: Spool End

A Loss of Concentration

Posted on April 5, 2013 by dave49

This was to be the front spool end of a reel. The very last machining operation is to plunge mill 10 larger lightening holes. It is a repetitive operation; plunge, index 30 degrees, plunge again. But at this radius, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Spool End | 2 Comments

Fixtures for Spool End

Posted on October 17, 2011 by dave49

After deciding that the expanding mandrel (previous post) was inadequate, I started thinking about ways to support the spool end blank at its rim. Axial runout must be minimized. This is what I made and think works well. Here you … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Milling, Spool End, Turning, Work Holding | 2 Comments

Expanding Mandrel

Posted on October 16, 2011 by dave49

I machine my spool ends (vs. spinning or forming) and it is something of a problem to hold them so that all surfaces can be cut. On seven reels to date, I have clamped the 0.75 diameter back side hub … Continue reading →

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Spool Ends

Posted on October 31, 2010 by dave49

Spool ends are a straightforward lathe-made part, if the design allows grip by a 3 jaw chuck. My design has a recess on the back side that lets the jaws grip in either the normal or reversed position. I use … Continue reading →

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