[Metal turning] Transverse drilling attachement

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi Marv,
Yes, I didn't think about that , but why not, it is certainly possible.
But the main issue with my lathe is that I don't have any indexing feature of the chuck, like I have on the wood lathe.
I will have to find a solution for that sooner or later.

Thanks
Christophe

[mklotz]

Hi Marv,
Yes, I didn't think about that , but why not, it is certainly possible.
But the main issue with my lathe is that I don't have any indexing feature of the chuck, like I have on the wood lathe.
I will have to find a solution for that sooner or later.

If your lathe uses change gears it's not that difficult to make an expanding arbor similar to the one I used for my lathe crank...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/l...7799#post37681

and use it to mount a change gear to the left end of the spindle. Cobble up an indexing pin to fit the gear and you're on your way. A similar arrangement should work on the wood lathe too.

[Andrej]

Hi Marv,
Yes, I didn't think about that , but why not, it is certainly possible.
But the main issue with my lathe is that I don't have any indexing feature of the chuck, like I have on the wood lathe.
I will have to find a solution for that sooner or later.

Thanks
Christophe

Hello everybody! My first post.

I'd use some lubricant with MoS2 or graphite to prevent galling on the shaft.

I'd go to a friend with a mill and divider. Drill 24 shallow holes on the chuck around perimeter. Make a jig with a spring loaded locator pin. Done.

Chucks are usually massive, so this will not cause any problem. I have enlarged hole on my 10" chuck for about 1/4" 15 years ago. But I don't do any really massive work on it.

On another chuck I have milled most of the jaws away and welded new supports on ends. Turned to get big diameter seats and bolted on 8" piece of aluminum and cut a hole in it, then cut the whole in three sections. Now I can hold piece of big diameter tubing very securely. I have inserts for several of each standard tube diameter. Something like this is used on pro CNC machines for long runs, but with jaws turned for only one shape.