Filing Machine

[rossbotics]

I built this filing machine for the sole purpose of being able to file 90 degrees from a flat surface and to maintain that squareness no matter what shape or geometry I'm filing, I have used filing machines in different shops years ago and loved them, I do a little gunsmithing from time to time and everyone knows how intricate these little parts can be, You can only do so much with a conventional Milling Machine, Unless you have a CNC Mill which I don't have !!! So this was my only alternative.
It doesn't have an overhead support for the file because the thickest material I'll be filing will never exceed .250"
I made a ball and socket to hold any shape file, the ball and socket also allows me to square the file with the table very accurately, the crankshaft has a 1.250" stroke,

Below are some photos

Thanks for looking and Happy Machining

Doug




Above shows all the machined and finished pieces before assembly



Above shows the ball with a file in it, the socket is to the left of the file, the knurled nut is to the right of the file, all made from 4140 then heat treated and polished



Above shows the file inserted into the ball and socket with a knurled retaining nut, the socket and nut both have the same radius machined into them as the ball



Above shows the machine housing, fabricated from 1018 CRS, painted Rust-Oleum black hammered finish, the file assembly is just sitting on top



Above shows the crankshaft installed into the housing, the crank is supported by two R10 sealed ball bearings



Above shows the housing with the crankshaft and bronze linear bearing fitted over the crank pin, the crankshaft was made from 2" round pre-heat treated 4140, the crank pin is a hardened 3/8" dowel



Above shows the linear bearing housing which is 4140 heat treated steel, slipped over the bronze bearing with the vertical shaft locked into the bearing housing by two 5/16" set screws



Above shows the housing with the file holder installed on the vertical shaft, the precision ground table is ready for installation, the table was made from .500" X 6" X 10" 1018 CRS



Above shows the machine completely assembled with it's motor and switch sitting on a cherry wood base



Above shows another view of completed machine

Here is a link to the you tube video of the machine