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This has been quite a simple, but rewarding build. The free hand turning tool has been designed for the Warco WM240B, but the idea could be adapted for most lathes. This would even work on a wood lathe for turning precise wooden balls or curves.
https://youtu.be/85vgmEoQz6A
Also, here is a close up of the free hand turning tool
Attachment 41173
Nicely designed and cleverly executed, Nigel!
You could also add a profile / tracer attachment as these guys offer for just under 400 bucks:
Attachment 41174
https://www.eccentricengineering.com...turning-system
All the best!
Cheers
Johan
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Thanks editor@glue-it.com! We've added your Freehand Ball Turning Tool to our Machining category,
as well as to your builder page: editor@glue-it.com's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:
<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-freehand-ball-turning-tool"> <img src="/uploads/252306/homemade-freehand-ball-turning-tool.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-freehand-ball-turning-tool">Freehand Ball Turning Tool</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/editor%40glue-it.com">editor@glue-it.com</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/ball-turning'>ball turning</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
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that's cool, would be great from creating brass parts like the chimney cap on the traction engine, thanksQuote:
Originally Posted by DIYSwede
good one !
Good idea, what bit are you using to engrave slots in brass?
Not so much a BALL TURNER as an end-radiusing tool. I wouldn't like to be holding the tool if I made a mistake and the cutting tool dug into the brass!Quote:
Originally Posted by editor@glue-it.com
Hi Bob, hopefully this video and a quick page on the engraving bits will help:Quote:
Originally Posted by bob1275
https://youtu.be/No6pxKv1nPE
Many thanks
Maybe I'm being a bit over cautious in my thoughts but since this holder is not mounted down, I can't help but wonder if the base diameter to the height of the cutter ratio is sufficient to prevent vibration or the cutter gouging in too deep, I'll admit to having never ran a lathe with a smaller swing than 10" and most of my work involves a lot heavier turning.
Hi Frank, the tool can be pulled back so it is completely within the base and must admit that I'm using a very very shallow angle tool with brass. It feels very stable. I will change the chuck over to a collet chuck as jamming it under a jaw with my finger in the way would not be good. My other thought was to back off the belt on the motor to just give me a more...Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank S
However, I've only used it briefly as a freehand turning tool and it is very stable, the tool was pulled back for that. With the radius tool I pushed the tool forward as there is the addition of the radius arm and that does make it feel very stable.
Hope that helps, best regards, Nigel
Just be safe, if you are comfortable with it everything should be apples, 100% in agreement about a collet chuck being saferQuote:
Originally Posted by editor@glue-it.com
Congratulations editor@glue-it.com - your Freehand Ball Turning Tool is the Homemade Tool of the Week!
Interesting little tool and cleverly done!
Some more good builds from this week:
Lathe Milling Attachment by mariost
Arbor by xynudu
Lathe Rest Extension by Frank S
Grout Removal Tool by mr_modify1
Nesting Finish Blocks by Make Things
Pyrolitic Stove by fergiomaria
Gluing Jig by Philip Davies
Bench Grinder Stand by orioncons36
Tubing Swab by Frank S
Go Gauges by Frank S
Cu-Mai Knife by SteelCraft
CNC Lathe Spindle by GBWM
Dimple Punch and Die by Frank S
Tool Holder as Vise by Frank S
editor@glue-it.com - we've added your tool entry to our All Homemade Tool of the Week winners post. And, you'll now notice the wrench-on-pedestal award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...OfTheWeek4.pnghttps://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...eWeekIcon4.png
And, you'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon (US-only), PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and award choice and I'll get it sent over right away.
Nice work! :thumbsup:
Hey Gatz,Quote:
Originally Posted by gatz
I am curious about that clock in your avatar. I tried an image search but did not find anything. Did you make that?
Yes, I made it for our son. The large "hour ring" is laser-cut SS. The minute hand is water-jet cut Lexan.
If you'd like more info, just PM me.
gatz
I understand Frank S's apprehension, though brass and other material that guarantees granular chips would seem tractable. Long as there is a lever of sufficient length to maintain control of fine feed rate, a conservative (tentative) depth of cut would be good insurance.
Despite appearance, this would generate a semi-sphere beyond corners only; dependent on tool form, material diameter, coordinates of the pivot, and of course desired size.
And ummm, avoiding chuck jaws?
Outside comparison to yoke variety of radii fixtures (ie Holdridge), this has a lot of merit. A single recommendation trades shoulder [stripper] bolt for the boss acting as pivot.
I used this radius tool to make the domed door for the miniature Burrell I'm making. The door is mild steel and I would not recommend using it on this unless you are very experienced. This tool is really better used with brass.
Attachment 41226
I had to finish this with emery and wet n dry, but the domed smokebox door on the Burrell I think looks superb
Attachment 41227
