andremajic
08-15-2015, 07:00 PM
Here's a ball turning tool I made with my lathe and mill. Everything is made of scrap, with the exception of the screw and the carbide bit. The handle was given to me from a co-worker. It came off a surface grinding machine that he used to own. I milled the surface flat, milled a 1/2" slot in it, used the existing tapped hole and made 3/4-16" bolt to fit in it to hold the tool-post. The base has a bearing press fit into it that is a press fit into a dovetail that I made of scrap steel that engages into the carriage where the top slide fits. The tool-post was made from 1/2" steel plate that I rough cut out with a hacksaw and finished shaping on the mill. All you have to do is drill and tap a hole in some scrap aluminum/brass/steel, and turn it in the lathe on a rod that is threaded. When it's done, I use a pair of pliers with leather padding to cushion the ball while I unscrew it. The bearings really make it smooth to turn and easy to move.
146728
(I vacuumed up the aluminum and steel shavings to make the pictures more presentable.)
146736146737
146739Here's a pic of the ball attached to the bridgeport mill. This is my homemade quill feed handle that replaces the bubba'd welded/brazed and bent handle they had on it.
I made another ball to go on my improved ram handle today as well. The handle was rust blued with "Andy's Rust Blue". I am very happy it turned out well and the ability to turn little nubs and cutoffs into balls is very handy. Eventually, I'll mill the other end for another insert so I can turn inside radii, but that's not needed at the moment.
146738
This is the one that I saw on youtube that gave me inspiration to make it. Watch the video and you'll understand how they work better:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cO8vHT3Yhs
He put a lot of thought into his design.
146728
(I vacuumed up the aluminum and steel shavings to make the pictures more presentable.)
146736146737
146739Here's a pic of the ball attached to the bridgeport mill. This is my homemade quill feed handle that replaces the bubba'd welded/brazed and bent handle they had on it.
I made another ball to go on my improved ram handle today as well. The handle was rust blued with "Andy's Rust Blue". I am very happy it turned out well and the ability to turn little nubs and cutoffs into balls is very handy. Eventually, I'll mill the other end for another insert so I can turn inside radii, but that's not needed at the moment.
146738
This is the one that I saw on youtube that gave me inspiration to make it. Watch the video and you'll understand how they work better:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cO8vHT3Yhs
He put a lot of thought into his design.