Ball Turner, using a boring head

[8ntsane]

This ball turner is the over the top type. T have several boring heads laying around, so this was my quick and easy way to put together a ball turner. The arbour was a M/T #3, and I just turned it down straight. The holder was a spare boring bar holder for the QCTP, so no point making what I already have. The only parts I had to make, were the hub that attaches to the end of the arbour, and a handle to attach to the hub. I also machined up a holder to use the carbide insert.

Quick and dirty, but why not just use stuff that is laying about anyway?

 

[pdentrem]

Looks simple to make and spare stuff justo laying around is pretty common here as well.
Pierre

 

[GK1918]

Real slick, good thinking

 

[Rbeckett]

Yup, slicker than glass. I like any project that re-purposes material and uses stuff I already have. Excelent idea and use of your stock.

Bob

 

[itsme_Bernie]

You are a slick one 8ntsane - very clever, and great using found-underutilized materials in your shop! Even better, I have the same two spare pieces of equipment!

You are making my "home made tooling" TO-DO list very long man!!!!!

Bernie

 

[8ntsane]

Thanks Guys

When I switched over to the Sidney lathe, my old ball turner wasn't going to work. I figured, I didn't want to build a tool that I would need help lifting onto my lathe. The compound turret on my machine is 8 1/2 inch od, and uses 4 bolts to hold it down.
The QCTP, and boring head is light weight, and will do the same jobs my old one would do. In fact, there was a advantage I found right away. With this type, I could cut balls, and do radius jobs up close to the chuck. My old ball turner allways needed the work hanging out a fair distance, and this isn't good for a ridged setup. I works all the same, and I found no down side at all. If I needed to do a job that needed a large radius, or ball. No problem, switch over to a larger boring head, the arbour s all interchange.

 

[Dataporter]

Very good. Way to go

 

[toolman49]

G'Day,
Interesting timing, I did a similar thing last week, my first attempts were a little elliptical as in your photo but raising the ball turner another 5mm overcame this.



Regards,
Martin

 

[TOOLMASTER]

had to make a bunch of spheres years ago...just loosened the compound and went to town

 

[itsme_Bernie]

You guys inspired me to get started on mine this week!


Bernie