My first turner's cube

[DMS]

I actually managed it, first time, though I did manage to mangle one face of the inner cube through my impatience. I was grinning like an idiot when I pulled it out of the lathe. The inner cube is about 0.5", outer cube is 0.75". It is displayed nestled in the mouth of a standard 12oz beer bottle (containing my reward for a job well done).

 

[PurpLev]

I actually managed it, first time, though I did manage to mangle one face of the inner cube through my impatience. I was grinning like an idiot when I pulled it out of the lathe. The inner cube is about 0.5", outer cube is 0.75". It is displayed nestled in the mouth of a standard 12oz beer bottle (containing my reward for a job well done).

nicely done... I think it deserves at least a 16oz though.

 

[Ground Round]

Good job. I'll bet you will be making more of them for christmas . Thanks for sharing,Guess its my turn.

 

[churchjw]

Nice job. Especially once you realize the small size. :drink2:

Jeff

 

[randyjaco]

That is very interesting and well done. What is the process for making a turner's cube? It looks like a great project.

Randy

 

[DMS]

Ther are more detailed descriptions if you check google, but for the simple one I did the gist of the process is to bore a conical hole into each side of the cube until the remainder in the middle is no longer connected.

 

[randyjaco]

Was yours done on a manual or CNC?

Randy

 

[DMS]

This was on a manual lathe (7x12 minilathe) in a 4 jaw chuck, though the blank was squared on my milling machine before starting. I used a center drill, followed by a small twist drill. I then removed the bulk of the material with a 1/2" 2 flute end mill held in the tailstock chuck. I used a dial indicator held against the drill chuck to get the depth just right. To bore the hole I used a 1/8" tool ground to a sharp angle (probably 20-25 degrees). There was a bit of chatter. If I do it again I would probably use a 1/4" tool and grind slightly differently.

EDIT

I also found after doing a couple sides with soda can jaw protectors and marring the surface that 1/8x3/4 aluminum angle makes perfect protectors for this size cube.

 

[McRuff]

Very nicely done. especially for a 1st attempt.

Heres your next challenge, a triple cube.
I made 8 of these for stocking stuffers at Christmas, they were tumbled after this and the outside were polished nice and shiney.
The outer cube is 1" square.

 

[randyjaco]

Thanks Bill, That ought to work. I have to update my Sketch program to view it.

Randy