- Joined
- Sep 24, 2012
- Messages
- 495
I just got done trying out a tool that is (sadly) NOT mine, and I have to return it to its builder/owner tomorrow! It's a radius-turning tool that mounts into the quill of the lathe. He's a friend and a fellow Rivett nut, so he loaned it to me and I'm posting my first try at using it. Tom (the builder) says it's an "up-and-over" design based on an article from Model Engineer magazine.
I'm never sure what order the pictures are going to upload. But basically I'm attaching pictures of the tool laying on my bench unmounted, then closeups of the cutting head, then mounted in my lathe's quill, then of the final product.
The tool has a round cutter bit, ground at a slight (10-degree?) angle. I found that the round profile of the bit was WAY too easy to bite into the end of the work behind the ball, when approaching the end of the ball where it joins the handle. Also, the round profile cuts a tiny radius at the handle/ball junction, instead of the sharply-defined corner I would have preferred. I suspect a square graver bit would solve both of those issues.
Anyway, it was simple to operate, very well engineered (almost OVER-engineered), and did a fine job. I ended up with a couple of boo-boos from the cutter bit hitting the handle behind the ball, but I got most of them out (and sharpened the handle/ball junction) with a small india stone.
Fun stuff! I wish this tool was mine!
I'm never sure what order the pictures are going to upload. But basically I'm attaching pictures of the tool laying on my bench unmounted, then closeups of the cutting head, then mounted in my lathe's quill, then of the final product.
The tool has a round cutter bit, ground at a slight (10-degree?) angle. I found that the round profile of the bit was WAY too easy to bite into the end of the work behind the ball, when approaching the end of the ball where it joins the handle. Also, the round profile cuts a tiny radius at the handle/ball junction, instead of the sharply-defined corner I would have preferred. I suspect a square graver bit would solve both of those issues.
Anyway, it was simple to operate, very well engineered (almost OVER-engineered), and did a fine job. I ended up with a couple of boo-boos from the cutter bit hitting the handle behind the ball, but I got most of them out (and sharpened the handle/ball junction) with a small india stone.
Fun stuff! I wish this tool was mine!