Shop-made Ball Turner - with a Question

If you can't drill it with a cobalt bit, then you are most likely not going to be able to tap it.

I built a similar turner and just adjust it from one side, a bit inconvenient but it works.
 
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Carbide may drill it, but you still could not tap it; one possibility would be to partially anneal that section of the screw.
 
Nice job Terry,
I put my knob adjustment on the other side, cut a hex key at the end of my knob and retained with a small screw. Will pull mine out and see about the other side. I went with a CCGT32.52 so I could get a sharp edge, others grind HSS or use small round inserts.
Ball Turner Head.jpg
 
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Rotate the cutter to be below the workpiece and reverse the spindle rotation.
Be careful if you're using a screw on chuck.
 
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JimDawson said:
If you can't drill it with a cobalt bit, then you are most likely not going to be able to tap it.

I built a similar turner and just adjust it from one side, a bit inconvenient but it works.
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Unfortunately, I think you're right.

Wonder how Ade did it?
 
extropic said:
Rotate the cutter to be below the workpiece and reverse the spindle rotation.
Be careful if you're using a screw on chuck.
Click to expand...
Now, that's a thought. Thanks.
 
mksj said:
Nice job Terry,
I put my knob adjustment on the other side, cut a hex key at the end of my knob and retained with a small screw. Will pull mine out and see about the other side. I went with a CCGT32.52 so I could get a sharp edge, others grind HSS or use small round inserts.
View attachment 368933
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Characteristically beautiful work, Mark. Do have pix from other angles?

I used an El Cheapo boring bar insert just to try out the tool. It performed very nicely. I have round inserts on the way and will try those out. I suspect I'll be okay with those, but if not, I may end up doing what you did.

Regards,
Terry
 
John O said:
Ade didn't have a Criterion boring head
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Oh! Well that solves the mystery! His looks nearly identical to mine, and I jumped to the conclusion that it was a Criterion. I went back and listened a little more carefully, and I don't think he ever identifies the brand of his boring head.

Good catch, and thanks for clearing that up.

Plan C, here we come.

Regards
 
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