Taper cutting

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

Hi Ian S C.

The material he is using seems to have turned OK when he turned it parallel, so it should turn taper too. 

From personal experience, there is a tendency to use very small cuts when taper turning, and this might lead to surface work hardening (depending on material), thus increasing the difficulty. What is needed for final sizing cuts is a tool described in ME sometime in the fifties, which is a front cutting “shearing” tool. This tool for the experts to ponder, is a tool of infinite radius, but with a point contact. 

Anyway, this dead simple tool is a great way of making your own wire wool! Get my drift?

I used mine recently to make a less than 0 Morse taper for a rotating centre to fit a Super Adept. seemed to work on that cutting Stainless.

If the moderator agrees I could post a scan, to save you lot having to delve in the archive, if anyone is interested.

chriStephens

[mgjParticipant @mgj]

Be interested to see it Chris.

 

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If I could make one final suggestion – if you ever do get this taper sorted and cutting OK, for Gods sake make more than one at the same setting.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Chris,I think the tool use are talking about is one that looks something like a D bit and when mounted is horizontalfore and aft and tilted about 45deg to the left(ie to the chuck).Some grind the end at rt angles to the tool shank,others the end is a slight curve,same efect which ever.IAN S C

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Chris,I think the tool use are talking about is one that looks something like a D bit and when mounted is horizontalfore and aft and tilted about 45deg to the left(ie to the chuck).Some grind the end at rt angles to the tool shank,others the end is a slight curve,same efect which ever.IAN S C ps easyest to use round tool stock to make the tool,easyest to set up in lathe.

Edited By Ian S C on 16/11/2009 01:45:34

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

Hi Ian S C,

Sounds like you have it aright. 

The tool comes in many variations, there is a Yankee chap who uses square stock, but the round stock is slightly more versatile as you can alter the contact area  more easily. 

Tried posting to Meyrick as a PM from “My Documents” but could not get it to work, had to send it direct. If there is any interest, perhaps he could get his ‘puter to work better than I can mine.

chriStephens

[Jim WhetrenParticipant @jimwhetren72358]

Finishing Tool.

 

I have been using this tool for finishing since I saw it in ‘Using the Small Lathe’ by L C Mason. It is simple to make from round HSS.

 

The only proviso is to take very light cuts, in the order of a thou’ or so.

 

If it helps anyone, look at page three of the past articles on this site where there is a photo of one in action in the ‘Graduating to Better Scales’ article, and an example of the finish obtained in the ‘Hand Turning Rest’ article.

 

The advantage of the round tool is that; although it is usually set at about 45 degrees, it can be presented more vertically when approaching a shoulder.

 

Ditch the emery..

Jim

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

Hi Jim,

Indeed it is, but you can also raise the tool so that it cuts just above the bottom corner( if you have a QC tool holder) if you are planning to cut up to a shoulder.

Ditch the Emery indeed, but sometimes a wipe with Scotchbrite type abrasive (ultra fine grade) texture-izes the surface to a uniform polished finish.

You can also use a Tangential tool to give the same effect by raising the cutting edge half- three quarters of a smidgeon, and cutting backwards.

Do you agree about making your own wire wool?

chriStephens

[Jim WhetrenParticipant @jimwhetren72358]

Hello Chris,

 

Yes, as Mr Mason describes it; the swarf comes off like cobwebs.

 

I also agree with raising the tool in a QC-TP to reach a shoulder, and the use of Scotchbrite.

 

Was there ever an original thought in our hobby?

 

Jim

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

Hi Jim,

Yes of course there was, 1673 if memory serves, that’s BC, by the way, not AD.

‘Tis true there are very few new ideas, just up dates of previous ones. When new materials come along that can start people thinking along new lines, but truly original thought is fairly rare. (and not to be recommended if you are a politician)

chriStephens

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