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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Knobs like Bob's

    Over here (https://metalworkforums.com/f65/t205892-hunt-handle), Bob is looking for a handle for his saw. I suggested in that thread that machining one was possible and this morning decided to put my money where my mouth was.
    There were two methods I was considering. One used my Volstro head. There, I mounted the stock on the dividing head (to get the 6 places), offset the cutter half the ridge width and then radiused the end

    P1040913.JPG P1040914.JPG
    The result was not bad, but the set up seemed a bit insecure. This is a knob after doming the front and parting the stock off. The second photo shows my insufficient efforts to clean up between the ridges with a file. If I was doing this for real, I'd make up a filing template so I could check the profile. Here I just thought 'that's close enough to prove it works' and left it at that. Probably the area around the spheres needs some attention with rifflers to blend, but again, not a big problem.
    P1040918.JPG P1040920.JPG
    The second method used a collet block mounted on a rotary table so that the axis of the end of the ridge was the same as the RT axis. A 1-2-3 block was used as a stop for repeatability. I liked this method more as it was very straight forward. The only problem here is alignment. Getting the collet block aligned with the table X axis proved in hindsight to be the biggest problem. I thought I had it down pat, but if you look carefully at the last photo, the ridges are not quite square. I'm out by 3 degrees . I'll pass it off as a user not knowing their own strength and over torquing when tightening it up.
    P1040924.JPG P1040925.JPG

    However, it can be done. The R/T method is probably the best, although both produce a result - or would if properly set up . Bob's big concern was the spherical ends not being cut properly, but I was surprised how well they did come out.

    Michael

  2. #2
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
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    Perth
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    Default

    As we used to say in second year high school "skill plus plus"!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    Pretty flash Michael! Had I known you were going to get stuck into it I would have provided a working drawing!!

    Turns out I require yet another knob, the plastic gear looking things are ring ins,

    IMG_20201114_140731106.jpg IMG_20201114_140906944_HDR (1).jpg

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    South Australia
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    Default

    Plus one for trickery!!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    Nice knob Michael!

    Is that a router bit in your collet?

    If so, I didn't even know that was a thing you could do!

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  6. #6
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    Is that a router bit in your collet?
    Sure is Simon. Carbide router bits work very nicely for Aluminium in particular. You'd ruin it if you tried this with steel I suspect, but for softer metals (CI, Al, etc) it works. In this particular case because a specific radius was required, the easiest way to get that was to head to Carbatec and buy a router bit to suit.
    You can also use them in the lathe as form tools if needed.

    Michael

  7. #7
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    Melbourne
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    Oh boy. A whole new old has just opened up to me!

    I got to try that. I assume the usual carbide on Al cutting speeds apply?

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Default

    If you can get it that fast...
    (but yes)

    Michael

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    Perth WA
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    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    Oh boy. A whole new old has just opened up to me!

    I got to try that. I assume the usual carbide on Al cutting speeds apply?

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
    They don't have to always spin Simon...https://metalworkforums.com/attachme...4&d=1509928900

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Southern Flinders Ranges
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    Default

    Just quietly, they don’t have to be TCT either, the HSS ones work too.. and both with also work on mild steels with some degree of success (not as well as a purpose made milling cutter, but it can be done).

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Hi Guys,

    Its surprising just how well they do work ! I've used mine on steel as well as other materials. I've even used one to drill a 45 mm diameter hole in 6 mm alloy plate, only because the router bit happened to be the right size and I couldn't be bothered to dig out the boring head.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Melbourne
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    Thanks guys. Interesting!

    So many ways to skin a cat.

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

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