Cutting a circle OD on a lathe

[1937 Chief]

I need to make a 1 in OD circle out of .250 plexiglass. I can rough cut it on my band saw, but need some info on how to hold the piece to cut the OD. Any thoughts? This is for a oil sight galss window on my lathe.Thanks Stan

[lugnut]

I'll bite. I would rough cut it with the band saw, then using some double sided tape chuck the disk between something in my 3 jaw and something held with my live center in the tail stock. I might work???????????????
Mel

[macona]

I would say the same thing. Carpet tape it to a piece of 7/8" round faced off and then clamp it with the tailstock live center. Use a nickel or something as a pad.

[winchman]

Cut it with a hole saw without using the drill in the center.

Rough on band saw, grip 1/8" in chuck while turning half of OD, then reverse to finish other half. Take light cuts.

[darryl]

You could apply some rubber sheet to a faceplate, then use a live center in the t/s to press a disc against it. With it held lightly, you can tap it around to center it well enough, then up the pressure to keep it in place while you machine it.

[Gazz]

Hole saw without the pilot. If you have trouble with the saw wandering, cut a hole in a piece of wood and then clamp that on top of the plastic. The hole in the wood will keep the hole saw from wandering when cutting the plastic.

[loose nut]

Turn a piece of metal just under 1" with a stub that will fit into your tailstock chuck. Then turn another piece, the same diam. and leave it in the chuck. Rough out your work piece and then sandwich it, between the two "holders", on your lathe. Light cuts.

[Duffy]

Stick a square on your faceplate with some DS tape and trepan it. Thin tool and light cuts.

[MotorradMike]

Same problem, more info from the guys.

My thread from a while ago.

[Rosco-P]

Hole saw without the pilot. If you have trouble with the saw wandering, cut a hole in a piece of wood and then clamp that on top of the plastic. The hole in the wood will keep the hole saw from wandering when cutting the plastic.

+1 on this method.

Or flycutter/trepan tool on the drillpress.

[lane]

Do it all the time . Just saw out a square are any shape large enough to turn to size . Take a piece of fire wood are any wood chuck up in lathe and turn a section about 2 inches long to the diameter you want. Center drill the end and part of a piece about one inch long . Face the end of the piece still in the chuck. Sandwich the plastic between the two pieces of wood ,holding with pressure with the tail stock center .Take light cuts until to size.

[oldtiffie]

Hold the larger sheet (say 3"square) in the "outside" jaws of a 4-jaw chuck and trepan the circular part - use care, small cuts and a sharp trepanning tool.

[1937 Chief]

I made my 1'' circles. Thanks for all the info. I used it. Stan