I need to drill and tap several carbon steel ball bearings (case hardened). What would be the best way to hold them in the lathe without marring the surface finish?
Holding ball bearings in a lathe
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Make a "collet" of sorts, using a piece of aluminum round stock a bit larger than the bearing. Bore a close-fitting hole, then slit the thing so clamping it in the chuck will tighten it onto the BB. Hole should NOT be all the way through the aluminum, so you won't push the BB out the back end. If you need to D&T all the way through the BB, then you could drill it out to that size.
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Originally posted by Toolguy View PostMake a 5C emergency collet with a ball end mill.
Originally posted by jdunmyer View PostMake a "collet" of sorts, using a piece of aluminum round stock a bit larger than the bearing. Bore a close-fitting hole, then slit the thing so clamping it in the chuck will tighten it onto the BB. Hole should NOT be all the way through the aluminum, so you won't push the BB out the back end. If you need to D&T all the way through the BB, then you could drill it out to that size.
Originally posted by duckman View PostI've drilled balls in my BRPT , catch the ball in the c-sinks that hold the jaws on , indicate and drill with carbide tada done
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Originally posted by jimsehr View PostJust do it in a 5c collet with a collet stop. It is easy to do . . .
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Take 2 thick disk washers smaller than the OD (hole size). Drill three holes at 120 degrees, sandwich the ball between the two disks and clamp with nuts and bolts, the whole lot can usually sit in the chuck, the jaws grip the disk, which in turn grips the ball, it centres the ball too,
Disks can be thick brass if the ball is fragile
Mark
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Originally posted by boslab View PostTake 2 thick disk washers smaller than the OD (hole size). Drill three holes at 120 degrees, sandwich the ball between the two disks and clamp with nuts and bolts, the whole lot can usually sit in the chuck, the jaws grip the disk, which in turn grips the ball, it centres the ball too,
Disks can be thick brass if the ball is fragile
Mark
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