Shop Made Tools

[Tim Clarke]

Nice grind on the threading tool!

[H0$$]

Re: The cut knurler, from 3 or 4 pages back in time:

Moved on to re-purposing orphaned Phase-II bump knurler into a straddle knurler with some 3/4" scrap square stock.
Clamping rod is positioned to allow up to 2-1/4" diameter stock. 1/4-28 threaded. Geometry such that one turn
of clamp screw closes wheel space down 0.060". Added a pin to spring bore to prevent deformation, then added
a small plate to retain the pin. Ooof. Started down that path because did not have material to make a custom hoop
spring that could wrap around arm pivot bolts. Could not put spring at clamp rod and still get 1/8" to 2-1/4" spring action
without work to the original QCTP base to increase the arm pivot spacing.

Tommy bar an after-the-fact addition...thought it would be easier to crank the knurled knob given I made it so large...
so next time, could use smaller knurled knob with tommy bar, or just a nut.

Easier than cut knurler to set up for the random knurl; more forgiving/self centering; better for small diameter knurl,
at least for a terminal beginner like moi.

I basically did the same with the cheap POS bump Knurling tool holder which came in a set. However on the other side in the tool slot I made and mounted a short shank with a bearing attached to be used as a bump wheel to true parts in the chuck before tightening. Making a two in one tool.

[Beazld]

Not sure if this qualifies but I have a bunch of smallish files without handles. I bought some of the smallest wooden handles I could find off a Amazon but the holes were too big for the tangs. I had some #6-8 plastic anchors for drywall so I snipped the ends off and the work great!

[mattthemuppet]

that's a cool idea, I'll remember that!

[BCRider]

Yeah, that's a nice quick fix with the wall anchors. Smart!

[gambler]

I exactly need that wall anchor trick. thanks.

[wbc]

El Cheapo Spin Fixture:
Been done before, and no competitor against a Harig Spin Fixture, but then, only a $1900 lower outlay...
Ford Explorer discarded window motor, 12V brick for power, and flat drive belt from a vacuum cleaner.
Added Fwd/Off/Rev switch to existing plug/connector and a mounting plate to the spindexer (which comes off
easily if motor is in the way for other manual operations.)

Motor not intended for continuous service, but have erred on the side of caution and wrapped a layer of wet cheesecloth
around motor and have run for 30 minutes continuously and not had a thermal shutdown.

[rcaffin]

I am confused. I have three dividing heads and a CNC, but this spin-indexer has me puzzled. On the one hand it can rotate in 1 degree steps (I get that bit), but on the other hand this one is motorised. The two seem incompatible. Help?

Cheers
Roger

[Cenedd]

rcaffin I've seen the Harig, that he referred to, used by Tom Lipton in some of his Ox Tools YouTube videos. I believe it's mainly a grinding fixture so you could use it to grind cylinders or, if you set it at an angle, tapers.

[challenger]

El Cheapo Spin Fixture:
Been done before, and no competitor against a Harig Spin Fixture, but then, only a $1900 lower outlay...
Ford Explorer discarded window motor, 12V brick for power, and flat drive belt from a vacuum cleaner.
Added Fwd/Off/Rev switch to existing plug/connector and a mounting plate to the spindexer (which comes off
easily if motor is in the way for other manual operations.)

Motor not intended for continuous service, but have erred on the side of caution and wrapped a layer of wet cheesecloth
around motor and have run for 30 minutes continuously and not had a thermal shutdown.

So the index part of the fixture is not used?

[Cenedd]

When motorised, the index feature is not used but it can still be used without the motor. Essentially the indexer is being used as a convenient spindle that can be mounted to the table and spun.
I managed to find which Tom Lipton video I was thinking of and you can see him using the Harig Grind All (which has additional features for centring or off-centring a part).
Ox Tools: Precision Toolmaking Making an Edgefinder Part 1

[Bob Engelhardt]

...
I managed to find which Tom Lipton video I was thinking of and you can see him using the Harig Grind All (which has additional features for centring or off-centring a part).
Ox Tools: Precision Toolmaking Making an Edgefinder Part 1

Tom using a cordless drill to spin (Part 2):

https://youtu.be/TuQ09X1BDiA?t=646

[the professor]

I have used vintage sunbeam food mixer heads for light duty cylindrical grinding on tool and cutter grinders for powering the 5C work head or for between centers work. Put a 1in. pulley for an O ring on one of the beater shafts. You have forward or reverse depending on which hole you plug the beater shaft into. The mixer motor has an excellent variable speed control built in. I have done this at 2 different places that I have worked with great success.

[Baz]

Interesting takes on cylinder grinding. What is a suitable speed for the work to spin, or rather what is the appropriate SFM.?

[Dan Dubeau]

I have a plastic plug that fits via friction into the hollow of the harig grind all spindle (bit of a taper). In the other end is a 1/4" hex to 1/4" square drive flex extension. I press fit the square end into the plastic plug and run the whole works with my little 1/4" 12v drill driver. IMO it still spins a bit too fast, but when I have a bunch of pins to grind it's a shoulder saver. Always wanted to make a nice version with a permanent mounted motor via round belt, but its not worth my time investment for the shops tooling when I know a few idiots would just wreck it in short order. If I ever pick up my own grind all it would be top of the list of things to do to it.

I like the wiper motor idea. Just salvaged one off my old car the other day, pondering what I was going to do with it.....