Making New Gear Change Handles

[EdK]

I've been wanting to make some new gear change handles for the mill for a couple of years now since the factory installed handles are plastic and do not hold tight to the shaft. I'm going to make the new ones out of aluminum and pin them to the shaft with a roll pin. I got started on the project today.

Ed

       

[EdK]

I got the blanks marked up and got one chucked up in the 4-jaw chuck. Does this look safe enough? It's a bit unbalanced so I thought I better ask prior to spinning it up. I need to bore a 12mm blind hole for the shaft and then turn some material off of the thickness of the handle with it chucked up as shown.

Thanks,
Ed

   

[Bill Gruby]

As long as it is clear it will be OK. Run it on the slow side. I do it all the time.

"Billy G"

[EdK]

(03-23-2013, 03:46 PM)Bill Gruby Wrote: As long as it is clear it will be OK. Run it on the slow side. I do it all the time.

"Billy G"

There's plenty of clearance. I went ahead and spun it starting at the slowest speed first and then went one speed up. I could probably go up another speed but I'm not going to push my luck.

Ed

[Sunset Machine]

On a setup like that it's not a bad idea to tap the workpiece home with a small hammer to make sure it's flat down against the jaws.

[EdK]

(03-23-2013, 04:39 PM)Sunset Machine Wrote: On a setup like that it's not a bad idea to tap the workpiece home with a small hammer to make sure it's flat down against the jaws.

I always do that whether it's an unbalance setup or not. Better to be safe than sorry.

Ed

[f350ca]

After boring those cylinders that looks fairly well balanced.
Do you have your lathe anchored to the floor? Helps with setups like that.

[stevec]

EdK, handles are looking good, wait, aren't they mentioned in another thread? Are you just messin' with ma haid?

[EdK]

(03-23-2013, 06:50 PM)stevec Wrote: EdK, handles are looking good, wait, aren't they mentioned in another thread? Are you just messin' with ma haid?

Steve,

Just keeping your mind active so you stay young at heart.

Ed

[EdK]

(03-23-2013, 06:10 PM)f350ca Wrote: After boring those cylinders that looks fairly well balanced.
Do you have your lathe anchored to the floor? Helps with setups like that.

Greg,

I thought of your cylinder boring video and decided what I'm doing is a walk in the park so I'm not going to sweat it.

Ed