RF-45 Downfeed Lock Knob

[henryarnold]

I felt like doing a small project last night so I decided to make a better knob for my RF-45 Style Mill down-feed lock. This knob when tightened allows the fine feed to operate and when loose allows the drill press style handle to operate. The original knob is made of cheap plastic. Here's a photo:
   

I didn't think to take pictures during the lathe work. I turned the knob from a 1.6" long 3" round piece of 6061 aluminum. After I finished turning and boring the blank, I milled the cutouts around the rim.
   
Here's a closeup. I made each cutout with a boring bar set to cut a 7/8" radius. The rotary table is turned 60 degrees for each cutout
   
Here's the finished knob. I used my new Shop Press to press fit a 10mm x 45 mm cap head screw.
   
My new knob has a nicer feel and also looks better.
   

[EdK]

Henry,

Nice job on the new knob. You've just added another project to my list. That looks like a fun project though.

Ed

[doubleboost]

Henry,

That looks a lot better
John

[DaveH]

Henry,

Very nice, in fact I think that is rather splendid

DaveH

[krv3000]

(06-02-2012, 02:18 PM)DaveH Wrote: Henry,

Very nice, in fact I think that is rather splendid

DaveH

well dun

[ETC57]

Henry,

Love your knob!!!



Nicely done!!


Jerry.

[f350ca]

Nice, I never thought of using the boring head to make the grips

[EdK]

(06-02-2012, 08:23 PM)f350ca Wrote: Nice, I never thought of using the boring head to make the grips

I thought that was rather clever of Henry. I learned something new from his post.

Ed

[Highpower]

(06-02-2012, 12:16 PM)henryarnold Wrote: Here's a closeup. I made each cutout with a boring bar set to cut a 7/8" radius.

Henry,

7/8" radius? On a 3" diameter knob?

Maybe just my eyes playing tricks on me, but they don't look to be that big to me.

[stevec]

(06-02-2012, 09:26 PM)Highpower Wrote: Henry,

7/8" radius? On a 3" diameter knob?

Maybe just my eyes playing tricks on me, but they don't look to be that big to me.

A 3" diameter knob has a circumference of almost 10" and those 7/8"
radius sectors (not full diameter) are probably around 3/4" across so I'd say, Ya your eyes must be playing tricks on you.
(or mine are)
Or maybe Henry meant 7/8" Diameter?
Oh, never mind