Todays Project - What did you do today?

[PixMan]

(10-31-2012, 06:25 PM)EdK Wrote:

(10-31-2012, 04:37 PM)PixMan Wrote: Who says I don't use any HSS tools?!

High Speed Harold would be proud of you Ken.

Ed

LOL....I doubt it because I didn't make the tool,only used it. The end mill shown in the photo is also HSS, but it's a big $$ 3-flute TiCN-coated PM (powdered metal) long-flute Cleveland that was gifted to my dad by a tool distributor who had a few samples from the Cleveland rep that he ditched. It really kicks butt when working hard, almost as good as a Weldon SkiCarb.

[Mayhem]

You should make a batch and sell them Ken!

[PixMan]

(11-01-2012, 04:16 AM)Mayhem Wrote: You should make a batch and sell them Ken!

Actually, if I get much more interest in them I'm going to have Russ quote them. It's not something I want to spend a lot of time on. I value my time and the $40 to $60 I could get for them doesn't justify the 3.5 hours it took me to make one (including clean-up.) The blanks would be turned in a CNC machine in under 1 minute each. The milling of the main part, about 3 minutes, the pre-machining of the clamp block, 2 minutes, and final turning, about 2 minutes. Add in the multiple handling and assembly time (you have to bolt them together with a shim between them for final turn), and you're looking at about 10 minutes each, plus material.

No way is making more than a couple of them (I'm up to two already) justified for a home shop with multiple setups and manual tool changes.

BTW, I don't know if I posted photos of just what this part does. It mounts to a cross bar support inside the windscreen of the motorcycle. With parts from Ram Mount company (included with my GPS unit), it positions the SAT/NAV unit just above the bike's instruments and in the same distance plane. When the eyes don't have to refocus to go from the GPS to the instruments, it makes for a less distracted and hence, safer ride.

[Bill Gruby]

You do nice work Ken, very nice work. I like the form tool for the ball. How was it made?

"Billy G"

[PixMan]

(11-01-2012, 07:35 AM)Bill Gruby Wrote: You do nice work Ken, very nice work. I like the form tool for the ball. How was it made?

"Billy G"

No idea how it was made, Bill. I had gotten a pile of HSS tool bits in a package deal of some sort several years ago, and I don't recall now who or where I got them from.

[Bill Gruby]

My guess would be with a surface grinder. Wheel was dressed with a radius dresser. The cut is super clean.

"Billy G"

[TomG]

(11-01-2012, 04:16 PM)Bill Gruby Wrote: My guess would be with a surface grinder. Wheel was dressed with a radius dresser. The cut is super clean.

"Billy G"

Bill,

I have one that looks a lot like that only it's a 1/2" radius and that's how I made it. You can make some pretty nice form tools with a surface grinder and radius dresser.

Tom

[PixMan]

I've got a surface grinder and a radius dresser (picked it up off of Craigslist for $40!) so I think I might buy a spare 1" wide wheel and grind better one of those tools with more of a full form on it. Acutally, I'd forgotten all about having that radius dresser sitting there, so it's time to get it working. It would be faster and cheaper than actually making or buying the ball turning attachment I really need. ;)

[Rickabilly]

But ball turning attachments are way more versatile
Regards, Rick

[Rickabilly]

Than form tools that is, not radius dressers,