I have a set of ER32 collets, which are great for 4mm -20mm ...but I now need to hold very small diameter steel rod - like 1.5mm-2mm - is this doable on such mini lathes & if so, which route should I be going to hold the workpiece?
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I have a set of ER32 collets, which are great for 4mm -20mm ...but I now need to hold very small diameter steel rod - like 1.5mm-2mm - is this doable on such mini lathes & if so, which route should I be going to hold the workpiece?
I've turned a short piece of 2mm by clamping it in a 10mm holder turned up then drilled out and cross drilled for a clamping screw. the issue is that any length longer than a gnats will see the rod bend with anything other then the finest of cuts. The solution is to use a steady.
There is a special tool you can buy for this... from Chronos or others...
My preference would be a few small collets ER11 size they start at 1 - 1.5mm
The Myford gizmo from Chronos would be good for mass production but little flexability in varying the diameter
The other alternative is a bush that fits in your ER32 and you profile saw cuts to it similar to the ER collets
Phil
I think the way to use the Chronos tool is you turn up the work holder and bush together as a single piece and drill out, then part the bush off... that way you end up with a matched set of holder and steady bush...
I think i will have to disagree.Quote:
Originally Posted by irving2008
I see that the brass bush in the photo will have a hole to match the rod to be turned.
The whole tool will then have to be accurately set on the centreline in height of the tool and the X axis to align the bush with the rod
Then to get the correct turned diameter the bit is adjusted in the holder using a screw that is just visible at the back of the tool
Unless you have this tool and know better, that is how it looks to work.
Phil