Search | Car Forums | Gallery | Articles | Helper | AF 350Z | IgorSushko.com | Corporate |
| Latest | 0 Rplys |
|
Machine Tools Learn about metal lathes, milling machines and CNC tools. |
Show Printable Version | Email this Page | Subscribe to this Thread |
|
Thread Tools |
10-15-2007, 03:35 PM | #1 | |
Getting Old...
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
Posts: 753
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Hex Bolts
OK.... first question for the FAQ....
I'd like to make some small hex bolts. I thought it would be pretty simple, but I must be doing something wrong... I have some brass hex rod (small, not exactly sure of the exact size since I'm at work right now.... ) and I figured the lathe would easily cut a rounded section to represent the threaded part of the bolt, and then I'd just part it off. Or, just slice off a piece of hex rod to act just as a bolt head that would be surface mounted... Well, the brass basically just deflected on me and wouldn'd cut properly. I had the cutter running pretty close to the chuck, but really couldn't get it to work out like I hoped. Perhaps just too small?? I'm guessing about 1- 1.5mm diameter brass hex rod. I have steady rest, but fail to see how that would help here? Is this a job for the follower rest? (of course, that would be about the only stinkin attachment I DIDN'T buy with my order..... ) Murray |
|
10-15-2007, 03:38 PM | #2 | |
AF Modelrater
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Forks Township, Pennsylvania
Posts: 12,894
Thanks: 18
Thanked 63 Times in 56 Posts
|
Re: Hex Bolts
What speed were you rotating the rod at?
__________________
|
|
10-15-2007, 03:43 PM | #3 | |
Getting Old...
Thread starter
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
Posts: 753
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: Hex Bolts
Not very fast. I didn't pay too close attention, but most of the stuff I've been reading (from the Sherline propaganda....) says decrease speed, increase feed. So generally I've been in the bottom third/half of the speed control....
Should I wind it up and try high speed? |
|
10-15-2007, 06:06 PM | #4 | |
Captain Over Engineer
|
Re: Hex Bolts
I've had no problem cutting aluminum and brass bolts. I cut them "backwards". The shaft facing the tailstock, and the head towards the head stock. I also only cut a length of the shaft a few millimeters at a time. About 3mm at a time. So if the bolt is 9mm long, it will require three stages of 3mm long cuts at a time.
Those are some tiny nuts/bolts I've cut before out of 6061.
__________________
-Mike AF Director of Media / Photographer mike.lawrence@automotiveforums.com | AutomotiveForums.com | Flickr Gallery |
|
10-15-2007, 07:16 PM | #5 | |
Image Hosting Exceeded
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Flying in circles
Posts: 4,233
Thanks: 23
Thanked 95 Times in 86 Posts
|
Re: Hex Bolts
You fiend, where'd you get the small dia hex rod? I've never been able to find it.
Turning small diameter rod is a bit of a learned skill. More than likely, you will need to do any cutting and parting very close to the chuck jaws- maybe with in 1/4" or so. Run the speed up fairly high, and take very light cuts. Be slow and gentle when moving the cutting bit. A live centre or steady rest isn't really going to help you. Learning to do small diameters is really a finesse thing as much as anything else. I seem to remember there's something about turning small diameters in the Joe Martin book, too. Hey Mike- are those nuts cut to a hex head? How'd you cut that?
__________________
PHOTOBUCKET SUCKS |
|
10-15-2007, 07:27 PM | #6 | ||
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London
Posts: 899
Thanks: 3
Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts
|
Re: Hex Bolts
Quote:
|
||
10-15-2007, 10:22 PM | #7 | ||
Captain Over Engineer
|
Re: Hex Bolts
Quote:
__________________
-Mike AF Director of Media / Photographer mike.lawrence@automotiveforums.com | AutomotiveForums.com | Flickr Gallery |
||
|
POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD |
|
|