making hexagonal parts

I just stumbled across this one here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-9jMN9Bgg6g&feature=related

WOW...is this available for minilathes (homesetups)

or how can I make hexagonal parts...for fittings, wheel locks etc ? I really have no clue, do I need a mill for that, any help is much appreciated

daniel
-germany-

Wow, that is pretty cool daniel. Not sure that something like that is available for our style of set-ups, it would be a huge undertaking and very stressful on the lathe itself.

I'm not sure that you can make hexagonal parts on the lathe, I think a mill is the way to go for accuracy and ease. There is a tutorial on the modeling section of making bolts using sandpaper and a pinvice. I guess the only option for us with lathes only is some sort of drilling attachment to mount a milling bit perpendicular to the work.

Mike

yes mike I know that tutorial but I would prefer the "machine" way to make the same part all over and over again...I fear I have to invest in a milling machine some day.

daniel
-germany-

Once you get a mill, there is a thing called a hexagonal collet block. You hold the part in a 5C lathe collet, the collet is held by the collet block. Once the part is locked in, mill the first flat then keep flipping it until all the flats are complete.

If you really want to go all out, pick up a Hardinge Indexing Head that also holds 5C collets. This bolts to the milling machine table and can do very precise work. It goes in 15 degree increments only, which usually is all that you need unless you're cutting gears.

Bob