Steve Bedair Ball Turner Build

Hello All

I’ve just finished a build of the Steve Bedair designed lathe ball turner. The video is below.

David

P.S. I know some of you would prefer videos without music, especially if your hearing isn’t perfect. My own personal preference is to include music, but by way of concession I have turned the volume of it down when I'm speaking.

Excellent video David

This is something I am going to make for my Warco 290 lather

That's top class David. Thanks for posting it. I love the way you did the video (probably less love if you had added music!) . Very enjoyable, thanks.

Steve

Edit: Just realised I had the speaker volume off.

Edited By Steven Vine on 28/04/2017 19:51:13

Neat.

Personally, i'd prefer a bit of 'eavy metal

Neil

Nice work, I completed one loosely based on the same design about a year ago. I fitted my sliding toolpost in a dovetail just in case it may want to lift in operation but not really required. I have used it on a monthly basis making nuts and bolts with radius on the head as well as complete dome. Well worth the time to make.

Or a Steel Band...

I must make a ball turning attachment some time. I'll get some random inserts at Doncaster.

Neil

Very impressive indeed, you have convinced me that I have to make one!

Yet another one of many projects for my round tuit list

But thanks David - I shall have fun!

Martin

Nicely made and a good video too.

For anyone thinking of making one who can see large concave work in their future then the "post" can be made double sided

Good tip Jason, I did make mine double sided. A friend was so impressed with it I had to make one for his lathe.

This is mine, I chose a slim insert to give good access.

Like some others I also put a bearing in the bottom of mine.

.

Excellent.

Nick

Super job Dave, well done.

​George.

Very nice clean and simple work thank you David

I'm not hard of hearing, I just find the music VERY irritating and unnecessary but if I turn it off I cannot hear the commentary. How about doing two versions? one with and one without.

Brian

Jason can I ask you for some sizes please. Its the top of the tool holder. What size is the piece between the two tools inserts? How much does the insert overhang the tool holder and what size is the thread for holding the tool?

2.5mm between inserts

The bottom of the insert matches the shape of teh post so it is only the 7degree angle of the insert overhanging

M2.5 thread, best to put an insert into position, locate its ctr and then move 0.1mm towards the central divider and then drill your hole this mill mean the screw pulls the insert tight against the central divider

Drawing, click to make bigger. The 40.64 is OK on my machine but may need adjusting on yours to set the insert on ctr height.

Thats great Jason, thanks

So far so good, have made the tool holder up the point of putting the 4 30deg angles.

Just wondering whats the best way to do this. I was going to mount the work in the vice and then rotate it 30deg but is there a better way?

From the rather agricultural finish on mine it looks like I did it on its side and angled it 30deg. I actually took the pic earlier to show how little the insert overhangs

I can't quite remember how I machined it but would say your best bet is to do the top first cutting the two lower areas for the insert to sit on then drill and tap the holes. Blue the seat, screw on an insert and then scribe a line along the two edges. You can then machine the angled faces back to the scribed line as it is not ultra critical.

Edited By JasonB on 30/04/2017 19:54:11