Ball turners.

I made these ball turners a few years ago, just a project, had no real use for them, but they have come in handy a few times. I wanted one I could mount in the tool post and be used either in front of or behind the chuck. The first welded up one was a trial to see how well it worked, it worked extremely well, so, I made a few design changes and machined up the final. These were made on the lathe as I didn't have a mill at the time.

If simple balls are to be turned they are ok but if accurate balls Arte needed say for trackrod ends etc a tool slide needs to be added

My 1895 vintage lathe has a powered ball turner, it can be set to turn ovals, spheres and even a ball in the middle of a length of metal bar. Here is a 90 second video powered ball turner

I do like that, Vic !

MichaelG.

I made the Radford ball turner, this design was later improved by GHT, I believe. It must rotate at exactly the centre-height of the lathe otherwise you just produce eggs and acorns so the body is best bored in the lathe upon which it is to be used. The device works well enough for 'cosmetic' balls for handles etc. but when I produced the balls for the universal joints on the Radford worm-hobbing attachment as recommended by the designer, I found I had to 'ease' the balls slightly because of a couple of tight spots. Obviously, the balls were not perfectly spherical although to the naked-eye they looked fine.

I made this one a few years ago. Specifically for the Myford super 7 . It fits in place of the compound & then locks with the wedges. I also made it so the cutting tip can be rotated. I noticed a lot I had seen would not get right into the root where the mandrel holds it in the chuck.

Steve.

Bully for you. Mine does what I want it to, that's all that matters to me..

OOps didn’t mean to offend!

OOps didn’t mean to offend!

Not offended, just surprised someone would make such a silly comment, takes all types I guess.

Edited By Tony Hoggo on 08/08/2023 10:31:46

Exquisite

There is a Holtzapffel lathe, with lots of the kit, up on that auction site. Made for a Victorian gentleman hobbyist wood turner, but who would want it now you can't get the ivory?

Robin

For a lot of ball turning the diameter can be that of the material, (Used or turned to size ) .

What is silly about striving for, or needing, accuracy?

As ever, the importance is what meets your particular need.

"One man's meat..." etc

We need tolerances on here as well as on drawings

Howard

Just had a watch of some of your video's. A great old lathe you have there. Plus a ingenious ball turner.

Steve.

Edited By Tony Hoggo on 08/08/2023 12:13:51

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It is an interesting machine for sure, the ball turning can be set fast or slow via settings of worms and wheels etc. and a superfine mirror finish is possible.

I have experimented turning a ball in the middle of a length of metal with an extreme taper either side for which the headstock was swivelled over 7 degrees for this, it can actually swivel 20 degrees. I must experiment more

Edited By vic newey on 08/08/2023 12:29:33

Bernard

Despite the OP not grasping the importance of your statement re the tool slide, I think your design looks very functional and controllable on the lathe.

Phil

Thanks for that Phil was just trying to get across the point of looks against accuracy , ones good for one job the other is needed for the other

That's a lovely old lathe Vic, even sounds wonderful when running, Theraputic like my shaper. I've seen Pittler lathes advertised before without realising how versatile and clever they were. Never stop learning. Very interesting video's thanks for posting the link.

Dave

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I like the noise old machines make as well Dave, the belt clicks because I haven't scarfed the joint but I like it, also noise comes from the big heavy countershaft fitted up above as well as the various gears and spur wheels!

Vic

A lesson on how to hijack a post , well done. You're a legend - in your own mind at least.