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Ball Turning

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JohnP25/11/2009 16:17:29
5 forum posts

Hi All,

I am a 'newbie' to the world of model engineering. In fact I still haven't got a lathe yet but I'll hopefully correct this at the upcoming Sandown engineering exhibition in December. I am very excited & inspired by all the models etc. that I have seen & will likely go for one of the 'simpler' wobbler engines as a first project. 
 

Anyway - I have been reading up loads & trying to get to grip with some of the techniques etc. I would at sometime love to have a go at Mike Freeman's metal chess project that featured in ME earlier this year. Key to making some of the parts is the ability to machine balls - I see that Mike made his own custom tool for this job. So my question is does anyone know of an inexpensive ball making jig for small balls (Less 10mm radius) or perhaps has links to good (easy) DIY projects for such a device.
 

Many thanks in advance,  John 

Edited By JohnP on 25/11/2009 16:18:15

JasonB25/11/2009 16:44:43
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25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
I made mine from plans on the web of the Bedair type. The site has pdf drawings, how to make articles and a video of it in action.
 
I altered mine to take a carbide insert that can be mounted for concave as well as convex turning.
 
This is mine doing the concave cuts on a conrod
 
Jason
David Clark 125/11/2009 17:44:22
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3357 forum posts
112 photos
10 articles
Hi There
Mike wrote his ball turning tool up after doing the chess set articles.
I think it was in ME.
regards david
 
JohnP25/11/2009 18:22:14
5 forum posts
Thks Jason & David.
 
Don't suppose anyone has any idea what no in what is - Guess I am going to have to buy another back issue....

Cheers,  John
Stewart Hart25/11/2009 18:46:04
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674 forum posts
357 photos
Hi John
 
Here's a nice video of a ball turner in action.
 
http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=282.0
 
Enjoy
 
Stew 
JohnP26/11/2009 11:14:47
5 forum posts
Cheers Stew - I will study closely thks. john
Nobby19/01/2011 00:11:38
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587 forum posts
113 photos
Hi
This may help.
Nobby

Niloch19/01/2011 09:32:17
371 forum posts
Has anyone experience of using the Ball Turning Attachment for Myford lathes and, apparently, based on the Bedair design as sold by RDG Tools for about £45?
NJH19/01/2011 10:51:35
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2314 forum posts
139 photos
Hi Niloch
 
I have this item purchased from RDG - a good sturdy tool, easy to fit and seems to work well.  In truth I've not used it in anger yet but will have use for it on a pending project . Here is a photo of a test I did on a piece of 25mm MS bar. I was not attempting to turn a ball in this case but the cone shape you will see. ( I know, I know  I should have made the tool myself but if I keep doing that I will never complete any of my projects!)
 
Regards
Norman
 
 


 
Niloch19/01/2011 11:03:45
371 forum posts
Thanks for the image and the encouraging words Norman.  I agree with you entirely, I'm not in the hobby to make the tooling to make the items I want to make, life is too short, at least, from my perspective.  Besides which, I suspect the cost of materials inclusive of the tip would probably be half as much as the ready-made tool from RDG (usual disclaimer).  No contest!!
John Hinkley19/01/2011 19:41:03
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1545 forum posts
484 photos
I did think I might design a variation on the ball-turning theme. Based along the lines of a
boring head. Did a number of drawings before coming to the conclusion I'd be better off following the tried and trusted method. (Why re-invent the wheel? - Again.)
Now, I've just ordered a rotary table and it occurred to me that I could make a support for a removable carbide tip and mount that in one of the tee slots and use the rotating table, mounted horizontally, to form the ball. I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on. Unless someone's already tried it and failed!
John

Ian S C20/01/2011 09:44:47
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7468 forum posts
230 photos
Even a small rotary table i think would be too big on most lathes to go under the work piece, and the work would be too far out of the chuck because of the redundant half of the tableon the headstock side of the table center, but a similar idea with a worm drive could be used. Ian S C

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