Evening all,

I have a need to turn a number of components (probably in aluminium or 
brass, it depends what's lying around!).

I need to get one section to a 2mm diameter (prior to bunging a die up 
it...).

Now, I can do OK by sneaking up on the thing gently for one or two, but 
I have a number to do, and a short attention span. ;^)

I've read in the past of a "box turning tool" for this kind of thing, 
but Google has failed me.

Can I buy one for fourpence? Make one for a fiver? What do they look 
like? How do they work? *Do* they work? Is there a better way? Why does 
John S hate Reliants?

So many questions...

-- 
Nigel

When the only tools you have are a Matchmaker CNC Mill, a Colchester
and assorted other stuff, every problem looks like a steam engine.

On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:44:15 +0100, Nigel Eaton 
wrote:

>I've read in the past of a "box turning tool" for this kind of thing, 
>but Google has failed me.
>
>Can I buy one for fourpence? Make one for a fiver? What do they look 
>like? How do they work? *Do* they work? Is there a better way? Why does 
>John S hate Reliants?
>
>So many questions...


Not a Box turning tool, which are much more heavily made and get thrown out be
arseholes that don't recognise them, but...
 go to http://www.chronos.ltd.uk

and search for "Small Diameter Turning Tool"

This may either do the job, or give you the idea to make one of your own. Note
that in their design, adjusting the tool is done by drilling/boring/reaming a
hole in the bronze guide block, rather than by adjusting a finger with a
roller on it. quick and dirty, but it probably works.

-
Mark Rand
RTM

On Aug 16, 12:44 am, Nigel Eaton  wrote:
> Evening all,
>
> I have a need to turn a number of components (probably in aluminium or
> brass, it depends what's lying around!).
>
> I need to get one section to a 2mm diameter (prior to bunging a die up
> it...).
>
> Now, I can do OK by sneaking up on the thing gently for one or two, but
> I have a number to do, and a short attention span. ;^)
>
> I've read in the past of a "box turning tool" for this kind of thing,
> but Google has failed me.
>
> Can I buy one for fourpence? Make one for a fiver? What do they look
> like? How do they work? *Do* they work? Is there a better way? Why does
> John S hate Reliants?
>
> So many questions...
>
> --
> Nigel
>
> When the only tools you have are a Matchmaker CNC Mill, a Colchester
> and assorted other stuff, every problem looks like a steam engine.

Hi Nigel,
If you can imagine an end mill, with a hole all the way through, held
in a drill chuck and simply applied to the end of your material. If
the hole is the size you want to end up with your new screws can be
cut in one go. I have a number of commerially made ones for various BA
screws, great when making lots of screws with a die head
You can make one yourself from silver steel if you have "steam engine
problem" equipment, just think counterbore but without the pin.
Good luck,
T.W.

On Aug 16, 12:44 am, Nigel Eaton  wrote:
> Evening all,
>
> I have a need to turn a number of components (probably in aluminium or
> brass, it depends what's lying around!).
>
> I need to get one section to a 2mm diameter (prior to bunging a die up
> it...).
>
> Now, I can do OK by sneaking up on the thing gently for one or two, but
> I have a number to do, and a short attention span. ;^)
>
> I've read in the past of a "box turning tool" for this kind of thing,
> but Google has failed me.
>
> Can I buy one for fourpence? Make one for a fiver? What do they look
> like? How do they work? *Do* they work? Is there a better way? Why does
> John S hate Reliants?
>
> So many questions...
>
> --
> Nigel
>
> When the only tools you have are a Matchmaker CNC Mill, a Colchester
> and assorted other stuff, every problem looks like a steam engine.

You do not tell us how long the reduced portion is, but assuming
fairly normal dimensions ie about 20 mm x 2 mm dia, I would male a
twin turning toool with a bush, this is a tool with two tools set at
180 degrees to eachother so they both take an equal cut, by setting
them in this way nthere is no cross force on the component. You can
get away with a single tool, but it is not quite as good, in front of
the tools you can fit a bush which is bar size, this keeps the whole
thing central. This tool would have been fitted into a capstan turret,
howewver you could put yours ito a tool post and the die (or coventry
diehead) in the tailstock.
In my experience roller boxes are not to good at brass or very small
diameters.

Peter

On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:57:36 -0700 (PDT), petercolman45@hotmail.com
wrote:


>In my experience roller boxes are not to good at brass or very small
>diameters.
>
>Peter


'Roller boxes' for brass  generally use  vee guides rather than
rollers, as brass chips tend to build up on the rollers.

Tim

On Aug 16, 12:22 pm, Tim Leech  wrote:
> On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:57:36 -0700 (PDT), petercolma...@hotmail.com
> wrote:
>
> >In my experience roller boxes are not to good at brass or very small
> >diameters.
>
> >Peter
>
> 'Roller boxes' for brass  generally use  vee guides rather than
> rollers, as brass chips tend to build up on the rollers.
>
> Tim

Agreed, though I found that a simple Knee tool with a bush did most
things .
Peter

In article , Mark Rand 
 writes
>On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:44:15 +0100, Nigel Eaton 
>wrote:
>
>>I've read in the past of a "box turning tool" for this kind of thing,
>>but Google has failed me.
>>
>>Can I buy one for fourpence? Make one for a fiver? What do they look
>>like? How do they work? *Do* they work? Is there a better way? Why does
>>John S hate Reliants?
>>
>>So many questions...
>
>
>Not a Box turning tool, which are much more heavily made and get thrown out be
>arseholes that don't recognise them, but...
> go to http://www.chronos.ltd.uk
>
>and search for "Small Diameter Turning Tool"

Thanks all, and thanks Mark. The Chronos thing looks just the ticket. I 
needed a couple of other bits and pieces anyway, so I've ordered one.

-- 
Nigel

When the only tools you have are a Matchmaker CNC Mill, a Colchester
and assorted other stuff, every problem looks like a steam engine.

On 16 Aug, 19:59, Nigel Eaton  wrote:
>
> >>Can I buy one for fourpence? Make one for a fiver? What do they look
> >>like? How do they work? *Do* they work? Is there a better way? Why does
> >>John S hate Reliants?
>
> >>So many questions...
>
> >Not a Box turning tool, which are much more heavily made and get thrown out be
> >arseholes that don't recognise them, but...
> > go tohttp://www.chronos.ltd.uk
>
> >and search for "Small Diameter Turning Tool"
>
> Thanks all, and thanks Mark. The Chronos thing looks just the ticket. I
> needed a couple of other bits and pieces anyway, so I've ordered one.
>
> --
> Nigel
>

Did you order the Reliant Handbook ?

John s.

In article 
, 
John S  writes
>On 16 Aug, 19:59, Nigel Eaton  wrote:
>>
>> >>Can I buy one for fourpence? Make one for a fiver? What do they look
>> >>like? How do they work? *Do* they work? Is there a better way? Why does
>> >>John S hate Reliants?
>>
>> >>So many questions...
>>
>> >Not a Box turning tool, which are much more heavily made and get 
>> >thrown out be
>> >arseholes that don't recognise them, but...
>> > go tohttp://www.chronos.ltd.uk
>>
>> >and search for "Small Diameter Turning Tool"
>>
>> Thanks all, and thanks Mark. The Chronos thing looks just the ticket. I
>> needed a couple of other bits and pieces anyway, so I've ordered one.
>>
>> --
>> Nigel
>>
>
>Did you order the Reliant Handbook ?

No need, I have a box of matches...

-- 
Nigel

When the only tools you have are a Matchmaker CNC Mill, a Colchester
and assorted other stuff, every problem looks like a steam engine.

You certainly can produce lots of bits, ALL exactly the same size, by
making some BOX CUTTERS.
I use a Unimat 3 and have made two box cutters, sizes are 10 BA and 12
BA, for making hundreds of coach-bolts, that I use for the models that I
make.
There is an article on how to make the box cutter, it's in the Workshop
Practice Series # 14, Making Small Workshop Tools by Stan Bray.
I had a look at this article and then worked out that what I needed was
a very small one, to do the job required, so I drew up my own plans and
these are what I came up with. The hole in the end plate is the same as
the material that I use for the small bolts that I make. The toolsteel
position can be clearly seen and the way they are affixed to the
toolpost.
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to be able to draw one up, just
work out if you need an adjustable roller or have a fixed size hole in a
plate, the rest is easy.





[image:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/radish1us/IMGP0493-1.jpg]
[image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/radish1us/IMGP0494.jpg]
[image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/radish1us/IMGP0495.jpg]


regards  radish   :D


-- 
Radish1us
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radish1us's Profile: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=224005
View this thread: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=909562