Metal lathe knuckle saver

[skiprat]

I made a pen today that had slight tapers on the barrels. Anyone with a metal lathe will know that doing small tapers is a pain because your hand keeps knocking against the tailstock, which interupts the cut when using the topslide.
This little gadget is just an old handle from a broken drill press with a swivel rod end attached. Works like a charm and I cant believe I never made one before now:biggrin:

 

[DCBluesman]

I can't believe you never made one before, either!!!

Now, what the heck does it do?

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

I have no earthly idea but if skippy made it, it must do something important.:wink:

I can't believe you never made one before, either!!!

Now, what the heck does it do?

 

[holmqer]

I can't believe you never made one before, either!!!

Now, what the heck does it do?

It allows you to turn the compound slide handwheel without banging your knuckles on the tailstock.

To turn a taper, you set the angle on the compound then crank that wheel which makes the cutter move at the set angle.

 

[Pen Maker]

I don't see a cutter in the pic so he must be pressing something into a taper with very fine graduation control?

 

[skiprat]

LOL:biggrin:

It is a crank for turning the handle on the top slide. Turning the topslide handle advances the cutting tool at an angle along the work. Because the handle is so close to the tailstock when doing small things (like pens ) your knuckles bang against the tailstock. I also get cramp in my hand when trying to keep my hand out of the way. If a cut gets interupted before you finish it, it spoils the finish on the work. Clear?:biggrin:

 

[ldb2000]

The cutter is out of frame to the left .

Great idea Steven , if my lathe ever gets here I will have to make one of those .

 

[CaptG]

Great idea Skippy, now you need to motorize it.

 

[marcruby]

Cool little device. There's probably a market for it.

Marc

 

[PenPal]

Skippy

Why not make it easier still with a bearing in it.

Regards Peter.

 

[SuperDave]

... takes all the fun out of it...:biggrin:...

 

[TellicoTurning]

LOL:biggrin:

I also get cramp in my hand when trying to keep my hand out of the way. :biggrin:

My hands get cramps even when they're not out of the way.:biggrin::biggrin:.. sometimes I have to use a hammer to straighten the knuckles on my left hand.:wink::wink:.. good thing I'm right handed 'cause I can't hammer for S--- with my left hand.:biggrin::biggrin:

Cool tool

 

[bitshird]

Steven where did you find the heim ball joint? that's a great idea, especially with a 4 square tool post, they're usually in the way ant how, my poor old arthritic hands sure could use one of those

 

[Bellsy]

Brilliant idea Skiprat......

 

[skiprat]

Steven where did you find the heim ball joint? that's a great idea, especially with a 4 square tool post, they're usually in the way ant how, my poor old arthritic hands sure could use one of those

Ken, you should easily find a supplier just by Googling it, but if you can't, then let me know and I'll send you one.

Peter,(PWHay) rod ends are actually bearings and run almost as smooth as tradition ball bearings. The advantage of using this type is the free flexible movement. A solid ball bearing probably would put too much strain on the small topslide handle