Projects In Metal, LLC Free Metalworking Projects, Plans, Tips, and Tricks for the Amateur Machinist
Material: Steel
Units: (in)
I’ve seen many ball turning designs as I read through the back issues of Home Shop Machinist and Projects in Metal, but I’ve never seen one as simple and effective as Steve Bedair’s Ball Turning Toolpost.
Steve runs a website dedicated to 9 x 20 lathes and it’s full of great information. If you’re interested in this project, be sure to check out the other projects Steve has listed on his site.
Note: Because this project requires both a lathe and mill to complete, I’m listing it under both categories.
Here’s an image of Steve’s Ball Turning Toolpost in action:
And here’s a YouTube video clip of the toolpost in action:
Excited yet?
Here’s the link to the plans so you can create your own! If you want a detailed walkthrough of the process, be sure to visit Steve’s site.
Ball_Turning_Toolpost_-_Complete.pdf (225.4 KiB, 11,249 downloads)
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Oh, and the ball turner plans are still the most highly downloaded of all the plans (with nearly 1000 downloads after just 1 month), and I’m sure its due to your video. That should make you proud!
Tyler
Hi Tyler,
I think that MadModder has quite a few “guest” hits…. Just that only a few like to join and share!
Glad the link is sending some your way too (even the Mad boss himself! ;-) )
I’ve got a few things of my own design I have made but the plans are either not drawn up properly or (most of the time) there never were any! I make a lot of things on the fly.
If I use someone elses plans then they’re always listed or linked to.
Lately,I’ve been making a couple of small fun engine type ideas, all from my head, inspired by others though :-) None of them finished yet…. need to get myself back out into the cold workshop!
Happy that the vid’ is helping, glad to see more projects being listed since I first found my way here. I’m going to have a good look through.
Very, very good site you have here :-)
Ralph.
Hey, great site! I’m very excited to find your site… I plan on “cutting my teeth” and doing some of your projects to better my skill on the lathe. (Rather new to it) I’m thinking that this ball cutter tool could be used to also cut domes in metal by facing the cutter outward. This will be killer for modifying and making cylinder heads on scooter engines. Thanks for the great site! When I find the time, I’ll also post a link on my scooter forum. (http://forum.scooterinvasion.net)
~Josh
Hi Josh,
Glad to hear that you liked the site. My hope is that people new to machining will find simple, yet useful (and hopefully somewhat inspiring) projects to “cut their teeth” on. Eventually I’d like to expand the site a bit to include a few instructional videos that walk you through the project step by step. Even with a set of plans, someone completely new to machining would still have trouble getting started with even the most simple of projects.
Let me know if I can be of any help along the way as you start to hone your skills on the lathe. Good luck and have fun!
Liked it so much I bought the soundtrack!
This is an excellent design. I have been thinking of adapting this design to my Atlas lathe for some time. Way to go Tyler.
Many thanks Tyler, he did an excellent job with this…
I made one of these about a year ago. If you haven’t made one, do it! It is very cool watching the ball form, and you can make them very quickly once you learn to set it up correctly.
I made some changes to the design, because I’m lazy. I eliminated the step on the bottom of the body, and the coresponding pocket in the base. I also shortened up the base, but that was to make use of material on hand. In order to facilitate smooth action, I added a thin sheet (.010″) teflon beteween the body and base. I also used a washer of the same teflon sheet under the head of the screw. For the screw, I used a brass pan head, and after tightening, I staked over the thread where it comes up through the body. Smooth turning, and no chance of loosening. Turns very nicely, with only fingertip pressure.
Also, on the side where the 3 screws tighten onto the slide, I added a .06 brass shim. This prevents the screws from marring up the slide, and making it hard to adjust. Not my idea, but stolen from someplace on the web. It works well.
I used a 1/4″ round carbide bit, because that’s what I was given. But it cuts so easily, that I wouldn’t hesitate to replace it with HSS if the need arose. Making balls is quick, easy, and a surprising amount of fun. I’ve made them in aluminum, brass and stainless, and they all cut quite well, with hardly any effort. This is an excellent beginner project; highly recommended.
Thanks Tyler;
I own an engineering/manufacturing business in AZ, Were into some high end medical equipment among other things. This is by far the best ball turner design i’ve ever seen, i’ll definitely be putting one together for my shop in the near future and i see no reason to change anything except adapting dimensions to another lathe. Please accept my compliments on a wonderful piece of engineering.
Hi Bromac, thanks for the kind words. Although I can’t take credit for the design (it’s Mr. Bediars design). But the kudos are appreciated just the same!
When you get around to making yours, please post some pictures here. I’d like to see your finished project.