Turners Cube

[KB]

A turners cube has been on my list for some time. I was too lazy to build the required fixturing.
My Dad sent me this video where he uses hot melt glue to secure the cubes for the final operation.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuS6HDHc7XE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuS6HDHc7XE</a>

I was skeptical of the rigidity but it worked for him so I gave it a shot.
And now my Dad has a nice Fathers Day gift coming to him;

 

[AussieJimG]

That's a nice job. I like the chamfers and the overall finish. Dad will like it, I am sure.

Jim

[smfr]

Very neat, Kevin! I think you did a much better job than the guy in the video. Did you sandblast to get that finish?

Simon

[Dave Otto]

Yes the finished part looks very nice; I also like the blasted finish.

Dave

[tvoght]

It does look very nice. At first glance the photos looked like 3D renderings.
How did you remove the hot glue fixturing? In the video, he dips it in something that seems to soften it.

--Tim

[KB]

Thanks all!

Yes sand blasted. I thought it might soften some of the edges. A bit of a chore to deburr inside.
I also used a dovetail cutter in the mill to cut the relief.
This cube is 2.5" square.
I dunked it in boiled water to soften the glue. I actually made two and the first one I left in way too long and it turned into a huge mess. I think If I boil it for a while it'll all come off. The second one, I just dunked it in for a few seconds and it softened enough to grab with some pliers and yard out. I also only filled the bottom cavity.

[loggerhogger]

Im thinking about making one of those. Im just curious as to when drilling the smallest hole, why not drill all the way through?

[PStechPaul]

Very cool. I always wondered how such things were done. I have a sphere in a cube that was done using 3-D printing, but it's not anywhere near as nice looking. 

[b.lindsey]

Kevin, that is without a doubt one of the best examples of the turners cube I have seen....well done!!!

Bill

[crueby]

A while back sherline came out with a kit for one, bundled with some of the tooling. Check out their page, at the bottom it has a pdf with instructions for all the operations.
http://www.sherline.com/t1076pg.htm

I like the one you did, great job!

Interesting in the video, the split pipe as a collet, neat trick. Would not have thought of the hot glue trick either.

[kettrinboy]

Heres a variation on the theme a turners dodecahedron there are 4 dodecs altogether the smallest is hard to see on the pic , it was made something like 30 yrs ago by one of my grandads friends and I have used it as a key fob ever since hence the wear marks.
regards Geoff

[chucketn]

Thanks for resurrecting this post. I was looking for something to make that was different.
I have downloaded and printed the Sherline .pdf and am going through the math for different sixes of cubes.
My printer must be getting low on ink because the pictures are very light. I can't see the detail of the boring tool used for the undercuts. I think the cutting edge is pointed.
KevinB, can you please describe the profile of the undercut tool you used?

Chuck

[crueby]

Sherlines boring tools have a slight point projecting out, but only about 10 degrees.
http://sherline.com/images/3064pic.jpg

A longer undercut would make it better, in their instructions they have you regrind the tip to more of a hook.