Author Topic: Chuck's Die Filer  (Read 3970 times)

Offline cfellows

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Chuck's Die Filer
« on: October 18, 2018, 02:17:20 AM »
I started on this little die filer a few weeks ago and am almost finished with it.





It's made mostly from 1/2" thick hot rolled steel plate except the table supports which are 3/8" thick steel and the table which is 1/4" aluminum.  The motor is a 120v, DC gear motor, 1:6 ratio, with output shaft turning at 288 RPM at maximum voltage.  The oscillating rod is 1/2" stainless steel and the scotch yoke is made up of a brass slider running in a cast iron yoke.  The stroke is 1".  Here is a somewhat shaky video taken before I completed the table.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rT0P-4hN1K-IMgnFEZFnUqGXfziNzqda/view?usp=sharing

Total weight, so far is almost 17 pounds.  Don't think vibration will be a problem.  Still have to make the chuck which will hold the files and, oh yeah, figure out some files...

Chuck
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:06:22 PM by b.lindsey »
So many projects, so little time...

Offline 10KPete

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2018, 02:26:01 AM »
Oh, that's a sweet thing to see and (not) hear!  I've come just thaaatt close to making a die filer....... :ShakeHead:

Pete
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:07:21 PM by b.lindsey »
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Offline Ridjobradi

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2018, 04:07:10 AM »
That is a good looking build. Thank you for sharing.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:08:01 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline Mcgyver

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2018, 04:24:36 AM »
Nice.  Now you'll be on the prowl for die files.....bloody hard to find without paying a lot.  If you ever trip over a box, snatch them up as fast as you can!
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:24:51 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline gerritv

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2018, 01:05:55 PM »
That is a very practical design. The mass certainly helps stability.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:25:07 PM by b.lindsey »
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Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2018, 03:42:34 PM »
Very nice Chuck. Compact but heavy, a good combination!!

Bill
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:25:25 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline bent

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2018, 05:55:04 PM »
Pretty nice!  What kind of bearings/bushings are you using on the oscillating rod?
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:25:40 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline cfellows

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2018, 06:21:08 PM »
Pretty nice!  What kind of bearings/bushings are you using on the oscillating rod?

The rod slides in bearings made from cast iron.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:26:16 PM by b.lindsey »
So many projects, so little time...

Offline GWRdriver

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2018, 06:43:28 PM »
Good job so far, Chuck, on a clever little design.

You may already be too far along to change, but based on my experience with Milwaukee die filers I would make the file holder a 2-screw strap over a flat face.  The file holders on Milwaukee DFs use a notched yoke with two opposing (large) set screws - one to position the file and one to clamp it.  I've always had trouble with this arrangement both in fiddly setup and sometimes failure to hold the files securely vertically once set.  It also makes it difficult to adapt conventional files for DF use without ruining them for any other use.  A clamp arrangement would allow you to simply invert a file.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:26:32 PM by b.lindsey »
Cheers,
Harry

Offline cfellows

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2018, 08:57:28 PM »
I've left the file holder mechanism for last.  Right now, the 1/2" vertical rod has nothing attached to it.  I plan to allow for different, interchangeable clamping or file holding mechanisms so I can use plain files, die files, and needle files.  I believe I can also use chainsaw sharpening files since they seem to be straight and not tapered.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:26:53 PM by b.lindsey »
So many projects, so little time...

Offline GWRdriver

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2018, 09:41:06 PM »
I've left the file holder mechanism for last.  . . . I plan to allow for different, interchangeable clamping
Good thinking . . the best of several worlds, and this has even got me thinking about modifying the shaft on my DF.   :thinking:
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:27:14 PM by b.lindsey »
Cheers,
Harry

Offline Johnmcc69

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2018, 02:43:14 AM »
I'm glad you decided to build one of these Chuck. Looking forward to your file holder arrangement.

 Such a nice smooth action!

 John
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:27:33 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline Ian S C

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2018, 12:04:01 PM »
That looks like a good one. There are plans on the Model engineer site for a similar machine.
Ian S C
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:27:56 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline tractionengine 42

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Re: Chuck's Die Filer
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2018, 09:19:36 AM »
Great straight forward design, very impressive how smooth it runs.
I have a die filer on my project list, this is a great help.

Nigel
« Last Edit: November 13, 2018, 01:28:19 PM by b.lindsey »

 

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