Author Topic: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest  (Read 3779 times)

Offline smithdoor

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How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« on: December 14, 2016, 04:20:22 AM »

How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest

Offline crueby

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2016, 02:22:47 AM »
Clever. Did you have the ring rotate with the shaft, or did the shaft rotate inside the ring?

Offline philjoe5

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2016, 05:14:38 AM »
I've seen other versions of this and they're called a "cat head"

http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-lathe-cathead

Phil
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.  - Mark Twain

Offline smithdoor

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2016, 04:09:03 PM »
The ring is a lite press fit square shaft I also use for to dialing the 4 jaw

Here closer view

Dave



 
Clever. Did you have the ring rotate with the shaft, or did the shaft rotate inside the ring?

Offline smithdoor

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #4 on: December 14, 2016, 04:13:30 PM »
I have used the cat head in pass
Takes time to setup and I avoid using the cat head if I can
The ring simple and is fast to make and use
For chucking in a 3 jaw just split the ring in one spot. Center the square shaft ever time.

Dave

I've seen other versions of this and they're called a "cat head"

http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-lathe-cathead

Phil
« Last Edit: December 14, 2016, 04:22:36 PM by smithdoor »

Offline DTR

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2016, 05:01:38 PM »
Clever, I'll have to remember that one. Thanks!
Dave

Offline philjoe5

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2016, 05:00:01 PM »
Thanks Dave.  I can see your method is simpler than cat heads I've seen.  I'll have to try your approach some time.

Cheers,
Phil
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.  - Mark Twain

Offline PStechPaul

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2016, 05:36:27 AM »
For a piece of square stock 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4". or 1", you might be able to use a square drive socket. For other sizes maybe a 12 point deep socket. Another idea might be a piece of plastic stock pressed over the square piece, maybe using heat and melting it to fit.

Offline Brendon M

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2016, 10:21:52 PM »
Interesting ideas, thank you :)
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Offline kev

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2016, 01:48:19 AM »
whenever I get to that last 1/2 inch of brass or ally that you cant do anything with I bore it out to a standard size, trim it and slice it, I have a small box full of split collars for holding Squares or even rounds when you dont want to mark the surface

Offline PJW

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Re: How to machine a square shaft in a steady rest
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2016, 11:30:57 AM »
thank you for that tip, one I will remember!!
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