Dave's "Sherline Tooling" Filing Rest, Turning Rest, and Simple Indexer

[Dave Otto]

Hi Guys

I wanted to share a fill-in project that I have been working on over the last couple of months. These are some tools that I have made for my Sherline lathe. One of the things that I have wanted to be able to do on the lathe is some free hand turning and also the ability to file flats on small round parts, special size model bolts, nuts, etc.
I have had the book “Workshop Techniques for Clockmakers and Modelmakers” by W, R. Smith for several years and liked his design for the simple indexer for the Sherline lathe. He has also made designs for a turning rest and filing rest that adapts to the turning rest. The filing rest is quite popular and even sold by Sherline but is not inexpensive by any means.

I have made the filing rest and the simple indexer to Mr. Smith’s drawings but decided to go a different direction for the filing rest.
I had seen one on the internet that was designed by Egar T Westbury, a kit sold by Hemmingway if I remember correctly. I liked some aspects of his design but not everything. I took the basic design and made some major changes to it. For starters and maybe the biggest thing, I designed the main frame to fit the Sherline lathe using the W.R. Smith clamping system that he had designed into his turning rest.
I had a 5/16”-40 tap on hand and that worked out just perfect. The 40 tpi and the angle machined into the roller frame gives me a half thou per division on the dial, or one thousandth across the flats on the part.
I moved the screw assembly to the other side of the frame to keep it out of the swarf, then added a 3D printed cover to help keep it clean.
I also moved the lock screw to the rear of the tool which moved it away from the adjustment dial.


Here is the 3D assembly from Alibre


Here is my filing rest, the main frame which is a angle section was machined from a chunk of A-36 plate that I had on the shelf.


A view from the other side shows the roller frame and the pin that drives it up and down via the angled slot. The rollers are hardened 01 tool steel and the shoulder screws that they ride on are case hardened mild steel.


This shot shows the screw assembly, The nut was threaded with a tap that I had on hand and the screw single pointed in the lathe. The bearing blocks and nut are both case hardened. All the clamp parts are made from 01 tool steel and hardened.


Here is a close-up of the adjusting knob and it’s 25 divisions. I did the divisions by putting my indexer on my surface plate and using a height gauge with a carbide scriber to cut the lines. This actually worked out well and saved a bunch of time.


Here is a shot from the rear showing the lock screw. It has a small brass pad that bears on the side of the roller frame.


Here it is mounted on the lathe, very quick and easy to add or remove.


This is the simple indexer made to W. R. Smith’s plans. It works quite well and if ever needed a larger plate with the appropriate number of holes can be added. For what I do 12 holes will most likely take care of it. The arm is made from tool steel and tempered so it is nice and springy.


This is the W. R Smith designed tool rest.


I didn’t have any tool steel large enough for the tool rest, so I made it from 4140 steel and heat treated it. I is not as hard as I would have liked, 4140 doesn’t get as hard. If it ends up wearing too much, I will make another one down the road from tool steel.


I was going to make wood graver handles as outlined by W.R. Smith but then discovered that the Starrett 166-C pin vise is a perfect fit. This also makes sharpening easier by being able to remove the tool from its holder.
The Starrett 166-C pin vise is also my go to file handle for needle files, it grips firmly and is comfortable to use.


Just playing around with some hand turning and filing. The bullet shape was turned using a graver and the flats done using my new filing rest. I probably only have 10 or 15 minutes in this little sample. I’m quite pleased with how it all works.


If anyone is interested, this is the book that I have been referring to, I believe that it is still available along with some others form Mr. Smith.

Thanks for looking.
Dave

[cnr6400]

  Nice work Dave, those tools should be very useful. 

[crueby]

Beautiful work! 

[Sanjay F]

Looks incredible, Mr Smith certainly has some letters after his name!

[Charles Lamont]

Some very nicely made and useful tools there, Dave. I am particularly impressed by the very crisp and precise knurling.

[terryzilla]

Looks great Dave,
Two project that I have wanted to do but I never seem to find the time to do....
Terry

[55fairlane]

Very nice!

[Kim]

You don't make tools, Dave.  You make beautiful works of art!   

Kim

[d.williams]

As usual, your work is first class and your photography excellent!

Don Williams

[Chipswitheverything]

These are rather beautiful tools!, lovely finish and crisp detailing, and very nicely designed for being easily secured on the machine and quickly removed after their use. They should be very useful. Dave

[Krypto]

Lovely photographs that perfectly capture the beautiful work done in making these tools!

My last few shop sessions have been devoted to tiny work at the lathe so I found your post especially interesting.  I'm starting to see the appeal of these small lathes and I've done enough research that if a used Sherline was available locally I could make an intelligent buying decision.  Luckily they haven't changed much over the years.

[crueby]

About the only thing they changed over the years is how the backlash nuts are shaped, and the brand of the motors has changed a couple times but they all have the same specs. On a used ones, check for wear on the leadscrews and the ways, and how well the chuck jaws look. Parts and accessories are interchangable between old and new ones. The Sherlines are not as rigid for big parts as larger machines, but for small work they are great.

[Dave Otto]

Thank you for all the very nice comments, they are all much appreciated!

Dave

[Jeff123]

Hi Dave,
Well here's another comment.
I to own a Sherline and like you have made a number of accessories.
All of them useful but none made to standard you have set with yours, which really is exceptional.
I really like the tool rest, when time permits maybe I shall.....?
Cheers Geoff
I loved Idaho, passed through many years ago.