A different technique for rotary work

Topics related to wrapped rotary machining in Aspire or VCarve Pro
Post Reply
Fleming
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:41 pm

A different technique for rotary work

Post by Fleming »

I have been carving a lot of bowls lately with the indexer and one issue is trying to make the walls thin by making the inside shape parallel to the outside shape. This is a technique that I tried and was successful but not one that I would recommend for most users.

It consists of attaching an Easy Wood Pro Easy Finishing gouge with a round carbide cutter to the underside of the X carriage such as seen here:
Gouge attached to X carriage to feed bowl on lathe motor
Gouge attached to X carriage to feed bowl on lathe motor
I modified the post processor to only use the XY coordinates as the Z axis in not used and is fixed to the center point of the lathe setup. Here it is cutting:
Cutting inside the bowl
Cutting inside the bowl
Here you can see where the inside of the bowl was shaped:
Cutting the inside shape to mirror the outside shape
Cutting the inside shape to mirror the outside shape
(Exterior carving is done on the indexer.)

There are several caveats to these technique. First, the toolpath generation is very important as the cutting edge cannot be "lifted" out of the way and when it moves from one location to another it must be in previously cleared space. Second, the process is VERY SLOW as only minute cutting can take place - the speed is 1 inch per minute with a 1/100" step-over and the lathe motor turning CW at about 1500 rpm. Third, roughing out the inside on a lathe is necessary so the XY cutter has an entry point. Fourth, a lot of damage can be done to your machine and possibly to you if something goes wrong.

So, in summary I don't recommend this setup unless you are expert with both software, G-code, and your machine. In any case try at your own risk.

User avatar
mtylerfl
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5865
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: -CarveWright CNC -ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha
Location: Brunswick, GA

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by mtylerfl »

Looks like something Gary Campbell might do. :D

Different and a little dangerous! Whatever it takes to get the job done.
Michael Tyler

facebook.com/carvebuddy

-CarveWright CNC
-ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha CNC

User avatar
Leo
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4082
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:02 am
Model of CNC Machine: 1300 x 1300 x 254 Chinese Made
Location: East Freetown, Ma.
Contact:

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by Leo »

Looks intriguing
Imagine the Possibilities of a Creative mind, combined with the functionality of CNC

User avatar
IslaWW
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1402
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:42 pm
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Controller Upgrades
Location: Bergland, MI, USA

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by IslaWW »

"Looks like something Gary Campbell might do. :D "

After some thought, I am taking this as a compliment! :lol:

Fleming: Good job, it appears that most anything done on a rotary axis is out of the box.

"Fourth, a lot of damage can be done to your machine and possibly to you if something goes wrong"
Sounds like a perfect reason to try it, at least a few times!
Gary Campbell
GCnC Control
ATC & Servo Controller Controller Upgrades
GCnC411 (at) gmail.com

4DThinker
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1701
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:14 pm
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Shark Pro, Probotix Meteor 25" x 50"

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by 4DThinker »

Brilliant. I just had to say it. Love to see a video of your lathe tool in action.

4D

User avatar
mtylerfl
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5865
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: -CarveWright CNC -ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha
Location: Brunswick, GA

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by mtylerfl »

IslaWW wrote:"Looks like something Gary Campbell might do. :D "

After some thought, I am taking this as a compliment! :lol:
Yessir, it is!
Michael Tyler

facebook.com/carvebuddy

-CarveWright CNC
-ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha CNC

Fleming
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:41 pm

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by Fleming »

Thanks for the comments :)

4D - I thought about a video but the process moves so slowly you would fall asleep before you saw it move :wink:

User avatar
dealguy11
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2462
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:52 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Anderson Selexx 510
Location: Henryville, PA

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by dealguy11 »

That is very cool. Not for production work, but for onsie-twosies I can see this as an interesting addition to the arsenal.
Steve Godding
Not all who wander (or wonder) are lost

User avatar
TReischl
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4575
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:04 pm
Model of CNC Machine: 8020 48X36X7 RP 2022 UCCNC Screenset
Location: Leland NC

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by TReischl »

Very cool. But I do not have the patience for that sort of thing.

As I type I am debating purchasing a lathe hollowing system with a laser attachment to control wall thickness.

I have a 1944 Delta lathe that works great but I am not the world's greatest turner.
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns

Fleming
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:41 pm

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by Fleming »

Let me know how that works out as I have considered the same thing. I am not a very good turner either! :oops:

User avatar
TReischl
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4575
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:04 pm
Model of CNC Machine: 8020 48X36X7 RP 2022 UCCNC Screenset
Location: Leland NC

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by TReischl »

Flem, there are a lot of good reviews over on Sawmill Creek about a system called Simple Hollowing System.

I am trying to hold the cost down a tad, some of those captured tool systems are pricey as all get out. They do not seem too bad until you add in about 3-4 of the actual tools.

Been using some of the Easy Tools to do the bowl work. They are pretty good because they are basically scrapers which is about the easiest way possible to turn. Of course, a lot of real turners scoff at scrapers because they do not produce that sliced finish. Myself? Sandpaper works good for me on lathe! Plus, I want to try some of that epoxy finishing using West Systems and then have a go at airbrushing. Another pricey little tool, sheeesh.
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns

Fleming
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:41 pm

Re: A different technique for rotary work

Post by Fleming »

I couldn't get along without the Easy tool and its carbide cutters. Makes turning a lot easier for a novice like me :)

Post Reply