Chuck Guard

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Hi All

I cut quite a bit of brass and end up holding a piece of card up in front of the tool to stop them flying everywhere, so I'm wondering what clever ideas other have come up with to combat the flying chips.

Cheers H

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I've gone over to CCGT tips which don't produce the shower of chips that the usual suggested zero rake HSS tools do.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

A perspex screen fitted to one of the cheap magnetic bases make a useful screen for the lathe or mill to control nuisance chips.

Mike

[Nigel McBurney 1Participant @nigelmcburney1]

When machining brass with HSS toolbits, use a strip of brass about 1mm thick and the same width and length as the tool,clamp the brass on top of tool with the tool post screws,so that the brass protrudes a bit further than the tooltip,bend the brass up at about 45 degrees ,this deflects the swarf away from the operator,I always used brass as its easier to bend than steel,do not use shim,nasty stuff for cutting fingers.For a quick jobs ,its easier to keep out of the way of the swarf,but on long jobs its worth doing.It certainly made life easier when in my early days at work I could be machining brass or nickel silver for a week at a time on a Boxford.

[Trevor WrightParticipant @trevorwright62541]

Plunge in and cut backwards from the chuck to the tailstock, the swarf goes away from you.

Trevor

[Halton TankParticipant @haltontank]

My solution to problem of flying brass swarf.

Regards Luigi.

[Steven VineParticipant @stevenvine79904]

If you are in a rush, a cardboard box comes in handy (purists please look away now).

Steve

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Luigi

I like it may go that route,

Steven is that someone's house you have around your lathe

H

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

HI Steve,

You look like the sort of man who would be interested in my new line of workshop personal protective Equipment.

Neil

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Luigi,
Get a cover over your motor to keep swarf out of those vents.
I used a thick sheet of Aluminium with 2 slots, slackened motor bolts and slid ali. sheet in, 2 slots clearing the 2 bolts nearest the chuck.
John.

[Jesse Hancock 1Participant @jessehancock1]

Neil where did you get my photo from?

Laugh I almost cried.

Edited By Jesse Hancock 1 on 24/01/2015 23:07:16

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

You could always use the tool upside down in the rear tool post.

Ian S C

[Steven VineParticipant @stevenvine79904]

Neil

Lol. I am now thinking face mask and breast plate to keep the hot swarf off me,

One must not underestimate the usefulness of cardboard.

Steve

[John CParticipant @johnc47954]

Oh Neil! You have done it now. It won't be long before someone jumps on a hobby horse (wearing suitable PPE of course) and points out that hot swarf could ignite that cardboard breastplate and THERE ARE NO QUICK RELEASE FASTENERS TO JETTISON IT! Please modify your design forthwith.

John

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Neil

I hope that isn't a self portrait!

Norman

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> I hope that isn't a self portrait!

The thought crossed my mind to use it as my avatar

Neil

[FMESParticipant @fmes]

Normally I use an upholstery nozzle on the vac attached to the tool post (or just hold it there) Saves on the final clean up.

Works for the mill too.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

A full face visor is useful, and best not wear a woolly jersey, it's hard to get the brass chips out of the wool.

Ian S C

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Last year me and wife went to visit our new parliament in Edinburgh. Security search of course. They would not let me in because the metal detector was picking up signals all over. Finally realised what was causing it, yes jumper ,socks etc all had tiny bits embedded in them, and these are my good clothes. worth bearing in mind, maybe the airports won't be so understanding. Had quite a good discussion about lathes.

[NoviceParticipant @novice]

Why not use soluble coolant oil. This certenly makes a mess also but not in your clothing. It keeps the tiny bits together.

Or is this idea a form of cursing in the church?? Yes I know most people are turning brass dry, but for what good reason??

cheers

Jan

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Simple if you have the type of lathe that can do it, non threaded spindle.

Put the tool in upside down and run in reverse. All the chips get thrown into the pan.

I make for big fittings for BR for the air con units on the trains. I start off with a 2 1/2" hexagon brass bar at £550 a pop and I get nearly £200 for the chips in the pan so it's well worth it for me.

You can also do as Ian says and use the rear tool post if you have one, none of my lathes have.

It does make a lot of difference and brass splinters are one of the worst to get and fester straight away and are hard to get out.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> fester straight away

That's the copper. At least with green fingers you can take better care of that lawn of yours, John

Neil

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Copper seems to have a fair bit of Arsenic in it, although it is reduced for domestic water pipe.

John, you need a vacuum system to collect the chips.

Ian S C

[Author]

Posts