Extra axis on lathe?

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

I've been watching too much youtube lately!

I've been inspired to make a drill powered "live" toolpost powered by a battery drill. I've had great success, (for a change!). I can mill a slot and drill holes quite well. I need to make an indexing plate and spindle brake, before I'm calling this one done.

My question is, has anyone else done this? I'm thinking about having the toolpost spindle mounted to a slide, (such as a vertical mill slide), to allow me to mill flats vertically.

I can index etc on the mill, but quite like the idea of doing quick jobs on the lathe.

Can anyone help?

Thank you Jim

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Watchmakers and Ornamental Turners have been doing this for generations … Typically using an 'overhead drive'.

For a model-engineer's take on this: Have a look at "Milling in the Lathe" by Edgar T Westbury.

MichaelG.

.

http://www.j-m-w.co.uk/tools9.html

http://www.the-sot.com

http://anglo-swiss-tools.co.uk/schaublin-70-and-102-accessories/

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 02/08/2018 20:13:34

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 02/08/2018 20:15:52

[David TParticipant @davidt96864]

This was a very popular technique back before hobby milling machines became common. It still is very common amongst the clock makers, especially for wheel (gear) cutting. If you look in the old books (Sparey, Westbury etc) you'll see many examples of how a milling spindle can be used to great effect; the only difference being that they generally used a stand-alone motor for power (battery drills weren't invented yet!)

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

I have mounted an indexing plate on my DB-10G.

I then went a step further and coupled a rorary table to the spindle.

This is my toolpost mounted drill.

 

Les.

Les.

Edited By Les Jones 1 on 02/08/2018 20:14:43

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Great minds think alike!

I made this about 15-16 years ago. A steel body replaces the casing and slipping clutch of the original drill. The 'motor casing' is a spice tub. Limited by the poor quality (original) bearings and chuck but I did a few jobs with it:

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

One way and another I use a milling spindle on the lathe quite a lot.

Sometimes it is more convenient to use this method than the milling machine but there are cases where the job can't be done on the mill.

Rod

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

There used to be a thing called 'Quickstep Mill' which clamped in the toolpost

**LINK**

If I came across one of those Arrand spindles I'd buy it like a shot (see Roderick above)

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

Thank you for all the replies.

I'm using an ER16 collet at the moment, that will allow up to 10mmØ cutter, which is plenty for now.

Rod,and Les, your photos have further inspired me, thank you!

I'm going to sort out a spindle brake and indexing plate, hopefully I'll get a cheap vertical slide soon.

Jim

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

Quick update!

I've just got back from Arceurotrade with **LINK**

Jim

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

MEW published the designer's drawings for a Quickstep Mill, made one, it has its uses.

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

made some progress today.

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

I'm very pleased with progress so far. I'm powering the spindle with a Makita battery drill for now. Its working very well!

Just need to sort out a spindle brake and indexing ring for the back of the spindle next.

Jim

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