Does such a thing exist

[handirifle]

I'm doing a project with all copper bullets. Am cutting different ogive profile, but am doing it by hand by moving the compound as it cuts.  What I'd like is something along the lines of a pencil sharpener type of cutter that could fit into the drill chuck in the tailstock.

can you guys think of a way something like this can be made?  Let me post a pic here of what I've done and you'll get an idea of what I want to do, hopefully.



I'd like to consistantly and repeatedly cut it like the one on the left.

Ideas?  Suggestions?

[Keith L]

Back in the old days we used to have form tools for turret lathes that did just what you discuss.  I don't know if in the age of cnc machines there is a market for them any more.  You may want to contact a tooling supplier and see what they can offer.  It may be expensive.

[handirifle]

Thanks Kieth, any idea of whom to contzat?  Don't know any suppliers.

[Keith L]

Sorry.  I have been out of that for so long that my sources are all gone.  There were tool grinders around that we used.  You may want to ask at local machine shops or perhaps a local tech college.

[handirifle]

OK thanks

[JonD.]

Where I used to work we had tubing deburrs that did both the ID and OD of a tube. These had a removable pilot and would chamfer the OD with the pilot removed. The brand name on them was "Severance" and I'm thinking we got them from a local supplier. I think they would be what your looking for, and you can get them in just about any size from .187 OD and up. I think, but not sure you could get them in different angle cuts.

[JonD.]

Handi-Rifle they make just an outside cutter here is the link: http://severanc.brinkster.net/catalog/cutters.asp I don't know how much one of these would run but I would guess that they would be rather pricey.

[Nobade]

Why not just grind up a form cutter in the shape you want? Once it's done you can cut up all the bullets you want. Chatter might be a problem, and in that case you can do it in several tools instead of one but it's still not a big hassle. (us folks who don't own CNC lathes get lots of practice doing this, I guess it's kind of a lost art anymore.)

[handirifle]

Thanks will have a look see.

[handirifle]

I will contact them tomorrow.  Those look exactly like what I had in mind.  Hope their reply is a good one.

Thanks.

[handirifle]

Why not just grind up a form cutter in the shape you want? Once it's done you can cut up all the bullets you want. Chatter might be a problem, and in that case you can do it in several tools instead of one but it's still not a big hassle. (us folks who don't own CNC lathes get lots of practice doing this, I guess it's kind of a lost art anymore.)

Well, I have been cutting them with one made from HSS but am looking for something repeatable.  My method is nowhere near as consistant as I'd like.

[Keith L]

Copper can be hard to turn.  You need the right tool, coolant/lube in the right amount, and the proper speeds and feeds.  I remember it sticking to the tooling, and tearing out if I didn't have things set right.

All this talk about tooling makes me want to get out to the shed and clean off my old lathe...

[handirifle]

What I find most interesting about metal work so far, it seems like the softer metals are somewhat harder to work with.

I have another, unrelated question.

I need to true up a couple pieces of aluminum.  It's 3/4 X 3/4 rod and I need to cut off two sections and square the ends.  Can you trim the surface of square metal like you would round?

[JonD.]

What I find most interesting about metal work so far, it seems like the softer metals are somewhat harder to work with.

I have another, unrelated question.

I need to true up a couple pieces of aluminum.  It's 3/4 X 3/4 rod and I need to cut off two sections and square the ends.  Can you trim the surface of square metal like you would round?

If you have a four jaw chuck on your lathe, you sure can.

[handirifle]

I have one and the plan was to use it for that if possible.  Just wasn't sure about how it worked when you got to the corners with the facing tool.

[JonD.]

The square stock will face just like a round rod. I would run it at a fairly high speed--400 or more rpms. 

[handirifle]

Thanks Jon