fins on a mag D

[Robatman]

Hi all,
I am a woodworker and was wondering how i could use my lathe and chisels to machine fins in a Mag head.
My wood lathe is a cheapy and has a speeds of 700-2100 rpm, and i have both HSS and old carbon steel tools. I am happy to regrind the older tools to the most appropriate angle- ie sharper or 'squarer' point- what is the best cutting angle on the tool?

Is this best done with slow or high speed and which chisel is most likely to work??

thanks
Robert

 

[modamag]

Hi Robert,

Wood lathe and metal lathe is slightly different in the way the tool holder are supported.
But if you can get "enough" support, go slow as you can prolly 700 RPM and wear PPE.
It's the same operation as parting.

On my lathe I go about 200 RPM.

 

[gadget_lover]

Let us know how that works for you. I imagine shallow grooves will not be too hard to do. I'd be afraid that the tool may fly if if digs into the aluminum.

Daniel

 

[scott.cr]

While not impossible, I think it would be difficult to feed the tool straight into the work, and I mean STRAIGHT into the work. The slightest deviation will leave you with funny looking fins. They only have to be off by .005" for it to be noticeable. You might be able to do it with some sort of fence or guide to put the tool against, but then you'll have to work out a way to very precisely space each fin. (Oh, and use lots of cutting fluid, WD-40 works well for aluminum.)

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Hi all,
I am a woodworker and was wondering how i could use my lathe and chisels to machine fins in a Mag head.
My wood lathe is a cheapy and has a speeds of 700-2100 rpm, and i have both HSS and old carbon steel tools. I am happy to regrind the older tools to the most appropriate angle- ie sharper or 'squarer' point- what is the best cutting angle on the tool?

Is this best done with slow or high speed and which chisel is most likely to work??

thanks
Robert

Well, after you ruin the first head and have to go buy another Mag, plus considering the time spent sharpening your tools, and the time needed to figure out how to properly space the cuts, you will have invested way too much time, effort and money to justify doing the work on a wood lathe.

Instead, just send it off to Mirage_Man, who has a lathe capable of doing the job, as well as the experience. And the price will be quite reasonable also.

Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in Mirage_Man.

 

[will]

WHOA !!!!!!!

Unless you have a metal working lathe - DO NOT ATTEMPT to use a wood chisel on metal. There is significant difference in the strength of wood vs aluminum. The first grab with metal will flip the wood chisel right back at you..

I have worked both - I use a metal lathe to do a lot of wood working, that is OK. There is a reason that metal lathes have a carriage that holds the cutting tool. I do a lot of things that stretch what my lathe can do and I have a good feel for working both metal and wood. If you push a parting chisel into a piece of wood to quickly, you will just take a larger chunk of wood out. Metal does not work that way, the chisel will either break off or it will flip. This may wedge the tool between the chisel 'stand' or some other place. There is a tremendous amount of force used to cut metal..

You may get away for a bit, but it is like using a cigarette lighter in a dark room to check for a gas leak!!!!

There are some things that can be done on a wood lathe, you can polish metal, your can use a metal file ( very carefully ) to round over corners, you can use various types of sandpaper and cloths.



If you want fins on a Mag 'D' head - there are plenty of people here that can do it for you at a reasonable cost.

 

[Robatman]

I guess its not a smart option.. i did give it a go before i posted and made some nice grooves, but barely 2mm deep using a parting chisel. To actually go to depth would defintately be beyond my hands to keep steady and not "catch". I have a fair degree of experience turning wood though still have had plenty of catches with bowls etc where the wood piece flies off and even been hit in the head a few times. Luckily i always wear a full face helmet with integral dust extraction.

I thought the HSS would be able to stand the heat build up and be a lot harder than Al, but knew the downfall would be in holding the tool steady. (and suspected the rpm was too high)

In Australia the cost of mags is not cheap (50+USD) and to send it away to someone is probably more than i want to do..hence the DIY approach!!
Oh well, at least i've got a nice red mag with raw al stripes!!

thanks for your replies,