Yet another Ball Turning Tool. I have made a couple over the years, some OK, some not. I wanted one specifically for the Grizzly, that did not require removing the compound to use it. The basic idea was obtained from Steve Bedairs website, modified for my lathe. It is relatively easy to set up (for getting a truly round ball), and makes them as large as any I envision needing. The tool attaches directly to the mounting slot in the compound, and will be at the right height each time with no adjustments.
The ball turner was fabricated from A-2 tool steel. It consists of a base piece, a top plate for locking it into the compound, the rotating cutter housing, and the cutter that uses a carbide insert. The ball on the handle was made using the turner.
The rotating head is held in place using a SHCS, and includes two thrust bearings. A large one that is recessed into the round head, and a small one between the screw head and the base.
The projection on the base plate is a sliding fit into the compound tool holder. he detached piece will recess into the gap of the tool holder, and uses two flat head socket screws to secure it. The base is 10 to 15 thou thinner than the slot in the toolholder, and the step on top piece will allow clearance so the two pieces are "pinched" together when the screws are tightened..The large hole in the middle of the base plate was a mistake . . .
The cutter holder is a sliding fit in the rotating head. It is secured using three SHCS tapped into the side of the head. There is also a piece of steel rule attached, to indicate the radius of the ball to be turned. A line is scribed on the rotating head at the exact center rotation. The cutter holder can be reversed for turning a concave piece.
