Hi Allen. Very good video. Very interesting way to grind the point on the rotating center. I built one and got the idea from Richard on you tube channel making something from nothing. He used a ball baring for the shaft to ride on and it not only runs true but it gives it good support also.
Hi Anthony This method of grinding is was used in the tool room when making a batch of centres once the first on is set up the rest can be ground on the same setting.
Your live centre design is a bit different than most that I have seen. What I do not understand is why you did not mount the shaft of the centre in a collet and then turn the point to the angle needed. It seems as though you went to a great bother to perform a simple job. It looks good.
Hi Alan, I like the video,I often wondered what they looked like inside,back in the old days we ground them in situ, we tack soldered so that it all revolved togeather.
As far as I know the very best and most expensive live centers always have the tips ground while rotating within there own bearings. Since the factory's making them seem to protect there exact methods or at least don't generally show the details. My assumption has been they use a second slow rotating motor with something like a rubberized wheel touching behind the 60 degree section to rotate the point while it's being ground. I'd not thought about getting access to the full side of a center the way you showed, so many thanks for demonstrating another method. I am more than a little surprised though that there's no thrust bearings in that one.
Hi Chris. Removing the bearings was simple I used a spark plug socket (for the long reach) on the point and a length of bar smaller than the bearing ID to push the point out of the bearings using the vice.
I am wondering how that method differs from using a collect to hold the tip in the lathe head and angling the cutting tool to cut the center at the proper angle? I guess I don't see how they differ and that is why I am not a machinist. Just wondering...
Hi Gary I was just showing an alternative method to grinding the point if you don't have a collet set. This method is quicker if you have a number of points to grind as the change over time from one to another is seconds, and any grinding grit is well away from the headstock.
Hi The reason why you may need a hard tip is if you are In a production setting using the centre every day. You may also get marks on the centre if you offset the centre for tapper turning then more load is put on one side of the tip. The tip should revolve with the part and reduce friction between the centre and the part.
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Hi Allen. Very good video. Very interesting way to grind the point on the rotating center. I built one and got the idea from Richard on you tube channel making something from nothing. He used a ball baring for the shaft to ride on and it not only runs true but it gives it good support also.
Hi Anthony
This method of grinding is was used in the tool room when making a batch of centres once the first on is set up the rest can be ground on the same setting.
Your live centre design is a bit different than most that I have seen. What I do not understand is why you did not mount the shaft of the centre in a collet and then turn the point to the angle needed. It seems as though you went to a great bother to perform a simple job. It looks good.
By grinding it between centres, it insures that the point is true to the outside
Hi Alan,
I like the video,I often wondered what they looked like inside,back in the old days we ground them in situ, we tack soldered so that it all revolved togeather.
As far as I know the very best and most expensive live centers always have the tips ground while rotating within there own bearings. Since the factory's making them seem to protect there exact methods or at least don't generally show the details. My assumption has been they use a second slow rotating motor with something like a rubberized wheel touching behind the 60 degree section to rotate the point while it's being ground. I'd not thought about getting access to the full side of a center the way you showed, so many thanks for demonstrating another method. I am more than a little surprised though that there's no thrust bearings in that one.
Hi Thanks for your comments
Novel way to do that - and got a great result. Did wonder how much fun you had originally with the tear down, to get the bearings off!
Hi Chris. Removing the bearings was simple I used a spark plug socket (for the long reach) on the point and a length of bar smaller than the bearing ID to push the point out of the bearings using the vice.
Ahaha - now that makes total sense - had not really thought it out. :)
nice video my friend,easy explanation,thanks for sharing.
I am wondering how that method differs from using a collect to hold the tip in the lathe head and angling the cutting tool to cut the center at the proper angle? I guess I don't see how they differ and that is why I am not a machinist. Just wondering...
Hi Gary
I was just showing an alternative method to grinding the point if you don't have a collet set. This method is quicker if you have a number of points to grind as the change over time from one to another is seconds, and any grinding grit is well away from the headstock.
Hi. Is there a reason not to harden the tip? I’m new so I’m learning. Thanks. Great videos
Hi The reason why you may need a hard tip is if you are In a production setting using the centre every day.
You may also get marks on the centre if you offset the centre for tapper turning then more load is put on one side of the tip. The tip should revolve with the part and reduce friction between the centre and the part.
Hi Allen do you work a job as a machinist, how did you learn this trade?
Hi Tony
At the start of my career I was an engineering apprentice back in the 70s and specialised as a universal grinder in the tool room for 10 years
hi, I would sure like to see you drill grinding set up? thank you I just found you video on making it.
Very cool