Turning Brass w/ Wood Tools

[boblon]

I am working on a little project and am considering chucking up a piece of 1" diameter brass rod and creating a simple shape like this:




on my wood lathe using HSS tools.

Am I crazy or is this possible?

Thanks,
BobL.

[monte]

Not so sure you should do this with a wood lathe Bob. You'll have some problems trying to control the cut. A metal lathe would be a much better choice.

[Jim Boyd]

Kinda hard to cut that pattern too Is that something that will be inlaid? I have turned brass key shavings in inlays with no problems.

[Stytooner]

One of the issues I encounter turning brass is that it can be deceptively hard. Depends on the grade, of course, but it likes to chip off when being turned rather than a longer curl. This is with a metal lathe too. This action will invite gouging and catching of the tool.
Now with a little ingenuity, you can make a clamp that will help hold the tool. The tools cutting edge should be dead center on the brass and be held level. This might help eliminate some of the chattering effect. Finish up with a file and then sand down to fine grit.

As for that cross pattern, not sure what plane I'm looking at. How about a simple 3d sketch?

[boblon]

Thanks for the input guys. It is a cross section view. Basically I would start with round brass stock. Would just like to use it between two pieces of wood. Here's a 3D (sort of) illustration. I figured this would be the easiest shape to attempt.




I have a vise that moves in multiple axis, was thinking maybe I could mount a cutting tool in that.

BobL.

EDIT: I guess I named the file the same cause it changed the original one, didn't warn me though.

[Stytooner]

My guess is yes. Take it slow and easy. Make certain that your cutter is held well. Also don't use a good wood cutting tool. Let us know how it goes.

[boblon]

Ok, don't know yet if I'll try it or not, if I do I will report what happened, good or bad.

Thanks,
BobL>

[kwgeorge]

Bob, I am here for ya buddy. Your idea with the cross slide vise is a good one. Go to Harbor Freight and get a pack of the cheap carbide bits Item #40637. If you decide to you HSS steel and want to grind your own you will need to grind a less aggressive profile than what you have on a woodturning tool. You also need a relief grind on the top of the tool of about 7 to 10 degrees. If you don’t understand what I am saying I can go into more detail for you.

[boblon]

Ken, I was about to give up on the idea, but now you've got me wondering again. I made one of those scrapers per you article (great article that produced a much used tool), anyhow, I have a piece of that steel left, ya know that cobalt stuff. It is a square profile and should lock into the vise nicely.

I also have some of these:




with a large hunk of carbide for the tip (that's a quarter there BTW). The carbide is angled back from the corner (two are still coated in thier wax), is this what your referring to as a relief grind?

Problem with these bits is that the shank is round and even supported in a wood block in the vise I was afraid they might twist on me.


BobL.

[kwgeorge]

Bob, don’t use the boring bars. If you have a piece of that square cobalt left then you have your answer. Here is an article on sharpening that tool;

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe...l_grinding.htm

The key to turning metal is patience. It is not a wet log so take your time and remove just a little bit at a time.

Oh yeah, make sure you work with the cutting tip at center line of the piece you are turning.

[boblon]

Well, after bothering you guys with all this it looks like it may not be necessary. Due to a design change that will make the other pieces of this project easier to fabricate (hopefully) I can use other means to do what I need to.

I do appreciate all the input and have learned some (always handy), so it wasn't useless.

Also, this whole thing sounds like an interesting experiment and I may try it just for S&G's, but not right now.

Thanks for all the good info though.

BobL.