Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
(OP)
Hey guys.
Im looking at starting up a garage business making some spun components from thin aluminium with a fairly intricate shape but fairly wide tolerances. Would it be possible to spin say a bell shape from 1mm thk aluminium, about 90mm long and 60mm max diameter on a wood turning lathe? I will be using wood mandrels anyway. Dont fancy stumping up for a metal turning lathe for the time being.
Im looking at starting up a garage business making some spun components from thin aluminium with a fairly intricate shape but fairly wide tolerances. Would it be possible to spin say a bell shape from 1mm thk aluminium, about 90mm long and 60mm max diameter on a wood turning lathe? I will be using wood mandrels anyway. Dont fancy stumping up for a metal turning lathe for the time being.
Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws





RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Thanks Dan.
Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
But today, we get our spun parts from a firm that does it on a CNC metal lathe, and achieves tolerances and repeatability much better than a manual process ever could.
Could it be done? Yes. Could it be done safely? Dunno, but if you talked to an old-timer about the tools and methods used you might get a better feeling for it. Find one who isn't called "Lefty", and has all his fingers.
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Take a look and see what you reckon.
http://www.stanford.edu/group/prl/documents/pdf/sp...
As it reaches in the 'artisan' side of things I'd think there'd be books or websites or something that would cover it for a DIY/artist point of view.
So long as you have your sheet clamping solution and take reasonable precautions then it may be feasible. Talking to someone who really knows in person may be best though.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Spinning tools bear a general resemblance to manual lathe tools, except that the handles are usually much longer, and a toggle lever mechanism (with another handle) is often used for extra leverage to deal with the high tool forces needed to deform metal on the fly.
I'm guessing the greatest danger lies ahead, when you have gotten away with it a few times, and take too big a bite in stock that's too thick, and excite the lathe bed into an exaggerated response.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Check out www.gerdingent.com
They have some videos on their website, a couple of them making the parts for our Gulfstream V research airplane. They'd also give you a quote on making your parts.
Steve R.
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws
RE: Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.
Example 1
[link http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Extremely-Rare-Wadkin-RU... [/link]