Aluminium spinning on a wood turning lathe.

[TED7]

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.

Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws

 

[Eltron]

That sounds like you're begging to have an accident if you try that.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[TED7]

Ha! I take that as a firm NO then.

Thanks Dan.

Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws

 

[btrueblood]

Dunno, most of the low-volume spinning done in days past was done with hand held tools much like on a wood 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.

 

[KENAT]

I'd think it might be possible, with some of the softer alloys anyway.

Take a look and see what you reckon.

http://www.stanford.edu/group/prl/documents/pdf/spinning.pdf

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.

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[mcgyvr]

Its done all the time on wood lathes.

 

[TED7]

Thanks guys, that PDF was pretty damn helpful. I think I'm going to have a hard time finding an experienced manual spinner these days though!

Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws

 

[MikeHalloran]

Spinning lathes bear a general resemblance to wood turning lathes. I think they generally have heavier, stiffer frames. Starting with 1mm thick material might work okay on a decent (heavy) wood 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

 

[49again]

Ninja -

Check out

http://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.

 

[TED7]

I think in that case I may end up getting hold of a larger used wood turning lathe, should it turn out to be unsuitable I will just refurbish it and sell it on / get a proper lathe.

Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws

 

[ScottyUK]

The old British machines by 'Wadkin' were, by the standards of woodworking machinery, massively built: some of the larger ones could almost be mistaken for a metalworking machine from a distance. Only snag is that they still command a decent price today even though many have seen their fiftieth birthday. That said, a Wadkin machine will not depreciate much so you'll get back your investment when you sell it. They also made some (relatively) light lathes for the education market which are heavier than average for this class of machine but perhaps not quite up to metal spinning.

Example 1