Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Swiss turning conversion

stratton@... wrote:

> in my case I'm making limited quantities of tooling
> rather than finished parts, so having a bushing that wears out after a
> couple hours of use is not a problem.

If it just wears out and you can live with it, fine. If it seizes up on
you, you'll not be a happy camper.

Since you just want to support the shaft, what about a pair of roller
bearings opposite the tool with a third bearing heavily spring loaded
into the other two? I made such a setup once, except it mounted to the
toolpost. Had to turn 24" lengths of 1/2" nylon, worked like a champ.
Actually it was a custom tool holder/bearing setup that went into a tool
an Aloris tool holder. If I still have it, I'll snap a pic and email it.
I'd think it wouldn't be too difficult to mount this rig to the carraige
instead of the toolpost. It's easily adjustable, ball bearings ought to
last a long time, and they're cheap. (compared to making throwaway
bushings)

Keep in mind that you must either turn your part in one pass, or you can
rough in steps roughly equal to something less than the distance between
the support and the tool, and you won't be able to take a finish pass.

Jon