Postby Philip Hall » Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:22 pm
Proto87Stores has posted in the Guest Book (presumably as a non member he can’t post here?) about an alternative design of form tool that would be more suitable for those of us with more delicate lathes. Like me, I’m quite content with my Unimat SL and can’t see me changing anytime soon.
The alternative he describes does appeal in some ways, so could something like this be considered please? I have reprofiled wheels by eye for a while now, often not bothering with the coning, just for fun (?) But a better way of ensuring the proper profile would be good, so any kind of form tool would be useful.
Can I also throw in a note of caution for those thinking of machining Alan Gibson or similar wheels where the tyres are just pressed on. They will probably shift if the wheel is only held by the centre, and I can’t see any easy way of holding them by the tyre whilst that is machined, since access to all sides of the tyre would be required. I think the only way would be to remove the tyre, then solder or glue it to a smaller thick brass disc which could then be held in a ring chuck.
Sharman EM wheels could be machined as the centre is locked on to the tyre, by skimming off the back of the tyre and then using the form tool to tickle up the flange etc. I wouldn’t touch Ultrascale for fear of altering an already superb product.
Am I thinking this out too much or are there simpler solutions, bearing in mind that the most important thing is that the wheels will end up perfectly round and wobble free?
Philip