Need Help!- LATHE BOX TOOLS

[RMDMARINE]

I am looking for .625 in shank box turning tools to turn a 6 inch type 316 S/S .250 rod to .125 +/- .001 for 4.000 inches. Steady rest get in the way and follow rest with bearings do not work either. I tried the follow rest with small bearings but at the RPM I run at they destroy themselves even with coolant on them. I have even tried to centerless grind them but the problem there is the drawing calles for a .005 max corner radius. I even tried second operation and machine the corner but concentricity goes out of spec.

In the early 80's I had a Hardinge 8 station chucker (still have it) with box tooling but since my son now has my shop he did not know what they were so he /hit canned them. I called Hardinge and they do not make them any more and I remember Brown & Sharp had them for their machines but can not find any of them either.

I have searched on Ebay, googled "box tool" and searched for threads and no luck. So my question is does any one know if their are any after market companies that have them.

RMD

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

RMD, Try "Googling" roller box tool. I did and there's a few new suppliers as well as on "E-bay".

Dick Z

[beege]

http://www.boyar-schultzsmt.com/box_tools.htm

[BYTHEBOOKBOB]

This is a perfect example of a Swiss-turn sliding headstock lathe job. The rotating stock is held in the collet and pushed through a guide bushing of the same size. The cutting tool is positioned very close to the face of the guide bushing and within reason can reduce the stock diameter from the bar stock diameter to most any size for virtually any length. The tool only moves in the "X" dimension and usually cuts full depth resulting in the part being turned to finish diameter in one pass. The part you describe is a Very simple part for this type of machine and the tolerance and corner radius specifications would be no problem. We make parts like this everyday. A part like this would take less than a minute to make. You might consider getting a quote from a Swiss house prior to spending a lot of money on a roller box turning tool.

[RMDMARINE]

I just got back in town and want to thank everybody for the info. I will check out the info tomorrow.

RMD

[pvellenga]

I have used the Genesee Manufacturing and LMT Fette Tool tools. Give them a look. I had good success with both.