How do I make a center

[rod88]

If I wanted to cut a center on a cnc lathe how would I go about it as far as the program is concerned. Centers are 60 degrees right? If I put a blank bar in the chuck what would be my program? I have never made a center on a cnc lathe, could someone please help?

[CNCRim]

hmmmmmmmm X0 is center of the part. Post a pix of the part, then I can help you better.

[rod88]

I am just looking to make a regular center that would be used to hold a part with a center drilled end. Yes X0 would be the center of the part.

[Hennessy]

i am going to take a guess here.... your wanting to make a dead center correct? http://www.royalprod.com/product.cfm?catID=9&ID=68 if that's the case i would recommend just buying one. turning a ruff one wouldn't be to hard but it would need to be heat-treated and finish ground. It would be way cheaper to just buy one.

Hennessy

[rod88]

Yes, thank you I just didn't know if any one still made there own centers. I would still be interested in knowing how to go about it.

[BobWarfield]

rod88, by all means buy one if your intent is to use it in your tailstock.

OTOH, sometimes it is handy to run a dead center in a chuck, for example if you wanted to turn between centers so you can remove your part and put it back between the centers with precision.

In that case, it is perfectly reasonable to stick some stock in your chuck and turn a 60 degree point on it. Leave it in the chuck until you're done with it, and true it up again with a light cut if you use it again.

Cheers,

BW

[rod88]

That is what I want to know how to turn it in the chuck if I was using a dead center in the chuck. How would I write the program to turn it? Would it just be a formula for start and end?