Broaching screwdriver slots on lathe

[laka]

Has anyone ever seen a tool that can broach a slot on the face of a piece for a flathead screwdriver?

We need to make a bunch of brass shear-pins with a slot on the face, I was thinking of using something like a hacksaw blade in the turret and moving the X axis across the face of the part with the spindle locked. Then just part them off.

Thanks

[Geof]

Originally Posted by laka .....We need to make a bunch of brass shear-pins with a slot on the face, I was thinking of using something like a hacksaw blade in the turret and moving the X axis across the face of the part with the spindle locked. Then just part them off. Thanks

Don't use a hacksaw blade, just use a single point tool and take several cuts each a few thou deep. You should be able to do it at a very fast feed rate, maybe even a rapid, because your feed rate in this instance is actually your cutting speed.

[laka]

Crap.. I just checked and our lathe doesn't have a spindle lock, only spindle positioning. Do you think doing multiple passes would work still, or would she move around?

[Geof]

Originally Posted by laka Crap.. I just checked and our lathe doesn't have a spindle lock, only spindle positioning. Do you think doing multiple passes would work still, or would she move around?

Cross fingers and try; spindle orientation (positioning) can hold the position quite good provided not much turning force is exerted. If your cutter is exactly on center iot should not have much tendency to turn the spindle.

[cam1]

Hi:
If the tool is dead nuts on center there will be no force to cause rotation. (in theory)

regards

[AR1911]

If you have a backgear, leave the bullgear engage (pin in the side of the gear) while the backgear is engaged. It will be locked solid.
Don't forget to undo it before you hit the power switch