Electric Engraver as a toolhead
 

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/mes...tml?1267636020

Interesting idea.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/mes...7997/51787.jpg
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/mes...7997/51788.jpg

I like that Jeff ...... never would have thought of doing that:D

Check out the shopbot link, there is a diamond drag engraver that works really well also. A little pricey from the source mentioned, but someone with a lathe could probably make one. Right JR? :)

I think that is an interesting idea being able to engrave.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOO hold onto your wallet guys!!!!!!!!!! Let me show you how to build one for dirt cheap.

You will need one of these....... http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...PMAKA=327-9871

And one of these in a 3/16 shank...... http://www.2linc.com/engraving_tools...tools.htm#3-16

You can use the tap guide with just the hardened tip for soft metals with no problems. If you want to bump up to steel you will need the diamond tip and you might have to ream out the tip ever so slightly. I have been just using the HSS tip on plastics and aluminum with no problems.

Here are a couple of photos of what it looks like on the inside.

Russel that looks great. Will have to try that one. How do you use the tap guide for its original purpose. Cant seem to figure it out from looking at it.?

Heath, It guides the tap :D

There is a few ways to use it. If you want tapped holes that are pretty accurate you would:

1. Clamp down your piece.
2. Drill Hole for tap.
3. Remove Drill Bit.
4. Insert Tap Guide
5. Insert Tap and Tool.
6. Lower the chuck as close to the tap as you can.
7. Start spinning the Tap.

The spring guide will keep your tap on track with the drilled hole. This will help you from having broken taps and makes it stupid easy to line up the tap.

Another way of doing it especially for a lot of little holes ( >3/16" ) is to:

1. Drill all of your holes.
2. Remove your drill bit.
3. Insert Tap Guide.
4. Lower tap guide to work and let tap guide center the hole.
5. Lock Chuck into position and clamp work down to the Drill Press.
6 Raise Chuck and insert tap and tool.
7. Tap Hole
8. Return to Step 4 and continue with the remaining holes.

Just incase you didnt know the little holes and pointed ends on taps are not meant to look cool but are actually meant for a Tap Guide. :D

Here are some photos to show the setups and what I am talking about.


Edit: I didnt actually do the process in the photos i just showing the setup. Also my chuck doesnt look that bad in real life. The flash must have done something but I will put a good coat of oil on it in a few minutes. Should also note that this work great for hand tapping in a lathe as well.

Russel, thanks for sharing. Gotta try this some day.

Thanks Russell for saving us lots ! :D

Russell, thanks for the explanation. I figured it was for guiding a tap from the description, :D but since I have not seen it done, and being an electronics guy, could not figure out how to use it. The pics make it all make sense.
thanks

I have wondered if you could use a lathe tool with carbide insert to cut mild steel, with a scraping action. The stepper should be able to hold the bit at 90 degrees to the cutting directio of travel, or at skew if desired. The gantry and table seem to be built to handle torque in the x-y direction; I don't know if the stepper would have enough shove in the z. Of course it might be sort of squeeeeeaaaaaaakkkkky.

Russel.
do you drag the tool or do you spin it it when you engrave?
and if so at what rpm?
//chopper

I have actually used a real engraver (vibrating type clamped to the z-slide) and a very sharp, pointy carbide v-bit for engraving chucked in the collet. Both worked well at slow feed rates.

Chopper I just drag it. Spinning this one would have no extra benefit. I have used a gravograph at work and it doesnt spin. It does spin for V cutting bits.

Russel I have another question does the collar that is on the tip you are using come off? do you move it from tip to tip or does it come with the diamond tips?
thanks
//chopper