diamond pattern on lathe?

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

I have seen the videos of diamond fluting of a bolt on a mill, but was curious of a diamond pattern could be cut on a manual lathe? Basically, trying to think of how to make very coarse knurling, not the typical fine pattern from a knurling tool.

 

[LVLAaron]

I Imagine you could get something done with right and left hand threading, with a very coarse thread

 

[boltfluter]

I Imagine you could get something done with right and left hand threading, with a very coarse thread

Exactly! The hard part will be starting and stopping in exactly the same spot.
Paul

 

[Darrin]

Don't turn the lathe on. Rotate the chuck by hand taking light cuts.

-Darrin

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

I Imagine you could get something done with right and left hand threading, with a very coarse thread

That's what I was thinking, juat wanted confirmation

 

[LVLAaron]

I think my lathe only goes up to 4tpi... so it wouldn't be a very aesthetic set of flutes.

 

[akajun]

I think my lathe only goes up to 4tpi... so it wouldn't be a very aesthetic set of flutes.

You can double the advance of any lathe by swapping the main change gears. Ie make your 4tpi into a 2tpi with the same quick change setting
I’ve had to do it to get a certain face pattern on non gun stuff
Just don’t take big deep cuts as your doubling your stresses

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I have done this a few times by putting in the gears that gave the fastest advance possible, then running a both right and left threads with a radius cutter.
I was able to get to something like 1.5 tpi.
Radius cutters needed lots of relief to be able to travel at that steep angle. Finishing the end of the cut smoothly is impossible. You will spend days at getting it to look decent.
I won't be doing it again.

 

[jdh47]

I'm thinking it could be done with the fastest feed but I agree it'd be hard to get it to look right on the ends.

 

[59FLH]

I have seen the videos of diamond fluting of a bolt on a mill, but was curious of a diamond pattern could be cut on a manual lathe? Basically, trying to think of how to make very coarse knurling, not the typical fine pattern from a knurling tool.

The potential down side:
If your pattern is to aggressive it could be like running a saw blade or file on your brass if the rifle is a repeater.

 

[butchlambert]

I have seen the videos of diamond fluting of a bolt on a mill, but was curious of a diamond pattern could be cut on a manual lathe? Basically, trying to think of how to make very coarse knurling, not the typical fine pattern from a knurling tool.

Send it to boltfluter!

 

[LVLAaron]

BS-2 Full Universal Dividing Head Set, With 8″ Chuck (Can Cut Spirals) – Precision Matthews Machinery Co.

www.precisionmatthews.com

Worth looking at if you have a mill.... PM has this kit now, so you can do fluting/spirals on a manual machine.

 

[br1111]

Send it to boltfluter!

i second that idea

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

The potential down side:
If your pattern is to aggressive it could be like running a saw blade or file on your brass if the rifle is a repeater.

I am not wanting to flute a bolt. I was just using the patter as an example of what I would like to do on a different piece.

 

[AlNyhus]

Send it to boltfluter!

Butch nailed it. -Al

 

[Toolbreaker]

I am not wanting to flute a bolt. I was just using the patter as an example of what I would like to do on a different piece.

If this is something that you're really interested in doing yourself, look into grease grooving on a lathe. An eccentric plate can be made to mount on the back of the leadscrew to act as a cam to drive a cutter. It's hard to describe, but I bet there are pictures out there somewhere.

 

[LVLAaron]

 

[Southwest Action Works]

Watching these dudes do this kind of stuff usually bare footed is amazing.

 

[LVLAaron]

Watching these dudes do this kind of stuff usually bare footed is amazing.

And with zero lubrication

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

And with zero lubrication

Or PPE!