Show and tell: Pneumatic follower

[LVLAaron]

Shout out to @xr650rRider for the inspiration and design.


Still need to do some plumbing. Planning on putting the regulator on a dedicated line behind the lathe. Pretty excited to get to use this.

 

[LVLAaron]

And maybe an upgrade to this valve

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S73H6NN/?coliid=I3BMSDS2LVIARF&colid=2HTSK51J28JIB&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

[Doug Beach]

I like all of this. Looking forward to operational reports.

 

[Tucker65]

If my lathe was equipped with a taper attachment I'd make something like this for contouring barrels.

 

[LVLAaron]

If my lathe was equipped with a taper attachment I'd make something like this for contouring barrels.

Don't need one.

 

[Tucker65]

Don't need one.

View attachment 1592600

I'm assuming a dead center with a dog at the chuck to drive it?

You'll have to post a video of it in action when you get it up and running.

 

[LVLAaron]

I'm assuming a dead center with a dog at the chuck to drive it?

Yep. Lubed with your best high pressure grease.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Don't need one.

View attachment 1592600

I like that idea. Wouldn’t have to lose your tailstock setting that way.

Is this the one? https://www.amazon.com/IMPROVED-TUR...59&mcid=dc7fd0a87b3c36b38dde809246b9e0c7&th=1

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Curious how it does for ya. I believe there are various levels of what works and what works best. I think you have something that works and reasonably sure it will work better than nothing but I am curious just how well it works, in the end. Keep us posted.

 

[LVLAaron]

I like that idea. Wouldn’t have to lose your tailstock setting that way.

Is this the one? https://www.amazon.com/IMPROVED-TUR...59&mcid=dc7fd0a87b3c36b38dde809246b9e0c7&th=1

That's the one

 

[LVLAaron]

Curious how it does for ya. I believe there are various levels of what works and what works best. I think you have something that works and reasonably sure it will work better than nothing but I am curious just how well it works, in the end. Keep us posted.

Gotta be better than turning at 100 rpm and holding an oily paper towel with my left hand

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Gotta be better than turning at 100 rpm and holding an oily paper towel with my left hand

I like it! Don't get me wrong at all. Just looking forward to how it goes. The real deal hydraulic followers that bbl makers use are in the ten grand range.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

Gotta be better than turning at 100 rpm and holding an oily paper towel with my left hand

Bin dare, done Dat! No fun.
I hope to duplicate this someday soon.
There are so many excellent sporter-weight barrels out there hiding in shot-out target barrels. Just have to peel them.

 

[urbanrifleman]

The lathe that Schneider had to contours didn't have a follower. It had a tool holder that followed a sheet metal template. The barrel was still centered in the chuck. It took forever to set up. But then you could barrel after barrel.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I drew up a follower once. It had only one pad and it used a dumbbell on a lever to provide pressure. That's all that's needed. Gravity is free and works every day.

 

[critter68]

Aaron, Please post a video of this in action when your project is completed. All the questions I have would be answered with a video.

 

[LVLAaron]

Should have one this week.

 

[critter68]

many thanks
mike

 

[Sniperhandle]

The lathe that Schneider had to contours didn't have a follower. It had a tool holder that followed a sheet metal template. The barrel was still centered in the chuck. It took forever to set up. But then you could barrel after barrel.

That's called a hydraulic tracer, Pretty common before CNC took over.

 

[shortgrass]

That's called a hydraulic tracer, Pretty common before CNC took over.

Like the Cincinnati Hydrotel. A die sinkers dream. A 'tracer' mill, lathes made using the same principles.