Show and tell: Pneumatic follower

[LVLAaron]

 

[LVLAaron]

I might figure out a different tool/holder to get the cutter closer to the rest, but... it works great.

 

[critter68]

very cool Aaron. so do the pneumatic follower arms "adjust" to the taper as they travel along, ie tension? for example with a second pass where you have already established the taper. I assume yes but how?

 

[WSnyder]

I assume yes but how?

They are air cylinder/actuators that are kept under constant pressure. In his first post you can see that he has a regulator to adjust the pressure the fingers put on the workpiece.

 

[critter68]

Thanks for clarification. I like this. A lot. I kinda need a parts list. Aaron, where did you source your cylinders/actuators? What pressure is the sweet spot for work holding? Sorry, I need to be spoon fed sometimes. Keeps me humble

 

[RCE1]

I made one of these 12 years ago, though not as pretty as Aaron's. I don't do a lot of profiling of barrels, but they work really well. I jury rigged a boring head to serve as a taper attachment and I found a little pancake compressor next to the lathe provided plenty of pressure. YMMV.

 

[WSnyder]

Search Ebay for something like this:

Bimba D-71729-A-3 Pneumatic Air Cylinder Actuator 1-1/16" Bore 3-1/4" Stroke | eBay

Sale is for One (1) New Out of Box Bimba D-71729-A-3 Pneumatic Air Cylinder Actuator 1-1/16" Bore 3-1/4" Stroke. Mfg- Bimba. Stroke- 3-1/4". Including, but not limited to, using alternative products.

www.ebay.com

Parker Pneumatic Air Cylinder / Actuator SR Series # .88DXPSR302.5 New | eBay

Parker Pneumatic Air Cylinder / Actuator SR Series. New Never Used.

www.ebay.com

 

[LVLAaron]

Thanks for clarification. I like this. A lot. I kinda need a parts list. Aaron, where did you source your cylinders/actuators? What pressure is the sweet spot for work holding? Sorry, I need to be spoon fed sometimes. Keeps me humble

Check the other thread about profiling barrels. xr650rider gave out the parts list. Smaller actuators would be handy. I found these 3 on ebay from someone local

 

[LVLAaron]

very cool Aaron. so do the pneumatic follower arms "adjust" to the taper as they travel along, ie tension? for example with a second pass where you have already established the taper. I assume yes but how?

Yep, they're squishy, They follow the rough/oblong shape of the rough barrel just fine.

 

[WSnyder]

Check the other thread about profiling barrels. xr650rider gave out the parts list. Smaller actuators would be handy. I found these 3 on ebay from someone local

Barrel re-profile

Interestingly enough, some makers of cut barrels do not use this order of processes and rifle their barrels in blank form. I like the Brux system better. WH

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[critter68]

I did not know about the discussion in the other thread. I followed it in its youth but not long enough to get into the pneumatic follower discussion. Lots of great info. Thanks for directing me to this.

 

[critter68]

where did you get the brackets that hold the cylinders to the plate?

 

[xr650rRider]

where did you get the brackets that hold the cylinders to the plate?

https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...umatic_air_cylinders/air_cylinder_accessories

Credit for origins
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...ar-walther-barrels.250044/page-2#post-1852324

https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/air-follower-steady-rest.60392/#post-499494

 

[critter68]

will three of these work for cylinders https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...eumatic_air_cylinders/non-repairable/a12020sn

 

[xr650rRider]

will three of these work for cylinders https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...eumatic_air_cylinders/non-repairable/a12020sn

For this application, I don't see why they wouldn't work. If you need higher force, turn up the air pressure. 50 psig would give around 20 lbf per finger.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I might figure out a different tool/holder to get the cutter closer to the rest, but... it works great.

Put your tool holder on the other side of the cross-slide on a plinth.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Very nice Aaron!

 

[LVLAaron]

Put your tool holder on the other side of the cross-slide on a plinth.

No room. But I think a left handed tool on the front of the tool post would work for this. That would get the cutting point right up behind the follower plate

 

[mikecockcroft]

Very nice machining. You put a lot of thought into your work and ideas.

 

[Sniperhandle]

https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...umatic_air_cylinders/air_cylinder_accessories

Credit for origins
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...ar-walther-barrels.250044/page-2#post-1852324

https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/air-follower-steady-rest.60392/#post-499494

I haven't seen too much of ol Speerchucker around lately, He's a cool dude, Anybody know if he's ok?