GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Machine Shop Talk & AG Parts Machining => Topic started by: WobblyHand on July 29, 2024, 07:12:15 PM
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I made a spider for my 10x22 lathe and found out that the spanner wrench I had didn't quite fit. So I designed one to fit the spider and sent out the file to sendcutsend.com. Got an instant quote and ordered two spanner wrenches made of 4130. Sendcutsend specializes in laser cutting sheet metal, but can do up to 1/2" thick material. I sent out the design on Sunday evening. Today it is done, packed for shipping and waiting to be picked up. I should get it in 2-3 days. I've never done something like this, it's kind of weirdly liberating.
I have no financial interest in this company, but I thought it was kind of cool. They were a lot cheaper than oshcut. Not as cheap as buying from the far east, but for a custom design, I'd say this was good. We'll see in a couple of days.
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The wrenches arrived today. The laser cut edges were slightly hardened, so it wasn't that easy to debur, but the wrenches match the print. They fit perfectly. Used them to attach the spider to the lathe. (And to be able to remove it easily!) Overall, this was a win for custom work. Ordered on Sunday, got them Thursday. Not bad at all.
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Very nice! :D
Just a bit of warning for anyone who is thinking of using such a service, for parts who's edges may need machined...
YES-the cut edges WILL be hardened(!)....
Depending on the quality of the material and the cut, it may be negligible or an absolute beast...
Just saying so folks know 👍
I've dealt with having to D&T into laser cut edges enough to know it can be a real pain in wherever it would pain you most... :P
Jesse
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Thanks @JuryRigger . I ended up using a belt sander to lightly touch up the edges. And a round stone to do the curves. 4130 does harden on those edges! I tried using a hole deburring tool on the cut hole and those edges really didn't want to debur, so your comment holds true.
I guess all this is AG related, just imagine that's a barrel in the collet. Actually got into machining because of my interest in airguns.
Anyways, this was just a commentary on sendcutsend, another service that might be of use to the community. I tried them out, for the heck of it. Not affiliated with them in any way. Had I made the wrenches out of mild steel, they offer deburring and powder coating, but this service is not available for 4130.
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I just drilled and taped holes in the spindle on my lathe, it worked fine.
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I didn't quite have room for direct drilling on my spindle. Also, I'm terrible in drilling handheld holes. Always manage to make them crooked. The screws really ought to come to a common center :). This time they did, as it was done on my mill using a dividing head and the part was longer than the chuck jaws.
When I made a spider for my mini-lathe the part wasn't quite long enough. I had to move the work piece and re-indicate it. Didn't quite do it right and the screws are slightly off when tightened down to 1/8". It bugged me. Not enough to redo it, but for my larger lathe I wanted the screws to come to center. Sort of a personal pride in doing it right thing...