Perfect Circle Jig for the Wood Lathe

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This is a metal working and wood working project
This is a jig that I had thought about for a long time and then I had a job to make a lot of round top posts for a musical instrument maker and so I got serious about making one. I saw that Carter sells one and it is quite expensive. I remember my toolmaking boss said that "you appreciate it more if you make it yourself "....so I did!

I used some of Carter's ideas in my design. The base arm with the bearing is made of aluminum. All the rest of the parts are steel and finished with gun bluing The big knurled knob on the back of the cutter arm is for fine adjustment of the carbide ring cutter from Arizona Carbide. It has an infinite  range of radii that it will cut.. I have  5 post positions in the swing arm so you can set that up first for the range you will need to swing.  One of the positions is for concave cutting but that seems to chatter too much.
The hardest part is setting up the center the jig to the center of the radius to be cut. Some times it does not matter and you can be within 1/32" and that is okay. This jig is built to cut on the center line of my Nova Galaxi lathe which is 8" off the bed. Other posts could be made to use on different size lathes. The cutter arm has 3 flats milled on it so I can adjust the attitude of the cutter for a better finish - like scraping with a bowl gouge on the last cut

This  jig comes apart in 4 main parts and I made a  box to store them all in one place. The box is made from1/2" Baltic Birch and all the corners are lock mitered.
Cheers, Jim

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

15 Comments

Cool! I recall that in the 10th grade, my metal shop teacher wanted to use a device like this to make a ball for a ball and chain to present to one of his friends who was getting married. I asked him why he didn't just cast it...which he did. In aluminum, not iron or lead.

The Other Steven

Excellent Jim, great design and execution. Appears having skills in other than woodworking has paid off for you. I like the storage box, the topper to a mighty fine exhibition of craftsmanship. 
Looks to be a great solution, and saved some $$$ by making your own.
Great design!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

You've got balls Jim ( literally )!
Ever since I was in JHS, I wanted a mill and lathe for metal work. Make your own tools and you can do most anything.
Really great metal  working skills !!!
 Very cool.   

I was literally just thinking (wondering mostly) about how hard it would be to make one just a few days ago.  Now I know that is most likely beyond my metal working skills.  Are you using a carbide cutter or HHS?  


--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

Showing off more skill's Jim. Great project.

Jeff

I'm guessing that you've got a better jig than if you had bought one!
well done Jim!  I love jigs!

Mike

Thank you all for the nice comments. I just got it out for the next project that is  mounted in the chuck and realized I had never posted it on here but I could not on Lumberjocks because they only accepted wood projects it still works good.
Hi Tom. I never regret my Tool and Die training right after high school instead of college, Before I retired I bought a mill and a metal lathe and use them almost every week for my stuff or parts I make for my buddies. If you need something special that you can't buy, let me know!!!!!!

Hi Nathan. I use a carbide disc for a cutter. It is tilted down at 13 degrees. I watched the Carter video and did a freeze frame when the cutter showed at the right angle. I measured it with my protractor  to be 13 degrees and then called Carter to see what that angle was and they said 13 degrees!!!!!!!
Cheers, Jim

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

So massive....I bet it will do the job well!

...woodicted

Hi Ivan. it depends on how far out I have to extend the cutter arm from the post. It is is out too far I get some chatter but it keeps cutting and requires more power sanding!

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

Hi Jim,
Great work...Regards .... Cliff.
Thanks, Cliff. I used it on the lady bugs!!!!!!!

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day