METALWORK FORUMYeah, yeah, I know these are supposed to be Woodwork Forums, but many woodworkers also do a lot of metal work. Here is a forum for those who dare to work in metal. Use it wisely.
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This was the first project I tackled, a saw arbor. It is worth it's weight in gold, and sure beats using a hacksaw for cutting up small pieces of metal. It cuts through mild steel like a hot knife through butter, and produces a perfect finish.
It was specifically made for my Unimat 3 lathe/mill, and has an M14x1 thread in the tail end to screw directly onto the lathe/mill spindle, this you will need to modify to suit your spindle thread.
It was simple to make, even for this novice, and consists of only four parts.
Materials required are 30mm dia brt ms x 50mm long, a blade, and an M6x12 cap screw.
I started by drilling and tapping the M14 thread, then screwed this to the lathe spindle for the rest of the machining. The rest is fairly self explanitory.
Attached are some pictures and a pdf drawing which gives details of the blade etc.
The Unimat 3, shown below, is just an example. With mine I have the full kit and kaboodle including the mini mill/drill.
If you choose a thinner blade, or a different bore size, you will have to adjust the shoulder depth and dia to suit.
Other projects will include a carbide tipped tool holder, a scissor type knurling tool, a set of parallel clamps, something we all made at school and have since lost, and a unique edge scribe with vernier adjustment, plus a simple version without vernier for the carpenters, since they only work to within plus or minus 100mm, just kiddin.
Also on the drawing board is an optical centre punch and a laser centre finder utilising your 2 dollar laser pointer.
Many thanks for this and what a great drawing! Greeny sent.
Could I ask for one further photo - of the blade and arbor mounted on the lathe (if you can arrange it, a picture of it cutting some ms would also be great)? Just so I can be sure that I understand how you use the cutter in practice.
__________________ Cheers
Jeremy If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly
Attached below are a few views of the saw in action. The metal being cut is a piece of 12.7mm brt ms. Since I don't have a machine vice, it's on the way, the material is clamped to the tool post holder with a parallel clamp.
The parallel clamp is still work in progress, and needs the jaws to be tapered down, then blued.
To cut the metal, simply screw the carriage hand wheel in, and wullah, a nice clean finished cut.
Mini lathe/mill project No.1 Saw arbor 
