I don't have a "ball turning attachment." Neither do any of my factory neighbours. I wanted to turn a radius on the end of some rods:

IMG_3494.jpg



Time to try a trick with the compound slide...



  1. Remove my quick change tool holder, and install the original "lantern" tool holder.
  2. Set a HSS tool back as close to the lantern as possible.
  3. Wind the compound all the way back.
  4. Loosen both compound locking screws.
  5. Rotate the compound around to get it the furthest from the rod's face.
  6. Wind the cross slide and saddle so that puts the tool in the middle of the rod's face.
  7. Move saddle a bit away from the rod, turn lathe spindle on.
  8. Pull the compound toward you, from the centre of the end of the rod, to its outside edge:


IMG_3495.jpg


This seems to give about a 3/4" radius:
IMG_3496.jpg
Good enough for me.


I did the first one as shallow cuts, repositioning the saddle closer, but I soon got tired of that.

For the others, I locked the saddle, put the stock up against the cutter in the middle of the face, and just pulled the cutter around making a huge shaving.


If you want a smaller radius, wind the compound in closer to the work piece.
Attached Images




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