Comments on: Free Plans: Ball Turning Tool Post for the 7x Mini-lathe

By: rleete

rleete — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:40:53 +0000

I recently completed one of these for my minilathe. What a fun tool! It’s almost magical watching the spherical surface appear, and takes very little effort to use.

I eliminated the step in the bottom of the body, and the coresponding pocket in the base. Instead, I used a thin (.010″ thick) sheet of teflon between the two, and it turns as smooth as you please.

By: Jasemin

Jasemin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:44:25 +0000

This informioatn is off the hizool!

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:21:31 +0000

I am not familiar with the Emco lathe, but from what I’ve read it looks like it is a bit bigger than the 7×12. It seems to me that you may be able to use Ralph’s design if you increase its height so your cutter bit is located on the center line of your lathe. You could do that by increasing the height of the base plate, body and maybe the tool holder.

The plans are free. You can download them using the link that is located near the bottom of the article.

Good luck. I’d love to see a picture if you build one and Ralph probably would too.

By: Alejandro Zalaquett

Alejandro Zalaquett — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:02:06 +0000

Dear sir,

Please let me know if this attachment would be suitable for ther EMCO 5 lathe. If yes, could I to obtain the plans and the value of them?
thanks

Alejandro

By: Ed Swinesburg

Ed Swinesburg — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:55:59 +0000

Just completed the ball turning project for my 7X10 lathe. It came out nice. I am waiting on carbide inserts to complete the set.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:58:25 +0000

Hi Clifton,

There’s a link in the article to download a copy of Ralph’s plans. It’s right under the heading “Downloads”. Just be patient if you have a slow connection, the file’s not that big but it may take a while for it to load.

I’d really like to build Ralph’s ball turner, but I haven’t had time yet. The video shows one that was made by Dividedhead (AKA Ralph).

Rob