Download Drawing
This is a standard clockmaker's tool slightly beefed-up to fit a medium sized ME lathe. It is used for supporting small diameter spindles whilst they are filed/stoned to size.
The accompanying drawing is hopefully self-explanatory, there being only six machined parts. The drum itself is made from 1 1/2" diameter mild steel (use a steel capable of being case-hardened - not free cutting). The ring of holes are machined last, with the attachment in-situ in the tailstock. I have not specified the size of all the holes as the range is best selected according to the expected work in hand. Anyway, there is no reason why several drums cannot be made with differing hole sizes. There is little point in going above about 1/4" so this was selected as the bore of the taper shank. My sizes start at 1/32" and increase to about 1/8" in 16 even (-ish) steps. Take it slow and easy drilling the smaller holes, 3/8" is a deep hole for a 1/32" drill, clear the flutes often. After drilling the ring of holes turn the outside of the drum to a diameter about 5 thou less than the PCD of the hole ring, use a very sharp tool to prevent burrs being thrown up. This procedure will leave a series of semi-circular notches into which the spindle to be filed rests in. Finally, case harden the drum to resist wear.
(c) Chris Heapy 1996.
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