Metal questions, type, working, lathe Options

[Dr Evil]

Hey all,
I am in the process of getting materials for my, ahem, "art project" (914). I want to have some aluminum that has the brushed look to it. I ordered some 6061 and am not sure if it will have this finish. Is it easy to produce?

Also, I am looking into getting some parts coated. I have heard that black chrome is what I am looking for based on my desire to have the character of the aluminum visible through the dark gloss coating. If this is not what I am looking for could someone point me in the right direction? Also a place to have it done would be welcomed.

Next, I am gonna start using my mini lathe. I have the concept down as to how, but have never used one (so I bought extra stock). My question for the lathe is, how do you make domed shapes? Like if you took the end of a rod and domed it.

Thanks (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/happy11.gif)

[Mueller]

1st off...have you seen this site for Mini-lathes?

Mini-lathe.com


For turning a nice radi at the end of a part, check out this site:

Ball turning toolpost

[smdubovsky]

Aluminum will not come brushed. Its usually in raw extruded form. You will have to sand/polish it that way - try w/ sandpaper or wire brush on a lathe (IMPORTANT: COVER the ways to keep falling grit out!) or using a gray roloc disk in a die grinder for more artistic control. Or, "stroke it" w/ sandpaper to get the brushing lengthwise.

To do a dome/ball on a lathe takes a ball cutting attachment;) Its a swivel for the cutting tool that allows you to swing the cutter about a center. I've never seen a commercial one (but surely they exist), but the 9x20 yahoo lathe group has plans to make your own. If you find an inexpensive one to buy let me know... (I dont need it ENOUGH to actually go build one.)

SMD

[Mueller]

brushed finish can be made with a belt sander..........

have an example of the black chrome finish??

[bondo]

Never seen black chrome on aluminum. Perhaps a smoked clear powdercoat will give the look you desire. There's also a black chrome powdercoat, but it's totally opaque and won't show any brushed finish underneath.

I'm particularly interested in the machining talk because I'm considering getting a Smithy 3 in 1 setup. Machining is fun, and I'd like to be able to do it at home. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

[East coaster]

I used scotch bright and kerosene to put a brushed finish on my instrument panel on my plane. Use even/directional strokes and the end result is pretty good. I then had it anodized. I don't know if that will work for your black finish, but it may be worth investigating??

Here's a pic of the panel. It's kinda hard to make out the brushed finish, but it's there.

[ppickerell]

You can have sheet material run through a timesaver which is a 4 ft wide sanding belt that will put a nice consistent grain. The trouble with hand held is you can get an oscillated finish (orbital) but it will be real tough to do grain and keep it straight free hand. For black, I would recommend anodize as the best process.

[Mueller]

QUOTE (ppickerell @ Mar 14 2006, 10:34 AM)

You can have sheet material run through a timesaver which is a 4 ft wide sanding belt that will put a nice consistent grain. The trouble with hand held is you can get an oscillated finish (orbital) but it will be real tough to do grain and keep it straight free hand. For black, I would recommend anodize as the best process.

if you do go the route of sending out the parts to be "brushed", make darn sure you mark the direction with a big old arrow......it's not always obvious which direction you want the brush (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

[McMark]

I have some "smoke" dye for my anodizing kit. I've never used it, but it's described as looking just like what your described.

[Dr Evil]

Thanks guys. A lot of great info. East Coaster, that is the under look I am going for. I will try the scotch brite method first (that is why sheets come with two sides (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) )

Mark,
If it can be seen through and is dark and glossy then yup, thats it.

I don't have the time, place or money to buy a kit to do it, though. Does anyone know of a place that can do this on a small scale?

[spunone]

If your just doming the end of a rod just get use to turning both handles to get a ruff formed shape then use a file to finish the shape sand and polish .remember it's Art. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rocking nana.gif)

[Mueller]

QUOTE (spunone @ Mar 14 2006, 11:16 AM)

If your just doming the end of a rod just get use to turning both handles to get a ruff formed shape then use a file to finish the shape sand and polish .remember it's Art. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rocking nana.gif)

that is why they invented CNC (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

when you go down that path, let me know, I've got some small stepper motors I'll give you.....you should be able to convert that lathe for less than a few hundred bucks total....

[Dr Evil]

Spunone,
that is more up my alley (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) I was wondering if that was possible (remember, I am a novice).

I found a few links to ball turingin posts for my 7x12 lathe

like this one:
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/...?ProductID=1970

Mike,
thanks for the links.

[alpha434]

QUOTE (Dr Evil @ Mar 14 2006, 10:12 AM)

Thanks guys. A lot of great info. East Coaster, that is the under look I am going for. I will try the scotch brite method first (that is why sheets come with two sides (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) ) Mark, If it can be seen through and is dark and glossy then yup, thats it. I don't have the time, place or money to buy a kit to do it, though. Does anyone know of a place that can do this on a small scale?

They make a "polishing" pad. It's a piece of scotch brite affixed to a plate. You put the assembly into a mill of drill press. And it makes circles where you polish.

It looks pretty cool, but really busy. <- opinion

But you can slide the sheet underneath it to get the desired results, more or less.

Annodizing is an electro-finish. And you CAN make your own setup for little to no cash. It's dangerous. PM me if you want directions. I made one of these setups when I was 14.

Good luck, dude. Art is cool.

[alpha434]

And when I was in school, we were always told to put radii on with a file. It wakes a long time for a ball. Make sure you've got a handle on the file, because if the part grabs it, it can push the sharp side right down the length of your forearm. But roughing it out is really easy. The assembly for making a "ball cutter" takes a lot of time and effort and a mill. I made one at school, and it's on display there still. Next time I'm over there, I'll snap a photo of it.

[Dr Evil]

Chris,
I don't want to anodize because it will not give me the finished look that I am looking for. It seems like I am looking for powder coating instead. Thanks for the offer of assistance, though. For the brushed look I am going for uniformed grain in one direction, not swirls (I agree, too busy). A board with a scotch pad should suffice and is a good suggestion for providing a more uniform look.

Thanks (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/happy11.gif)

Mike,
only $100 or so!? Thats funny (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Thats like saying I got 50% off of something that cost $1M...its still $500K and out of my reach currently (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif) What mini motors? For like setting up a powered polishing set up? I have a geared one on mine. Is electric better?

[alpha434]

QUOTE (Dr Evil @ Mar 14 2006, 10:37 AM)

Chris, I don't want to anodize because it will not give me the finished look that I am looking for. It seems like I am looking for powder coating instead. Thanks for the offer of assistance, though. For the brushed look I am going for uniformed grain in one direction, not swirls (I agree, too busy). A board with a scotch pad should suffice and is a good suggestion for providing a more uniform look. Thanks (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/happy11.gif) Mike, only $100 or so!? Thats funny (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Thats like saying I got 50% off of something that cost $1M...its still $500K and out of my reach currently (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif) What mini motors? For like setting up a powered polishing set up? I have a geared one on mine. Is electric better?

He wants you to convert your lathe to cnc. Which may cost a few hundred, if you've done it before. But it is also a PITA!!!

Powder coating is fairly cheap.

[Mueller]

QUOTE (Dr Evil @ Mar 14 2006, 11:37 AM)

Chris, I don't want to anodize because it will not give me the finished look that I am looking for. It seems like I am looking for powder coating instead. Thanks for the offer of assistance, though. For the brushed look I am going for uniformed grain in one direction, not swirls (I agree, too busy). A board with a scotch pad should suffice and is a good suggestion for providing a more uniform look. Thanks (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/happy11.gif) Mike, only $100 or so!? Thats funny (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Thats like saying I got 50% off of something that cost $1M...its still $500K and out of my reach currently (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif) What mini motors? For like setting up a powered polishing set up? I have a geared one on mine. Is electric better?

nope, the stepper motors take input from your PC and basicly "automates" the lathe..you tell it to move .50" side to side and .125" back to back and it'll do it for, you just sit back and watch......not something that is often needed for the hobbiest, it just makes making duplicates easier or for making difficult radi cuts and angles....

[East coaster]

Powder coating will fill any brushed texture you achieve. I had all my anodizing done Hillcock Anodizing in Phila, PA. They are located just under the Tacony-Palmyra bridge and can do amazing finishes. You might want to check with them and see if they have a finish that will give you the look you want. They charge by the batch and you can add parts to make it worthwhile. I would imagine a few folks would be interested in having items anodized black. I might even have some items to add if you need to offset cost??

Sorry, I don't have their phone#, but they're local to you...right??

[stock93]

Mueller,
What program are you using to drive the stepper motors? Where can I find out more on this? I'm interested in doing this myself eventually.

John