johnsmachines

machines which I have made, am making, or intend to make, and some other stuff. If you find this site interesting, please leave a comment. I read every comment and respond to most. n.b. There is a list of my first 800 posts in my post of 17 June 2021, titled "800 Posts"

Tag: tool and cutter grinder

December 4, 2019

A Modification to the Acute Tool Sharpening System

I have several tool sharpening machines, including an industrial Macson 3 phase machine, a Harold Hall grinder rest, and a Quorn Tool and Cutter Grinder.

But, the one that I use most often is this Eccentric Engineering “Acute Sharpening System”. It was made from a kit and plans supplied by Eccentric Engineering.

P1043139.JPG

Photo 1: The Acute Tool Sharpening System (Photo courtesy of Eccentric Engineering)

The system consists of a table which is adjustable for tilt and height, a work arm consisting of parallel links and a work head, a straight arm which is adjustable for position and angle and which the work head will slide along, and various fittings for holding lathe tools, ER collets, and others.

P1043149.JPG

Photo 2: My ATSS. The ATSS with cubic boron nitride wheel on the LHS, and the elegant but less frequently used Harold Hall grinder rest with diamond cup wheel on the RHS.

I purchased the kit of laser cut and spotted parts and the excellent 32 page bound plans from Eccentric Engineering. The parts in the kit require final machining, including drilling, reaming, tapping, turning and milling. It would be quite possible to use bar stock for the parts, having purchased the plans, but the kit is good value ($AUD 250 + GST) and it made the job quick and straightforward. A completely machined, assembled system is also available.  Details at https://eccentricengineering.com.au.

P1043141.JPG

Photo 3 These are the fittings which I made from the kit, and some extra parts which I bought later.

From the left: hex keys for quick adjustments, angle and gauge templates – most bought from Eccentric, but some made by me, tool holder centre, and collets on the right. Some of the collets are blank to be machined as required. Top right is an ER collet chuck.

P1043143.JPG

Photo 4 This collet holds a 6mm lathe tool.

This post was not really intended as free publicity for Eccentric, although I am very happy to give it a good rap. It is actually to show a modification which I made to the ATSS table. Shown in the next photos…

P1043147.JPG
My colleague Stuart Tankard recently acquired a CNC laser engraver which will engrave steel and brass and cut thin metal. I thought that it would be useful to have some accurate lines on the table in a grid, and others at angles to assist with setups. The grids are at 10mm intervals, and the angles are 30/45/60 degrees. In the above photo the straight slide is easily set parallel with the wheel face.

Of course, the cubic boron nitride wheel must first be accurately set to the table, and the grid assists with that….

P1043140.JPG

Photo 5 Straight edge lined up with the wheel edges and grid.

 

P1043145.JPG

Photo 6 And here the tool holder base is set at 60º to the wheel.

The angle gauges supplied by Eccentric will serve the same function.  Time will tell if the table marks are useful.

Also I am thinking that the work table on the RadiusMaster could use similar guide lines!

1 Comment
November 20, 2015

ACUTE TOOL SHARPENING at GEELONG MODEL ENGINEERS’ EXHIBITION

One of the tool displays at our exhibition last weekend (see previous post) was by ECCENTRIC ENGINEERING.  Eccentric Engineering is well known for the Diamond Tool Holder, which is a favourite lathe tool holder for most of us who use metal working lathes.

However I was more interested in Gary Sneezby’s (Owner-engineer of Eccentric) new tool, which is a tool sharpening system for use with a bench grinder, named “The Acute Tool Sharpening System”.

IMG_3305

Gary demonstrating the Acute Tool Sharpening System at the GSMEE exhibition.

 

IMG_3319

The Plans and assembly diagrams, in a bound booklet.

The system is available as a complete working unit, or a kit of semi machined parts and plans, or plans only.

See the Eccentric Engineering Website for a complete description of the system and prices.  eccentricengineering.com.au

I bought the kit of semi machined parts, and the booklet of plans.  Cost (show price, no postage) $AUD250.  This is an excellent price for the 50 or so laser cut parts, quality die cast handles, all fasteners, Allen keys, detailed plans.

 

IMG_3321

2 of the 33 pages of plans and diagrams.

The plans are excellent.  They are clear, easily read, and large.  There are no instructions, but a DVD is planned.  Gary is contactable by phone for construction advice, if needed.

After 4 half day workshop sessions I am well into the construction.  The laser cut parts are accurate within 1mm, and drilling points are accurately centre drilled.  Gary pointed out that the drilling points are more accurately positioned than the laser cut part perimeters.  That necessitates drilling centre holes (and the other holes) and using a mandrel to enable accurate turning of circular components.  He also advised that HSS cutters be used in preference to carbide tipped tools.

I found the parts to be very closely dimensioned to the finished parts.  The table top measures 150x150mm, and I found the flat hardened steel to be mildly bowed, to the extent of 0.38mm.  That is probably due to heat distortion from the laser cutter.      Some attention on the press straightened out the plate to less than 0.05mm bowing.   I might touch it up on the surface grinder, but that is probably unnecessary, given the way the system functions.

I had a machining accident with one part.  It is useable, but will need to be replaced.  I rang Gary, and the new part is in the mail.  Now that is service.

Progress to date….

IMG_3326

The sharpening system is starting to look serious.  It consists of a base, top plate which is adjustable for tilt and height, parallelogram arm, slide and toolholder.

 

IMG_3323

It looks interesting. Not sure how it works yet (Much clearer since watching the YouTube video at the end of this blog). Still some parts to be made-machined. The notch at the top is where the grinding wheel fits.

 

IMG_3322

The underside. Nice use of O rings to lock the adjustments into position. The cast handles are good quality.

 

Another session or two in the workshop should see this project completed.  I will report on how it performs  in a week or two.  I expect that it will be a lot quicker and simpler to use than the Quorn.

Watch the YouTube video by Gary to see how it works.

5 Comments