Radial Arm Cut Off

 Have made some progress but kind of stopped writing about it here.   The machine is working and I am striving to improve its accuracy.   As of today cuts vary from 50 thou down to 10 on the best results.   I would like to get it consistently to 10 if possible.

For this application just say no to HF Warrior disks.   The Diablo .040 I am using give best results if the outer 3/4 inch is gone.

Have tried adding weight to the handle.   Obviously the more weight the faster it cuts.

I think the next step is to add a depth limiting wheel that rides on the work.  The idea is to make several controlled passes.  Get the entire cut to 1/4 the thickness, then 1/2, 3/4, and finish.  Something like that.  Thinking is that my worst problems are where most of the cut is done and I have to concentrate on the bridges.

Am playing with the shop vac for dust collection.   

I will try to remember to add images soon.

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Been talking with Chirpy.   Rather then a wheel to limit depth I am adding a depth stop with a adjusting wheel that references the linear bearing setup.   The downside is that if the work is not parallel to the rail it will go in at an angle.  Have to work on that. -

In the image you can see the depth stop.  Still have to make a plate on top with a hole for the threaded rod. 

The adjustment wheel is an old pulley. It's bore was too large so I loctited a steel threaded bushing into its hub.  I may put it back on the lathe and make it a little more user friendly, if it works.   Still have to make a plate on top with a hole for the threaded rod. 

Center right you see black tape on the handle.  The tape holds a slug of lead to the other side of the handle.  By changing this weight one can adjust the cutting force.

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April 18




The plate spaces the angle bracket down so it clears the bumps on the bottom of the linear bearings.  It also provides a guide hole for the dept control.

I have added a removable plate to the front of the arm to increase stability.   No picture of that atm.

Here I have removed the front plate to cut a strip off a sheet of 1/8" steel longer than the travel of the grinder.  This is after I  flipped the sheet to make the 2nd cut.