how to reduce chatter?

BHQ

BHQ

we'll miss you
Silver Member
i've got my experimental shaft taper bar mounted to lathe
been cutting up some old crooked ass shafts for testing purposes
getting a lot of chatter marks in the center of shaft and towards tip maybe another 8 or 10 inches
running lathe at slowest speed, router at highest speed (only speed), and carriage moving at slowest speed
been fooling around with different settings, still getting the chatter
any suggestions?
 
stix4sale said:
i've got my experimental shaft taper bar mounted to lathe
been cutting up some old crooked ass shafts for testing purposes
getting a lot of chatter marks in the center of shaft and towards tip maybe another 8 or 10 inches
running lathe at slowest speed, router at highest speed (only speed), and carriage moving at slowest speed
been fooling around with different settings, still getting the chatter
any suggestions?
Click to expand...

If you're cutting warped shafts, the high spot will hit the router bit & tend to BOUNCE away. When it springs BACK it bounces again. That's where the chatter starts. A dull bit can be a problem too. You could use your hand to (with a very light grip), steady the shaft...JER
 
The first thing that comes to mind is make sure that your using a realy sharp router bit because dull bits cause chatter and are nothing more than a pain in the ass
 
BLACKHEARTCUES said:
If you're cutting warped shafts, the high spot will hit the router bit & tend to BOUNCE away. When it springs BACK it bounces again. That's where the chatter starts. A dull bit can be a problem too. You could use your hand to (with a very light grip), steady the shaft...JER
Click to expand...
i picked up a new bit the other day. should have changed it first i guess.
as far as the boucing part. i did get them cut to round and true before going any further. after that, is when i was still getting the chatter. i'll change bits and see what that does. thanks jer & jb
 
stix4sale said:
i picked up a new bit the other day. should have changed it first i guess.
as far as the boucing part. i did get them cut to round and true before going any further. after that, is when i was still getting the chatter. i'll change bits and see what that does. thanks jer & jb
Click to expand...

What are you using for a router bit? I have the best luck with 4 wing slot cutting bits. With my SouthBend the sweet spot was 200 rpm spindle speed and 6 ipm feed.
 
Use a slotting cutter like Murray says.... make sure all the teeth are cutting and you don't have one or two high ones doing all the work.
 
^
I use the 6-wing with .080 kerf for turning squares to round then to cones.
The arbor that they sell is pretty crappy. I have to reduce ther router speed when using the 6-winger. It cuts fine even at a third of the max speed of the router.
I'll have to make my own to be able to trust the 6-winger for precision cuts.
I use the 2-wing 5/8 straight bit for precision cuts. They are really accurate.
But, the 6-wingers saves a ton of time in making rods and cones.
I'm gonna try the 3 and 4 wingers one of these days.
 
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JoeyInCali said:
^
I use the 6-wing with .080 kerf for turning squares to round then to cones.
The arbor that they sell is pretty crappy. I have to reduce ther router speed when using the 6-winger. It cuts fine even at a third of the max speed of the router.
I'll have to make my own to be able to trust the 6-winger for precision cuts.
I use the 2-wing 5/8 straight bit for precision cuts. They are really accurate.
But, the 6-wingers saves a ton of time in making rods and cones.
I'm gonna try the 3 and 4 wingers one of these days.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info Joey.

Rodney
 
stix4sale said:
i've got my experimental shaft taper bar mounted to lathe
been cutting up some old crooked ass shafts for testing purposes
getting a lot of chatter marks in the center of shaft and towards tip maybe another 8 or 10 inches
running lathe at slowest speed, router at highest speed (only speed), and carriage moving at slowest speed
been fooling around with different settings, still getting the chatter
any suggestions?
Click to expand...
If you are using 2 fluted router bit, what size in diamter is it? What type of router is it? During my testing on routers, I noticed that a more accurate router, would withstand bigger diameter cutters, and the ryobi uses a 1/4 inch size bit. Also make sure the tip of the router bit is touching the center of the shaft, definately lessens the pressure, which causes chatter. No good experience with wing cutters on the ryobi, but other say it works, might try it.
 
There is a certain magic speed on all 3 elements (blade speed, blade travel rate, and rotation rate). You have to find that magic combination that does not chatter. For my machine, the rotation is pretty slow and the blade spinning fast, with travel about 6 inches per minute.

You have to be cutting the wood directly on the sharp corner edge of whatever blade you are using. Cutting on a flat side of the blade will add resistance and reason for chatter.

If you are still hunting blades, I have what I think is the perfect one. This is only about 1 inch in diamater, with 6 carbide teeth, 1/4" shank. Makes it easier for my machine because all of the others you find are over 2 inch diameter. This kind has been lasting me a very long time before dulling as well.

They can be bought from "BladesLLC" or Cue Components for $49.

I bought in quantity a while back and still have several on hand. I will ship you one for $35, which includes the arbor, the blade and shipping, all brand new.

2.jpg

1.jpg
 
I use Porter cable routers, ryobi's for this and that and small stuff. Cost a bit more but definetly worth the investment.

Bryan Fisher
Fisher cues
 
Murray Tucker said:
What are you using for a router bit? I have the best luck with 4 wing slot cutting bits. With my SouthBend the sweet spot was 200 rpm spindle speed and 6 ipm feed.
Click to expand...
it's a two fluted straight cutter, 1/4" shank mounted into a dewalt laminate trimmer. there is no speed adjustment. tomorrow morning i'll try the new cutter and raise my router/trimmer up a touch to let the points of the flutes cut. i'm running out of practice woods!!!!!
thanks again murray for the "care package"
i've started on two of the four
 
working much better now

new cutter made all the difference in the world
the fact i accidentally hit my live center recently didn't help my cutter out much :rolleyes:
 
stix4sale said:
new cutter made all the difference in the world
the fact i accidentally hit my live center recently didn't help my cutter out much :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

It will take some playing around to get it cutting perfect but it is worth the effort. The less you have to sand after cutting the better. Trust me, take your time on this and get it right.

FWIW this is my cutter of choice. http://www.grizzly.com/products/C1101
 
Murray Tucker said:
If you need practice shafts I'll send you some.
Click to expand...
that would be fantastic murray. thank you very much. do you still have my address?
 
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