Doming Pins

D

Drummer

Joined
Aug 20, 2000
Messages
141
I did a search, but it did not turn up much help.

Does anyone here have any techniques or tips for doming large diameter pins, say .25" or so? The tools sold by the knife supply places seem to be for smaller diameters only.

I've heard of a drill bit that is saddle shaped that will dome pins but have been unable to find any at the online tool stores. Any help is appreciated.
 
I made a small punch with a concave "dimple" to dome non-ferrous rod. I used a ball mill chucked into my lathe tail stock to machine it out of 52100. The pic below shows the swage block that holds the rod. There are fours holes with depths from 1/4" to 1". Each hole has smaller hole at the bottom to knock the pin out after doming it.

tools-web.jpg


beltbuckle-web.jpg


I can make one or more for you if you want. I can HT it or you can.
 
I'm looking for something to do hardened steel pins (30-40 RC range), so it has to be hard enough to cut it. There's got to be a tool to do it, I just haven't been able to find it.
 
I would make a special lathe chisel and cut one on the lathe. I looked around for a concave die grinding stone and did not find any. I have seen them before but don't recall where.

That is the main reason I bought a lathe and mill is to make things that may not exist or are too expensive to buy.
 
Thanks! The belt buckle was the first project that I used my domed pins on. After some practice I can get a much cleaner dome now.
 
you can always try chucking the pinstock into a drill and just using files, sandpaper or the little concave grinding stones for a Dremel tool.
 
You want a 1/4" carbide cup burr (or mill bit). You should be able to get one from a larger jewelers supply, or wasily from an industrial supplier like McMaster-Carr.
Stacy
 
Thanks bladsmth, it looks like a cup bur will do what I need. I haven't been able to find a carbide one, but carbon steel and diamond coated ones seem plentiful.
 
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