Work in progress 7-20-08

[Bobby Branton]

This is a work in progress thread and I will document the steps I use in making a blade for my Transition folder.

Using my MasterCam program, I will draw a fixture to fit my parts on. I then use the CNC mill to spot my tie down holes and make a skim cut so that I will know how to position my blade coupon so that I can make a master coupon in case I want to make more blades.

I then drill and tap the hole for a 4-40 screw and screw down my coupon to the fixture.

I then execute the program to make the profile cut as well as the cut for the blade stop pin.

Here are the finished parts. I do this for the handles also. All drilling, reaming and counterboring is done on the drill press. I grind off the bump on the tip of the blade when done.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Looking good. I like your idea of putting a fixture hole at the tip that gets ground off.

What is the steel? What is your cycle time? How many can you profile with a cutter?

I like looking at these picts of other folks doing this kind of work. Thanks for sharing.

Nathan

 

[Bobby Branton]

Hi Nathan, The steel is 154-CM. I had a few problems breaking end mills at first so it is hard to say. I am more used to cutting D-2. This is my first time with 154-CM. Since I usually have to profile them to remove tool marks, I tend to run the end mills a little longer that I should. My machine is older, so I take it pretty easy with her. It will take about 20 minutes to profile the blade and mill out the hole for the internal stop pin.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Well, if you're running the spindle conservative you do have to feed conservative too, so 20 min isn't too bad really.

 

[Bobby Branton]

I make about four light passes on each part.

 

[Bastid]

Cool thread. It will be an education for a lot of us especially me.
Thanks Bobby.