Best system for duplicating parts?
I need to make a few parts the same shape and size and find it difficult to end up with more than two that look just a like. They all have a ball on the end, and for some reason, I end up with the ball located just a little off from the others. Does anyone have a "system" that they follow when making a bunch of the same things? Templates, those little contour gauge things with a hundred little fingers, ??????
http://images.rockler.com/rockler/im...992-01-200.jpg
Balls are a tough one to repeat
Steve, If you have not practiced a lot making spheres they are one of the hardest things to get matched up in turning. They do make shere turning jigs that allow you to repeat the process over and over again. I think you could make a rudimentary one to do what you need to do. Or buy one that is complete from one of the places that make them. It is a very simple design based on a pivot point and a cutter that can be moved in and out to create different radius shperes. Then once the sphere is created on the spindle it will be easier to complete and beads, coves, tapers etc.
Here is a link to one made for a metal turning lathe that can be used for wood, or replicated to do what you need. http://bedair.org/Ball/ball.html
Hope this helps,
Jeff