Type K pulley cutting tool?

[fuelfarmer]

Where can a simple minded farmer that does not speak "machine tool" buy a type K insert to cut the grooves in a pulley?  I would like to buy something on the new world wide web thingy if possible.

[mobile_bob]

that type of insert does exist and it negates the need for a cnc capable machine
because the spacing and pitch is perfect all one needs to assure is proper depth of cut
which is quite easily done on any manual lathe.

the only problem is it takes a special tool holder and probably in excess of 5hp to the spindle to
use on effectively, because all teeth are cut at the same time. so either you have enough hp or you go very slowly.

seems like we had a link to such a cutter, but i don't recall for sure

all else failing, go to    www. practicalmachinist.com and ask around, i know those guys use them and know where to get them.

bob g

[fuelfarmer]

I am sitting here with a part number, but can't seem to find a retailer. That simple mind of mine could be the problem. 

[fabricator]

Simple minded farmer my a$$, one that grows all his own oil crops for fuel then presses his own oil and makes it into bio diesel, simple minded..............

[xyzer]

I have seen these form tools and the ones I've seen do no cut the full width of the pulley. It would take a very rigid lathe with HP to do all groves at once. Even 4 groves are tough on a weak lathe. Have a good hold on it! I have a program for a CNC lathe that will do any size Micro pulley with a single point 40 deg tool. A single point 40 deg would work on a manual lathe with less strain on everything. You would just need a dial indicator to make the correct .140" steps and dial to the same zero. 
http://www.iscar.com/Ecat/familyHDR.asp?fnum=921&mapp=TG&GFSTYP=M&lang=EN&tool=I&type=1&search=Y

[mobile_bob]

the largest ones i have seen are either 5 or 6 point tools
and yes they would require some horsepower to drive,  probably 1 hp per groove unless you go
very slowly, but that is not what they are made for

they are made for rapid production, on very rigid machines with adequate power.

not the sort of thing the typical 10inch atlas is up to doing.

bob g

[fabricator]

I've cut lots of pulleys with hand ground HSS cutters, just find the angle of the belt relative to the sides an set the tool post angle, the bottom really doesn't matter pulleys are driven by the sides of the belt.

[Thob]

If it was me, and I was just doing one or two, I'd do what others have suggested:

1) Grind a HSS tool bit to a 40 degree (total included) angle

2) Set the compound to 20 degrees

3) Set the carriage up for the first groove and lock it down

4) Put a dial indicator on the carriage so I can precisely space the grooves

5) Feed the tool in with the compound so it cuts on one side only.  Use back gears for slow speed, cutting oil.  It should be similar to thread cutting.

6) When it's deep enough, back the tool out (compound) and move the carriage; 9/64" for K section (0.140625").  Lock it down again.

Once you start cutting, don't move the cross slide at all - only move the compound.

Since 9/64" is the pitch, I'd pre-calculate the amounts to move so that I don't keep adding up the round off.  Something like this:

Groove     offset
1             0
2             0.141
3             0.281
4             0.422
5             0.563
6             0.703

Double check the math!

[38ac]

Yup, just as they said, grind a single point tool and Thob's step by step from there  is right on   I went with an automotive belt on my 6/1 and they are different than the K series. . A standard 60 degree threading insert was so close to fitting the grooves on an existing pulley I had in the shop that I diidnt bother grinding a bit.

[Thob]

I forgot one critical step - take pictures and post them 

[fuelfarmer]

Thanks for the advise.

I thought a type K belt was an automotive belt.

I could have a neighbor with over 50 years of tools and experience make a pulley, or sneak into my nephews shop and use his big old honking lathe and break some of this tools. I am not a machinist at all, but I can make metal shavings and sometimes actual parts. 

I still want a shiny pointy cutting thingy to cut the grooves. I just need to find someone to sell me one.   

[listard-jp2]

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but the discussion of machining pulleys with custom belt groove profile got me thinking the following.

A hypothetical question here:

What would the demand be like for heavy duty (startomatic style with kidney cut out) flywheels, made exactly to the original Lister drawings that would also be available in the following options:

1), Version suitable for use with original single cylinder Lister CS engines (out of balance flywheel).

2), Version suitable for Listeriod engine with internally balanced crankshaft, also suitable for twin cylinder Lister CS engines ( fully balanced flywheel).

3), Taperlock hub mounting as an optional extra.

4), Flywheel rim machined for twin vee belts or serpentine belt groove profile as an optional extra.

5), Shrunk on starter ring.

6), Flyheel hub drilled for suitable extractor bolt location when the need arises to remove a stubborn flywhhel.

[dieselgman]

You can always start a new thread! Shipping these days is eating our lunch. Flywheels in particular account for a good chunk of the shipping costs on one of these engines. We have a few requests for more specialised flywheels but I doubt that demand would entail more than a dozen per year. To set up a new casting and machining operation would be costly and generally not too practical until we could talk about 100s of units.

dieselgman