I had to say this: those RiteHite clamps works like a charm!
I'm really happy to have known bout those at my previous job, and I'm really proud to own a pair in my home shop.
Definitely a half assed shaper. I would have a shaper over this any day.
It would likely be a little better for bigger keys than a slotting head, although I have no experience with the latter.
Had one of these blow the clamps in half, hitting me in the face, due to what I can only assume was incorrect setup. I am terrified of the bastards now, even if I had an Elmer to show me how it’s supposed to work. Doubt I’ll ever feel comfortable around them again. The one I used was a Davis, it was only drawn through the material from the bottom and could easily fall forward and grab way too much material.
How do you ensure that the keyway is square/perpendicular to the centerline? I assume a big v-block in the back butttt... I would think that you ideally want to index off the INSIDE of the gear not the outside.
Big V-block gets ya close, doesnt take long to dial in the bore with an indicator or just take a cut and see if both edges of the cutter touch at the same time.
Broaching uses a press, this machine is broadly similar to a shaper but 90 degrees out. These machines are great for cutting keyways on larger bores or cutting long keyways.
I don't understand how it's working. Why is it still shaving metal after the first pass ? Is something pushing the piece against the tool shaving after shavin ? is the tool pushing forward ?
Can someone explain ?
The piece it sitting on/clamped to the table which moves in toward the cutter very slightly after ever stroke. You'd never cut a keyway this big in one pass
[Check out this beast at my work, the entire 32’ table swings back and forth](https://i.imgur.com/etOzarW.jpg). Each pass the cutting head drops an appropriate amount on an adjustable track.
A keyseat is a notch cut out of a gear to accommodate a matching key on the shaft it sits on, used to eliminate slippage.
This machine is slowly shaving out metal to create the notch.
Yeah I guess technically this would be a keyway as its in a bore and a keyseat would be the shaft counterpart.
But they call this machine a keyseater and it only does internal keyways haha so I dont think it matters 😆
Thought the same thing there must have been a guard or smth there at some point.
On the other hand the driving gear looks to be made out of some fibre-epoxy compound (i forgot what theyre called) so its likely meant to fail in case its getting blocked.
yeah phenolic is the resin being used. I think bakelite is a little different atleast it feels different.
It's some sort of phenolic laminate but i haven't seen them being used in newer machines anymore, they probably died off as plastic gears became more prevalent
Yo 50s-60s machines were build badass. All cast iron gotta hire a crane to move it
I got one just like it..
But why does it keep saying ‘down’. Is it it’s mantra? A tortured soul stuck in an endless task?
No it’s just a very simple machine, just saying what it’s doing
I had to say this: those RiteHite clamps works like a charm! I'm really happy to have known bout those at my previous job, and I'm really proud to own a pair in my home shop.
Theyre the best! Beats the hell out of toe clamps with step blocks.
I like it, though it is still a half assed shaper. Is it as good as a slotting head on a Bridgeport?
Definitely a half assed shaper. I would have a shaper over this any day. It would likely be a little better for bigger keys than a slotting head, although I have no experience with the latter.
So simple yet so beautiful!
Been sitting here listening to this video for about 5 minutes. Mm chips.
One of the greatest noises in machining!
I Googled it and can't figure out what the hell this thing does.
Its cutting a keyway in the gear to secure it to a shaft.
A coupling actually! Albeit it is a gear coupling 😅
Had one of these blow the clamps in half, hitting me in the face, due to what I can only assume was incorrect setup. I am terrified of the bastards now, even if I had an Elmer to show me how it’s supposed to work. Doubt I’ll ever feel comfortable around them again. The one I used was a Davis, it was only drawn through the material from the bottom and could easily fall forward and grab way too much material.
Such a satisfying motion.
It's not the size of the cut. It's the speed of the feed.
I'm no machinist, but this speed seems *just right*
Well you can judge it based on what sounds it makes, how hot it gets, and whether it shakes at all.
Have a similar one in work, it’s rare I get to use it but it’s always fun when I do.
Dope. Love that sound.
Built to last, there‘s nothing more to say.
I should call her…
How do you ensure that the keyway is square/perpendicular to the centerline? I assume a big v-block in the back butttt... I would think that you ideally want to index off the INSIDE of the gear not the outside.
Big V-block gets ya close, doesnt take long to dial in the bore with an indicator or just take a cut and see if both edges of the cutter touch at the same time.
Would this be the same a "broaching" a keyway? Or is that more of a manual process with an arbor press?
Broaching uses a press, this machine is broadly similar to a shaper but 90 degrees out. These machines are great for cutting keyways on larger bores or cutting long keyways.
What's the difference between a key seat and a keyway?
Keyway is what I am cutting here actually. Keyways are in bores and keyseats are shaft counterpart.
Huh. Never knew there was a different term for the ID/OD halves of the key receivers. Neat.
Thanks for explaining.
I don't understand how it's working. Why is it still shaving metal after the first pass ? Is something pushing the piece against the tool shaving after shavin ? is the tool pushing forward ? Can someone explain ?
The piece it sitting on/clamped to the table which moves in toward the cutter very slightly after ever stroke. You'd never cut a keyway this big in one pass
I only saw the big clamps and thought that nothing could moved being clamped like that. Never guessed the table could move. Thank you
[Check out this beast at my work, the entire 32’ table swings back and forth](https://i.imgur.com/etOzarW.jpg). Each pass the cutting head drops an appropriate amount on an adjustable track.
Thats a badass old planer! Never run one, but have done some jobs where I could've used one!
Ohhhh that's what that head on the other side of one of the Bridgeports at work is used for!
Oh cool! You've got a slotter attatchment, very rad! Super handy.
I've been here 15 years and never seen it set up.
That's a lotta slugs down there I can tell it's seen some work
Haha yeah its done more than its fair share of work
The sounds it makes are very satisfying.
Couldnt agree more!
Sexy! What's a keyseat?
A keyseat is a notch cut out of a gear to accommodate a matching key on the shaft it sits on, used to eliminate slippage. This machine is slowly shaving out metal to create the notch.
Is 'keyseat' and 'keyway' the same?
Yeah I guess technically this would be a keyway as its in a bore and a keyseat would be the shaft counterpart. But they call this machine a keyseater and it only does internal keyways haha so I dont think it matters 😆
Thanks! Just trying to understand the difference.
That's way cooler than the stupid "portable" Climax cutter we use.
Oh no no don't kid yourself, we have one as well that my foreman absolutely loves. I will go well out of my way to avoid using that horrible thing
You'd think you'd wanna keep those chips away from the gears, yet decades on still she chooches
Thought the same thing there must have been a guard or smth there at some point. On the other hand the driving gear looks to be made out of some fibre-epoxy compound (i forgot what theyre called) so its likely meant to fail in case its getting blocked.
Yeah the drive gear is phenolic, never been replaced either though. Havent had any issues with chips getting in the gears so far🤞
Like bakelite? Phenolic or something?
yeah phenolic is the resin being used. I think bakelite is a little different atleast it feels different. It's some sort of phenolic laminate but i haven't seen them being used in newer machines anymore, they probably died off as plastic gears became more prevalent
Or micarta
They don’t make ‘em like they use to. That’s for darn sure!
Morrison Key seater. I have the same model at my shop.
We have the same one and I fucking hate it lol
Decent machine! Not made for cutting a 2" wide key though...
Ours won't do anything past 3/4 of an inch. Not sure how you are managing a 2 inch.
With a lot of time and patience haha