shaving down outside of 1/4" tube

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We currently CNC mill the end of a Swagelok 1/4" elbow (316L VIM-VAR Micro-Fit® 90° Union Elbow, 1/4 in. OD Part #: 6LV-4MW-9) to fit inside of something. The operation takes too long and so we are looking for alternatives, possibly some kind of outside reamer that could be used with a drill. Maybe similar to a deburring tool in operation. The tolerances are the tricky part. -0.001 +0.000Got any ideas?


Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:What is your definition of "taking too long" to CNC?  Also what volumes are you talking about?  Your tolerances are certainly an issue. Perhaps you could have a custom tool made but tool wear is going to cause trouble with your tolerances, esp on something like 316.  Maybe you just need a faster mill or lathe?-DaveXMT304 with: 22A Feeder, or HF251 Hi Freq DC TIG air cooled
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Originally Posted by davec

What is your definition of "taking too long" to CNC?  Also what volumes are you talking about?  Your tolerances are certainly an issue. Perhaps you could have a custom tool made but tool wear is going to cause trouble with your tolerances, esp on something like 316.  Maybe you just need a faster mill or lathe?
Reply:How are you locating the part in the CNC mill?Are you using a fixture? I would think that a fixture on afaceplate of a manual lathe would be faster than the CNC mill.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:I would look at enlarging the hole in the mating part. Reaming a hole 0.007" would be much easier than trying to machine the outside of a part that is irregular shaped, especially when trying to hold a 0.001" total tolerance.Reaming a hole could be a hand operation LONG before reducing the OD of a part could be a hand operation.
Reply:I'm sure you have thought of this but could you get/modify the mating part in 1/4" instead of 6mm?Have you asked Swagelok to make a fitting for your application? It would be more expensive but the mainissue is their lead times are horrible!You could contact Fitok, [email protected], and ask if they will make the fitting you need.They make a lot of custom fittings for us and most are very reasonably priced and lead times are much better than Swagelok!Here is their micro weld catalog. https://www.fitokgroup.com/catalog-detail/i-63/Also, with fitting manufacturers, don't assume that what shows in the catalog is all they have.I know for a fact that most fitting manufacturers have at least as many that don't show in the catalog.Last edited by rexcormack; 3 Weeks Ago at 09:08 AM.Reason: more information
Reply:would think you would be talking less than a minute per part including loading after building a jig even on a manual lathe. can't imagine an external reamer hitting those tolerances consistentlyDo not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
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Originally Posted by idacal

would think you would be talking less than a minute per part including loading after building a jig even on a manual lathe. can't imagine an external reamer hitting those tolerances consistently
Reply:How long does each piece take on the CNC now?How much of CNC cycle is the actual cutting time, and how much is taken up by the machine rapid traversing, finding home, etc?Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
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Originally Posted by jpump5

How long does each piece take on the CNC now?How much of CNC cycle is the actual cutting time, and how much is taken up by the machine rapid traversing, finding home, etc?
Reply:The parts take about 7 minutes to machine with 3 minutes for each setup. I was leaning towards a drill press with a custom tool, but it sounds like that will wear out too easily. I dont think a ream would work because it will come to a process change request to the customer(Yes, they are that anal). A fixture for the lathe would be great if it could repeat  the outside circumference. I dont believe centering the inside perfectly is a necessity.Sorry for the delay, I've been a bit busy with side work. (got a question brewing about it also)

Originally Posted by Oldiron2

... Not like he's never been here before.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Brainfarth

The parts take about 7 minutes to machine with 3 minutes for each setup. I was leaning towards a drill press with a custom tool, but it sounds like that will wear out too easily. I dont think a ream would work because it will come to a process change request to the customer(Yes, they are that anal). A fixture for the lathe would be great if it could repeat  the outside circumference. I dont believe centering the inside perfectly is a necessity.Sorry for the delay, I've been a bit busy with side work. (got a question brewing about it also)
Reply:It's in the hundreds. I dont know if we could purchase thousands of those elbows with the current supply issues. Could you draw a rough idea of the design?Who said I didnt?

Originally Posted by Oldiron2

At least you didn't come down with Covid, get subpoenaed over Jan. 6,
Reply:

Originally Posted by Brainfarth

It's in the hundreds. I dont know if we could purchase thousands of those elbows with the current supply issues. Could you draw a rough idea of the design?Who said I didnt?
Reply:No, we have socket screw style on our manual lathes. And MSNBC stated that at least 70% of covid people died, or infected triple vaxxed people that killed only their loved ones and almost all people in red states that voted for the insurrection.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.