I've hated my assortment of collet racks. They are all stationary. I've thought about setting up a cart with all the collets but the thought of another cart underfoot in the already cramped shop is too much. So the other day when Boostinjdm posted is very cool collet rack it got me thinking and today I cranked out my vision. I started by designing it to be cut out on the plasma table and bent to shape... this is where it all went wrong. So after cutting the part from aluminum I tried fitting the collet... a bit snug. I'd measured the old collet rack and it looked like 1-1/4" or there about. If I'd thought about it I would have realized my mistake and made the holed a squeak larger. Not a problem... I'll make the holes larger. Tried a flap wheel on the first few. Argh. I have 36 undersized holes. Easy... I'll run a step bit through them... but the step bit was too small... so I figured I'd make my own. It worked ok but I really need to look at the cutting geometry if I do it again. Nothing special, scrap of hydraulic piston shaped to work like a step bit. More to come. Attached Images
Reply:Now that all the holes are properly sized (1.27 not 1.25). I bent the part in the press brake. I then went and scrounged up some pine for the ends and changed my design from a fixed handle to a folding handle design. Fit the ends and screwed it all together with dottie square head screws. I don't keep wood screws around. The wood is finished in way oil (of course). After the fiasco with the holes I really got rushed to finished it. I have two more to do. I like the design. Appears to be very sturdy and compact while still being portable. Attached Images
Reply:You cheated. I did mine with a jigsaw and hole saw.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmYou cheated. I did mine with a jigsaw and hole saw.
Reply:nice.. why did you need it to be portable? do you have multiple lathes?
Reply:IT looks really good you rounded the wood corners but the handle cornersTO INVENT YOU NEED A GOOD IMAGINATION AND A PILE OF JUNK'' - THOMAS EDISONMost Of The Time People Don't see The Quality of a Good Job Unitl they see a Bad Job !! -Scott Esplin
Reply:Originally Posted by herbet99nice.. why did you need it to be portable? do you have multiple lathes?