How to Make a Metal Lathe Knob Turner

This is my finished ball and knob turner. You can make knobs out of any material you want . Brass,plastic,aluminum,steel , wood .This style of turner i can create a ball up to 1 1/4 inch round.

Ball Turner Base Plan

Here are the plans for the base of the ball turner which goes into the cross slide of the lathe .

Machining the Base

pic#1 shows the 1 1/4 inch height i have to maintain and the end of the project.
#2shows milling the edges square
#3 shows milling the a edge slots that fit in the cross feed ..
#4 shows the top milled flush with the cross feed and it fits very snug.

Hub for Turner Rotor

Ball Turner Rotor Plan

Here is the detailed plans for the cutter rotor

Making the Rotor

pic #1 shows the rotor being drilled through with a 1/4 inch tap drill and will be threaded 1/4x20
#2 Shows boring a hole 1 1/4 wide by 3/8's deep to fit a bearing.
#3 shows the rotor with the 1 1/4 outside diameter x 3/8's thick x 1/2 inside diameter bearing press fitted flush to the bottom edge.

Milling the Rotor

pic#1 shows milling the center of the rotor which will help the cutter slide on center of the rotor.
#2,3,4 Show milling the rotor to the correct size for clearance to cut the knobs

Ball Turner Bit Plan

Here is the detailed plan for the turner bit

Making the Cutter Bit Bracket

pic #1 , 2 shows milling the stock to make sure the edges are square
#3 Shows the milled slot for the carbide bit will sit.
#4 ,5 show the bracket milled to the proper thickness.
#6 Shows the 1/4 inch milled adjustment slots .

1/4 and 3/8 Inch Threaded Knob Arbors

Here is the plan for the arbors for different size threaded knobs.

How to Make a Metal Lathe Knob Turner