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10.15 Chamfering

Micky R. Jennings

A turning tool to the side of a freshly turned 45 degree chamfer at the end of a part.
Figure 10.148. A turning tool beside a freshly turned 45 degree chamfer at the end of a part. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

A chamfer is a machined feature that is angled and more uniform than a standard broken edge. Chamfers can be used to soften the sharp outside corners of parts as well as the inside corners of bores and holes. Chamfers can be any angle, but 45 degrees us a common chamfer angle on a lathe print.

Step by step process cutting 45 degree chamfers:

  1. Adjust the compound to a 45 degree angle.
  2. Align the tool post.
  3. Apply layout dye.
  4. Bring the tool up close to the corner that needs to be chamfered.
  5. Lock the carriage.
  6. Move the compound rest side to side while at the same time slowly moving in on the cross slide until the tip of the tool just touches the corner of the part.
  7. Zero the cross slide handle.
  8. Move the tool to just in front of the work with the compound.
  9. Make depth cuts with the cross slide and cut towards the spindle with the compound until final size is reached.

Author’s Tip

I only cut towards the spindle with the compound. It is okay to rake the tool back across the chamfer surface when roughing multiple passes, but don’t attempt to cut backwards. The reason for this is that the backlash in the compound will give inaccurate sizes when cutting both ways. This can lead to inaccurate measurements and overcutting situations. On the final cut, do not drag the tool back across the finished surface; just back out on the cross slide. This will preserve the nice finish of the forward cut.

Step 1: Adjust the compound to a 45 degree angle.

A hand holding a wrench loosens the nuts, locking the compound rest in place.
Figure 10.149. A hand holding a wrench loosens the nuts, locking the compound rest in place. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Step 1: Adjust the compound to a 45 degree angle.

The compound rest is set to 45 degrees.
Figure 10.150. The compound rest is set to 45 degrees. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Step 1: Adjust the compound to a 45 degree angle.

A wider view of the compound rest is set to 45 degrees, showing the toolpost and tool.
Figure 10.151. A wider view of the compound rest is set to 45 degrees, showing the tool post and tool. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Step 3: Apply layout dye.

A hand applies layout die to the end of the part.
Figure 10.152. A hand applies layout die to the end of the part. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Step 3: Apply layout dye.

A hand applies layout die to the od of the part at the end.
Figure 10.153. A hand applies layout die to the end of the part. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Step 3: Apply layout dye.

The turning tool is positioned at the front of the part in preparation for turning the chamfer.
Figure 10.154. The turning tool is positioned at the front of the part in preparation for turning the chamfer. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Step 5: Lock the carriage.

A hand uses a wrench to tighten the carriage locking mechanism to secure the carriage to the ways.
Figure 10.155. A hand uses a wrench to tighten the carriage locking mechanism to secure the carriage to the ways. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Step 6: Move the compound rest side to side while slowly moving in on the cross slide until the tip of the tool just touches the corner of the part.

Step 7: Zero the cross slide handle.

Two hands working in conjunction to zero the graduated collar of the cross slide.
Figure 10.156. Two hands working in conjunction to zero the graduated collar of the cross-slide. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Step 7: Zero the cross slide handle.

Step 9: Make depth cuts with the cross slide and cut towards the spindle with the compound until final size is reached.

Step 9: Make depth cuts with the cross slide and cut towards the spindle with the compound until final size is reached.

A turning tool to the side of a freshly turned 45 degree chamfer at the end of a part.
Figure 10.157. A turning tool to the side of a freshly turned 45 degree chamfer at the end of a part. / Image Credit: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, CC BY 4.0

Attributions

  1. Figure 10.148: Finished chamfer by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  2. Figure 10.149: Loosen the compound rest by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  3. Figure 10.150: Set the angle by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  4. Figure 10.151: Set to 45 degrees by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  5. Figure 10.152: Layout dye by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  6. Figure 10.153: Applying layout dye by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  7. Figure 10.154: Positioning the tool by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  8. Figure 10.155: Locking the carriage by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  9. Video 10.77: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  10. Figure 10.156: Zeroing the cross slide by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  11. Video 10.78: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  12. Video 10.79: Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
  13. Figure 10.157: Finished chamfer by Micky R. Jennings, courtesy of Wenatchee Valley College, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
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Introduction to Machining Copyright © by SBCTC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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