Embodiments of the present invention relate to fluted woodturning tools of various kinds and types that are mounted into handles of varying lengths and are then used in a hand-held manner to shape a wooden workpiece while that workpiece is being rotated on a lathe.
Woodturning tools are used by all woodturners. With few exceptions, these tools are very similar within families (such as, for example, Bowl Gouges, Spindle Gouges, Spindle Roughing Gouges, Detail Gouges, and the like) for material selection and configuration. Thus there is no appreciable difference among sources for innate performance criteria. The few that utilize high performance materials are limited in supply and are considerably more expensive.
None of the currently available tools incorporate any improvements in mechanical design that would effectively damp vibration. None of the currently available tools incorporate variations of blade cross-section to improve blade beam strength. None of the currently available tools incorporate a manufacturing method that reduces the volume of expensive cutting edge material and thus reduces the overall material and manufacturing cost of the tool while maintaining its increased functionality. None of the currently available tools incorporate a strengthening bolster for the tool shaft that includes a vibration damping material such as flake graphite cast iron. None of the currently available tools incorporate a fiber and resin and aluminum composite handle which reduces initial weight, damps vibration, reduces vibration transfer to the user of the tool, and allows the user to adjust handle weight to suit his preference.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a fluted woodworking lathe tool designed to include a laminated tool steel blade insert attached to a supporting substrate. The tool permits precision fitting of the blade/substrate composite into either a hollow oblong beam shaft or a round shaft. An inserted flute insert piece provides the transition from the blade to the oblong beam shaft and incorporates a beveled distal face which also functions as a chip deflection plate.
The finished tools may be made with and without a replaceable cutting edge insert assembly, for example.
The tools incorporate a hollow shaft that can be filled with metallic shot which damps vibration from the cutting edge and reduces vibration transfer to the handle. The oblong shape of the shaft significantly increases the vertical beam strength of the tool, thus reducing edge deflection during turning and thus reducing tool vibration. The tool shaft is attached to a cast iron bolster which provides structural support and further damps vibration from the cutting edge and reduces vibration transfer to the handle. The completed blade assembly is fitted into a handle utilizing a taperlock joint design. The removable handle is made of a concentric assembly of an extruded aluminum shaped insert that is encapsulated by a fiber reinforced composite sleeve with the distal end fitted with an insert that is shaped to accept the blade assembly and with the proximal end fitted with an insert shaped to accept end caps of various shapes. An internal threaded connection or some other connection mechanism may be included to secure the blade into the handle. The connection allows the user to quickly release and change blades thus utilizing one handle with multiple blades, according to embodiments of the present invention. The handle can be selectively filled with shot for damping as well as user preferred weight adjustment.
A primary tool option according to one embodiment of the present invention incorporates a replaceable cutting edge insert assembly which is attached to the oblong beam shaft with a gasketed loose tenon arrangement. This provides the user with a low cost way of refurbishing the tool once all the high-cost cutting edge material has been consumed.
Embodiments of the present invention include an improved fluted woodturning tool that significantly improves serviceability. Expensive wear-resistant cutting edge materials are machined in such a way that they can be adhered to and laminated with inexpensive materials and then further machined and processed in such a way that tool cutting edge performance is optimized by providing long cutting edge life and durability while keeping tool cost affordable. This adherence can be either through the use of adhesives or through the use of various metallurgical bonding techniques such as, but not limited, to brazing and/or soldering.
The void created in the tool blade during manufacturing may be stopped by the installation of a beveled deflection plate flute insert. This insert fortifies the strength of the tool as well as improves the chip extraction of those tools incorporating a fluted design.
The tool shaft may be a vertically oblong beam. This dramatically reduces tool deflection during turning and thus reduces the amplitude of any vibrations created within the tool.
The void created in the tool beam shaft during manufacturing may be filled with metallic shot. This shot damps vibration within the tool and reduces vibration transfer through the tool to the handle of the tool and thus to the hands of the tool user.
The tool shaft may be inserted into and adhered to a pearlitic matrix flake graphite cast iron bolster. This adherence can be achieved through the use of adhesives and/or through the use of various metallurgical bonding techniques such as, but not limited to, brazing or soldering.
The pearlitic matrix flake graphite cast iron bolster fortifies the strength of the tool, damps vibration within the tool, and reduces vibration transfer to the handle of the tool, according to embodiments of the present invention.
The exterior sleeve of the handle of the tool may be principally made of fiberglass fiber and a woven blend of carbon and aramid fibers, all of which are resin bonded into a rigid composite, according to embodiments of the present invention. The sleeve provides ergonomic compatibility to the human hand for both size and shape.
The interior of the handle of the tool may be compartmentalized through the use of an insert. These compartments may be selectively filled with metallic shot and thus permit a wide range of adjustments to handle weight at the discretion of the user.
The interior handle compartments may be selectively filled with metallic shot and thus provide additional vibration damping, again at the discretion of the user.
The cutting edge insert assembly may be made replaceable, thus reducing the lifetime cost of using the tool for the tool owner.
A fluted woodturning cutting blade may include one or more of the following features and/or characteristics, according to embodiments of the present invention:
A laminated composite of expensive wear resistant material and low cost support material, thus improving functionality while reducing cost.
A tool shaft with an optional oblong beam shaft shape which provides increased bending strength and thus reduces tool tip deflection and tool vibration while turning.
A hollow blade oblong beam shaft encapsulating metallic shot which dampens vibration.
Wherein the blade is held in a handle utilizing a precision taper lock bolster.
Wherein the bolster material provides increased vibration damping.
Wherein the bolster allows quick and easy blade interchangeability within the handle.
A handle for such a woodturning cutting blade may include one or more of the following features and/or characteristics, according to embodiments of the present invention:
Wherein the handle is a fiber reinforced composite which provides a reduction in initial overall tool weight.
Wherein the handle provides a mechanism for inclusion of metallic shot within the handle in such a way that provides vibration damping as well as user preferred weight adjustment.
Wherein the handle shape provides improved ergonomic comfort and compatibility for the user.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a fluted woodturning tool comprised of a cutting blade is assembled to a handle such that the combination of one or more of the features and/or characteristics described above give the user a vibration free or substantially vibration free tool.
A woodturning tool according to embodiments of the present invention includes a shaft having a shaft tip, wherein the shaft tip is made of a first metal, and a cutting edge insert, at least a portion of an outer surface of the cutting edge insert rigidly joined to an inner surface of the shaft tip, the cutting edge insert formed of a second metal, the cutting edge insert being fluted and sharpened to form a cutting edge for woodturning, wherein the second metal is different from the first metal, and wherein the second metal is more wear-resistant than the first metal.
The woodturning tool of paragraph [0022], wherein the second metal is high vanadium tool steel, and wherein the first metal is stainless steel.
The woodturning tool of paragraphs [0022] or [0023], wherein the second metal has a vanadium content from ten to fifteen percent, and wherein the first metal is a 400-series stainless steel.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0024], wherein the shaft tip has an outer perimeter that is substantially uniform along its length, wherein the fluted cutting edge insert opens toward a first direction, and wherein a height of the shaft tip along the first direction is larger than a width of the shaft tip along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0025], wherein the shaft has an outer perimeter that is substantially the same along its length, and wherein the shaft outer perimeter is the same as the shaft tip outer perimeter.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0026], wherein the at least a portion of the outer surface of the cutting edge insert is laminated to the inner surface of the shaft tip with brazing or polymeric adhesive.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0027], wherein the shaft comprises an annular recess at least partially filled with metallic spherules.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0028], wherein the tool permits addition of and withdrawal of the metallic spherules for user customized balancing and vibration dampening.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0029], wherein the shaft tip is rigidly and reversibly coupled to the shaft to permit exchange of the shaft tip and the cutting edge insert for a new shaft tip and a new cutting edge insert.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0030], further comprising a tenon and a gasket, wherein the gasket is located between a distal end of the shaft and a proximal end of the shaft tip, and wherein the tenon extends within the shaft, the shaft tip, and the gasket.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0031], further comprising a flute insert, the flute insert rigidly joined to both the inner surface of the shaft tip and a proximal inner surface of the cutting edge insert.
The woodturning tool of any of paragraphs [0022] to [0032], wherein a distal face of the flute insert is beveled to provide chip deflection.
A method for manufacturing a woodturning tool according to embodiments of the present invention includes forming a shaft, forming a shaft tip of a first metal, inserting a cutting edge insert into the shaft tip, rigidly joining an outer surface of the cutting edge insert to an inner surface of the shaft tip, wherein the cutting edge insert is formed of a second metal, the cutting edge insert being fluted, and machining the cutting edge insert to form a cutting edge for woodturning, wherein the second metal is different from the first metal, and wherein the second metal is more wear-resistant than the first metal.
The method of paragraph [0034], wherein machining the cutting edge insert includes machining the cutting edge insert after rigidly joining the cutting edge insert to the shaft tip.
The method of paragraphs [0034] or [0035], wherein rigidly joining the outer surface of the cutting edge insert to the inner surface of the shaft tip includes laminating the outer surface of the cutting edge insert with the inner surface of the shaft tip by brazing or by applying a polymeric adhesive.
The method of any of paragraphs [0034] to [0036], further including forming an annular recess in the shaft, and at least partially filling the annular recess with metallic spherules.
The method of any of paragraphs [0034] to [0037], further including balancing the tool according to a user's preference by adding metallic spherules to the annular recess or withdrawing metallic spherules from the recess.
The method of any of paragraphs [0034] to [0038], further including forming the shaft tip and the shaft as a single unitary structure.
The method of any of paragraphs [0034] to [0039], further including rigidly and reversibly joining the shaft tip to the shaft to permit exchange of the shaft tip and the cutting edge insert for a new shaft tip and a new cutting edge insert.
The method of any of paragraphs [0034] to [0040], further including forming a flute insert, and rigidly joining the flute insert to both the inner surface of the shaft tip and a proximal inner surface of the cutting edge insert.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The following reference numbers are used herein to refer to the following features:
Replaceable Cutting Edge Tools
The cutting edge insert 1 may be, but is not limited to, high vanadium tool steel commonly known as 10V or 15V. The initial cutting edge insert workpiece 1, illustrated as 1a in
The flute insert 2 is made of, but is not limited to, 400-series stainless steel which starts as a round bar that has been cut to the appropriate length. The initial flute insert workpiece 2, illustrated as 2a in
The double length pieces shown in
The oblong beam shaft tip 3 may be made of 400-series stainless steel which starts as a round bar that has been cut to the appropriate length, according to embodiments of the present invention. It may be machined by grinding into an oblong cross-sectional shape as seen in
As illustrated in
The final steps in finishing the cutting edge assembly include grinding across the distal portion of the oblong beam shaft tip 3 to open the flute of the tool. This transforms this area of the tool from what is shown in
The gasket 4 between the oblong beam shaft tip 3 and the oblong beam shaft 6 may be made of an aluminum bronze material. Purchased as sheet material, it is machined and formed in such a way that it can be mounted onto the round loose tenon 5 and has the same outside shape as the oblong beam shaft parts 3 and 6, according to embodiments of the present invention.
The oblong beam shaft to cutting edge assembly round loose tenon 5 may be made of 400-series stainless steel, according to embodiments of the present invention. It provides alignment and structural strength for the assembly and joining of the oblong beam shaft tip 3, the oblong beam shaft gasket 4, and the oblong beam shaft 6, according to embodiments of the present invention. It starts as a round bar that has been cut to the appropriate length. It may be machined by grinding into a precise diameter and is shown in
The oblong beam shaft 6 is made of the same material and has similar processing as the oblong beam shaft tip 3 described above, according to embodiments of the present invention. The distal end of shaft 6 is machined to accommodate the installation of the gasket 4 and the round loose tenon 5. The proximal end is machined to a shape and size to allow its installation into and attachment to the bolster 7.
The bolster 7 may be made of pearlitic flake graphite cast iron. It starts as a round bar casting that has been cut to the appropriate length. The internal and external shapes and features are machined into this piece by various means, including but not limited to lathe turning, traditional grinding, profile grinding, and/or creep feed grinding.
The metallic shot 8 used for filling the oblong beam shaft 6 can be any of many metallic particulate materials. According to some embodiments of the present invention, steel shot is a cost effective metallic filling. Metallic shot 8 may also be referred to as metallic spherules, according to embodiments of the present invention.
The following describes an exemplary assembly sequence, according to embodiments of the present invention.
The distal end of the tool blade is made up of the cutting edge insert 1, the flute insert 2, and the oblong beam shaft tip 3. After each is machined, they are joined together into the assembly shown in
The proximal end of the tool blade is made up of the gasket 4, the round loose tenon 5, the oblong beam shaft 6, the bolster 7, and the metallic shot 8, according to embodiments of the present invention. After each is machined, they are joined together. If brazing is used, the assembly can be heat treated after brazing. If assembled by some other joinery method, the components may be heat treated before assembly.
At this point the proximal end of the partially completed blade assembly may be filled with metallic shot 8 and joined to the bolster 7. As described above, this assembly method can utilize polymeric adhesives or brazing, for example. If the latter, this can be done during or after the tempering heat treating process. The proximal end of the tool oblong beam shaft 6 of the cutting blade assembly is inserted into the distal hole 7c of bolster 7 and is then affixed to the bolster 7. The completed blade assembly perspective view is shown in
According to embodiments of the present invention, the cutting edge assembly is replaceable. This replaceability of the cutting edge assembly may be accomplished by including the gasket 4 and the round loose tenon 5 between the oblong beam shaft tip assembly and the oblong beam shaft as well as adding the corresponding machining and processing to accommodate these components. The dimensional relationship of these components is illustrated in
A polymeric adhesive such as, but not limited to, Loctite 680 for the joint of the round loose tenon 5 and the gasket 4 to the oblong beam shaft tip 3 in and around hole 5A provides the bonding method for the transverse joining of the distal and proximal oblong beam shaft assemblies shown in
The bolster 7 includes a conical taper portion 7d which serves to support the blade while accurately and firmly locating the tool into the handle (see
Round Shaft Tools
The cutting edge insert 1 and the flute insert 2 may be the same as or similar to those described, above. For this round shaft style of tool, the oblong beam shaft assemblies may be replaced by a single round shaft 9.
The round shaft 9 may be made of, for example, 400-series stainless steel which starts as a round bar that has been cut to the appropriate length, according to embodiments of the present invention. It may then be gun drilled from the distal end as shown in
The round shaft tool version can be made with or without the addition of metallic shot added to the inside of the tool shaft, according to embodiments of the present invention. If metallic shot damping is included, then the proximal end of the tool is gun drilled to provide a void 8a in the shaft that accommodates the shot, as shown in
Whether or not metallic shot is added to the inside of the tool shaft, the proximal end of the partially completed blade assembly may then be joined to the bolster 7. As previously described, this assembly method can utilize various joining procedures, including but not limited to polymeric adhesives and/or brazing. If brazing is used, this can be done during or after the tempering heat treating process.
The final steps in finishing the cutting edge assembly include grinding across the distal portion of the shaft 9 to open the flute of the tool, according to embodiments of the present invention. This transforms this area of the tool from what is shown in
The completed blade assembly perspective view is shown in
The finished blade assembly shown in
Handles
The handle outside sleeve 12 may be formed from a pultruded thick-walled tube made of a resin bonded composite of fiberglass and carbon and aramid fibers, according to embodiments of the present invention. Outside sleeve 12 may be produced in long lengths and subsequently cut to desired lengths. The shape and size of one example of the sleeve 12 is illustrated in
The handle insert 13 is may be formed of an aluminum extrusion, sized to be a sliding fit within the sleeve 12, according to embodiments of the present invention. Insert 13 may be produced in longer lengths and subsequently cut to desired lengths. The shape and size of one example of a handle insert 13 is illustrated in
The handle distal end insert 10 may be formed of an aluminum extrusion, sized to be a profile match with the handle outside sleeve 12, according to embodiments of the present invention. Insert 10 may be produced in longer lengths and subsequently cut to desired lengths. It may then be machined into the configurations seen in the side view in
The distal end insert 10 includes an internal conical taper portion that matches the taper shown as 7d on the tool bolster 7, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, this aspect of the handle assembly provides for engagement of the tool blade assembly to the handle. The distal end insert 10 may be adhered, glued, or otherwise engaged with the handle outside sleeve 12, according to embodiments of the present invention.
The handle threaded bolster locator 11 may be formed of 400 series stainless steel, which may be machined after appropriately sized bar stock is cut to size, according to embodiments of the present invention. A finished bolster locator 11 is illustrated in
The handle proximal end insert 14 may be made in the same way and from the same material as that used for the distal end insert 10, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, handle proximal end insert 14 provides an interface for the insertion and securement of the handle end cap 15. A finished end insert 14 is illustrated in the exploded assembly views in
The handle end cap 15 may be made in the same way and from the same material as that used for the end inserts 10 and 14, according to embodiments of the present invention. A finished end cap 15 is illustrated in the exploded assembly views in
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the assembly of the handle occurs in essentially five steps:
1. inserting the distal end cap assembly (pieces 10 and 11) and securing it with an appropriate adhesive;
2. installing the insert 13 and securing it with an appropriate adhesive up against the inside end of the distal end cap 10;
3. inserting the proximal end cap 14 and securing it with an appropriate adhesive;
4. selectively and optionally filling the chosen compartments of the insert 13 with metallic shot 8; and
5. finally, closing the proximal end of the handle by installing the end cap 15 in the threaded portion of the end cap 14.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the material out of which the edge insert 1 is made is more wear-resistant than the substrate metal (e.g. the shaft tip) into which it is inserted (e.g. the metal of the shaft tip 3). According to some embodiments of the present invention, the edge insert 1 is made with a ten to fifteen percent vanadium tool steel; according to other embodiments, other high alloy tool steels are used, for example high speed steels which contain both vanadium and tungsten to increase wear resistance. High speed steel which contains other elements such as cobalt to allow the steel to work at elevated temperatures may be used. According to embodiments of the present invention, pre-shaping the edge insert 1 and then making a reserve shape to add strength at the joint and not to expose the joint outside of the substrate, as well as deflect the shavings, permits any wear-resistant material to be used for the edge insert 1 to produce a cutting edge. Other materials which may be used for the edge insert 1 include high alloy tool steel, high speed steel, tungsten carbide, and/or ceramics such as zirconia and the like.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the substrate (e.g. the shaft tip 3) is a 400 series stainless steel, which may be brazed and then heat treated on the same cycle as the tool steels and high speed steels and still maintain the structural qualities and hardness required for the substrate. Other less expensive tool steels which may not have the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, but which would otherwise function in a similar manner and may be suitable for use as the substrate material.
The flute insert 2 may be made with almost any type of metal; according to some embodiments of the present invention, the flute insert 2 is made of the same kind of material as the substrate (e.g. the shaft tip 3).
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/333,688, filed on May 11, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
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