The Flexible Axis Revolving Tool-holder is a spring-loaded, ball bearing precision device which can apply variable force and cut or draw on uneven surfaces. It can be a drag knife, pen holder, plotter holder, and more!
To build this, you need to find a rod which can fit into your spindle collet(mine was 1/4" so I found a 1/4" rod). Then you need a spring which fits around the rod and is of the length and tension which supports your needs and z-axis travel. Finally you need some material for the block which can be drilled and hold it's shape well(I'd prefer aluminium but all I had was plexiglass). Then you drill 2 holes. One is straight through and the other is at 35 degrees. Put the rod through the hole and then hold it in place using c-clips and the spring. then tap another hole perpendicular to the hole at 35deg and insert a set screw to hold your tool.
I was able to use parts from a printer I tore down. I found a plastic collar with a bearing in it that fit the rod perfectly and a plastic washer to keep the spring from snagging the rotating collar. I used my drill press to hold the precision rods while I used a hacksaw to cut the c-clip slots. It has minimal play and a large travel with highly variable force. There's a tiny amount of play in the plastic collar but it won't affect the outcomes significantly.
Flexible Axis Revolving Tool-holder
Build in 'Everything Else' published by The Dude, Feb 7, 2014.
Drag knife and pen holder which mounts in spindle collet.
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- Build Progress:
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- Build Complete!
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Special Notes
I would like to extend this by adding a way to lock the rotating parts so I can draw with a calligraphy pen.
hamid salahshour, GrayUK, zolmic and 5 others like this. -
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Build Author The Dude, Find all builds by The Dude
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Build Details
- Build License:
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- CC - Attribution Share Alike - CC BY SA
Reason for this Build
I built this because I needed a way to draw on my uneven router table without smashing the pen head. I had also heard about drag knifes and knew I would be needing one so I made a device which does both.