Bob Wolfe
03-01-2010, 9:51 PM
I posted a question about building hollowing rigs recently and decided to pass on the captive bar type system and try to build an articulated arm, or steel snake as most are calling them now days. Here's what I came up with :D. This system is built off ideas I borrowed from several pictures of others I have seen and just a little bit of my own imagination. The big thing is I wanted a platform instead of it being mounted into the tailstock. I saw pictures of the one Mike Baber made and liked it but I don't have a welder and I don't know how to weld if I had one. Unlike Mike's design the platform vertical post is threaded and it is bolted to the base plate.
I built it from some pieces of mild steel and various hardware from ACE, Lowes and HD. I got the laser pointer from Radio Shack. The base plate is made of a plastic called Starboard. I also made the clamping mechanism from pieces of starboard I turned on the lathe and tapped. The laser mount is just steel tubing, plumbing fitting and a wood block I made to hold the laser. Tools needed were saw, drill press, vise & bits, grinder, sanding disc (on the lathe), taps, and files. So you don't need a complete metal shop and you don't need to be an expert in working with steel to make something like this.
So far it works pretty slick, but I need to make a bar or cutters for getting into the neck and into corners. I have ordered a set of thrust bearings to make it work even smoother. Thank you Bill Bolen for answering all my questions while I was building it. I need a lot of practice before I can make forms as nice as many of yours, but I'm still learning and I know it won't happen overnight. I'm having fun and that is what matters. :)
Bob Wolfe
I built it from some pieces of mild steel and various hardware from ACE, Lowes and HD. I got the laser pointer from Radio Shack. The base plate is made of a plastic called Starboard. I also made the clamping mechanism from pieces of starboard I turned on the lathe and tapped. The laser mount is just steel tubing, plumbing fitting and a wood block I made to hold the laser. Tools needed were saw, drill press, vise & bits, grinder, sanding disc (on the lathe), taps, and files. So you don't need a complete metal shop and you don't need to be an expert in working with steel to make something like this.
So far it works pretty slick, but I need to make a bar or cutters for getting into the neck and into corners. I have ordered a set of thrust bearings to make it work even smoother. Thank you Bill Bolen for answering all my questions while I was building it. I need a lot of practice before I can make forms as nice as many of yours, but I'm still learning and I know it won't happen overnight. I'm having fun and that is what matters. :)
Bob Wolfe