Throat cutting tool for the horizontal minarelli

[oldgeek]

I have been working on a method to open up the throat for larger cylinders. Most people just chuck a cutter in a drill and go at it. That is fine, but that is just not the way I want to do it. A couple failed attempts with other jigs brought me to this method using a template and router for opening the throat. It works well and is actually pretty easy to use. However it is not easy making the template with the tools I have on hand. Getting the 52mm and cylinder stud holes cut cleanly in the plate and correctly centered was a chore. Sorry for the lack of decent pictures, I was trying to make a video but it didn't work out. The plate acts as a guide for the cutter to ride against. One pass was made with template in place then the template was removed and the cutting was finished free hand using the first cut as a guide. The last thing left to do to the cases is to trench them so they can flow better. I dont think a tool can be made for that, it all has to be done freehand.

[gsx600racer]

Cool idea. My only concern is the control of the tool. I bet she jumped around using a flute-ed cutter. You might want try a sanding drum instead. It wont "bite" in as much. It might take longer to do but will be more controlled.

I tried sketching something along the same lines as your idea and the more I sketched, the more complicated it got. The premise was to have the tool controlled in a guide and you could manually adjust it to control the diameter. It would cost more to make then buying the NYC case cutting tool. If you think you might do more than a few cases, id consider buying it. You could also offer service for a small fee and you could pay for the tool in no time.

[190mech]

I like the idea!Always wanted to build up something and have it as a rental tool for the members here,not enough hours in the day though!!

[oldgeek]

Jan 30, 2017 5:50:19 GMT -5 gsx600racer said:

Cool idea. My only concern is the control of the tool. I bet she jumped around using a flute-ed cutter. You might want try a sanding drum instead. It wont "bite" in as much. It might take longer to do but will be more controlled.

I tried sketching something along the same lines as your idea and the more I sketched, the more complicated it got. The premise was to have the tool controlled in a guide and you could manually adjust it to control the diameter. It would cost more to make then buying the NYC case cutting tool. If you think you might do more than a few cases, id consider buying it. You could also offer service for a small fee and you could pay for the tool in no time.

Believe it or not the the whole rig was very stable. The mass of the cutter, speed of the cutter is important. The feed rate is easy to control. The first cut using the template looked very smooth until I started freehanding the rest of the cut. I may incorporate some kind of bearing for the cutter shaft where it rides on the template, but it does not really need it.

[2TDave]

Having cut cases freehand I like the idea. The cylinder area isn't as big of a pita to me as the crank wheel area on the deep side case half. I seem to remember you having a rig for that as well.

[gsx600racer]

Jan 30, 2017 7:17:42 GMT -5 oldgeek said:

Jan 30, 2017 5:50:19 GMT -5 gsx600racer said:

Cool idea. My only concern is the control of the tool. I bet she jumped around using a flute-ed cutter. You might want try a sanding drum instead. It wont "bite" in as much. It might take longer to do but will be more controlled.

I tried sketching something along the same lines as your idea and the more I sketched, the more complicated it got. The premise was to have the tool controlled in a guide and you could manually adjust it to control the diameter. It would cost more to make then buying the NYC case cutting tool. If you think you might do more than a few cases, id consider buying it. You could also offer service for a small fee and you could pay for the tool in no time.

Believe it or not the the whole rig was very stable. The mass of the cutter, speed of the cutter is important. The feed rate is easy to control. The first cut using the template looked very smooth until I started freehanding the rest of the cut. I may incorporate some kind of bearing for the cutter shaft where it rides on the template, but it does not really need it.

This is sotra what I tried to envision. 



The tool holder was pin-ed into to face plate so it could not twist and followed the slot. The tool holder was adjustable on a slide so you could control the depth of cut.

Yeah I got too much time on my hands.

[oldgeek]

Jan 30, 2017 7:46:51 GMT -5 2TDave said:

Having cut cases freehand I like the idea. The cylinder area isn't as big of a pita to me as the crank wheel area on the deep side case half. I seem to remember you having a rig for that as well.

Yes, the other tool works much better now since I upgraded to a more powerful flex tool, a bigger and better cutter and a few other modifications .😀