Cutting Disks for Canister Shells

[dagabu]

Here is a quick tutorial on how I cut disks for canister shells.

 

First, go ahead and buy a disk cutter from Harbor Freight for $5.00 LINK

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/cutter.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to remove the drill bit, we dont need one for these disks. Now, take both cutters off and flip them around so that the bevel is on the outside, like this picture.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/cutter2.jpg

 

 

 

 

Use a flat piece of plywood and bolt it down to the drill press bed then slowly bring the blades down to the surface just far enough to see that both blades touch the surface at the same time, turn the chuck 90° and test it again. Use a ruler and measure the disk size you want, loosen the blades and move them to that measurement then bring the cutter down slowly to the board, press hard enough to leave a small indent, turn the chuck 180° and lower the other blade, it should match the indent EXACTLY or you will need to loosen one of the cutters and adjust them.

 

DO NOT use cardboard under your disk material and only cut one sheet at a time. The board will get cut, that is fine, just spot once the disk starts to spin. Use a clap to hold the material down, do not hold on to it with your hand, if it slips, let it go and stop the drill. I use children's hard cover picture books that I either get from the library for a dime each or from garage sales. They make excellent end disks and with this set up, you can cut just about any size you need.

 

Here is the cutting in live action.

 

Edited December 19, 2010 by dagabu

[Algenco]

Cool! Can you change the crossbar?

I need 5.5"

[dagabu]

Sure! But why?

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/100_1564_1.jpg

[NightHawkInLight]

Nice, thanks for the tutorial. That's a nice little tool.

[Algenco]

Sure! But why?

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/100_1564_1.jpg

 

 

Harbor Frieght says 51/" max.

 

Thanks, ordering now

Edited December 20, 2010 by Algenco

[dagabu]

They lied

[BlastFromThePast]

I know this is OLD, but do you have any trouble with the crossbar jiggling a little through the part that extends into the drill chuck? The bar doesn't slide back and forth but it definitely torques a little...Of course, I did buy it from HF

[dave321]

is anything like this available in the uk?

 

so far i havent seen anything

 

dave

[AdmiralDonSnider]

Nice approach. I have seen sharpened pieces of metal pipe used to press out disks in a factory I recently visited.

[BlastFromThePast]

where was this factory?

[dagabu]

Nice approach. I have seen sharpened pieces of metal pipe used to press out disks in a factory I recently visited.

 

My first few punches were exactly that, sharpened pipe.

 

Yes Blast, there is some "wiggle" but I find that running it at 1200 RPM takes most of it away. I have punches now for all my disks but the 5" and 6" canisters, this still gets regular use.