Products for bench top machinists | LittleMachineShop.com

Ball and Radius Turning Tool, Small

Ball and Radius Turning Tool, Small - Main image
$80.37 $119.95 In stock

The small Ball and Radius Turning Tool, like its larger counterpart, is designed to cut round shapes or curves in brass, aluminum, steel, wood or plastic on your own lathe. Balls in the ends of rods, shafts, or handles are easily turned with the tool. You can also make ball joints, governor weights, railing knobs, round contact points for tools, nose cones, and many other useful and decorative objects.

On most lathes, the Ball and Radius Turning Tool will fit in standard tool holders. The tool is designed so that the center height is 1/4" from the bottom of the shank, so that on lathes like the Sherline or Taig, which use a standard 1/4" tool bit, little or no shimming is needed. On other lathes, the tool can be easily shimmed to center height. The tool comes with a pre-ground HSS tool bit which may be easily sharpened or modified.

This tool is manufactured from the highest quality materials. Frames and handle are machined from high strength aluminum alloy. The pivot pins are hardened and ground and rotate in custom bronze bearings. The tool is completely machined from solid metal stock, there are no stamped, cast or pressed parts. A pre-ground High Speed steel tool bit is included.

Each lathe radius turning tool is manufactured in the USA for LittleMachineShop.com by Belfanti Tool works and is carefully assembled and inspected before shipment in our warehouse.

*NOTE: See Chris' Tips below for more information on use.

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Standard Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

Express Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

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Delivery costs

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Standard Shipping · United States: $0.00

Express Shipping · United States: $3.99

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Returning an item

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United States · Return window (days after delivery): 30. Return method: By mail. Return postage: Seller pays.

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Customer Reviews (4.8 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Samuel L. ★★★★★

I was surprised how easily it cut a clean brass ball on my first try. The adjustable cutter arm made setting the radius a breeze.

William ★★★★★

Finally got around to turning some small brass ball ends on my lathe, and this tool cut the radius cleanly with minimal chatter. The hardened steel tip held its edge through a dozen practice pieces without needing a touch-up. It's a solid little accessory for anyone who makes custom knobs or decorat

Elizabeth D. ★★★★★

I was surprised how cleanly this cuts curves in brass without any chatter. The hardened steel cutters hold an edge well even after a few tough jobs. Perfect for adding custom ball ends to small rods.