Questions for Fat City people about the tube domer

[edoz]

The Fat City video that circulated recently made me want to try out something similar to the tube doming machine with my lathe. My initial attempt was promising, but I'd like to know some specifics.
What was the die made out of, and how exactly was it shaped? I couldn't really tell from the video.
I got some minor galling on the surface of the tube, was that normal for you guys or did yours turn out smooth?

[Tyler Evans]

The Fat City video that circulated recently made me want to try out something similar to the tube doming machine with my lathe. My initial attempt was promising, but I'd like to know some specifics.
What was the die made out of, and how exactly was it shaped? I couldn't really tell from the video.
I got some minor galling on the surface of the tube, was that normal for you guys or did yours turn out smooth?

Ask Jeff at Sputnik, He operated that machine... and possibly invented it.

[Dave Kirk]

The Fat City video that circulated recently made me want to try out something similar to the tube doming machine with my lathe. My initial attempt was promising, but I'd like to know some specifics.
What was the die made out of, and how exactly was it shaped? I couldn't really tell from the video.
I got some minor galling on the surface of the tube, was that normal for you guys or did yours turn out smooth?

I got to play with that machine a bit when it was moved to NY and frankly it was effective if very crude. It had a torch set up that heated the tube to about one zillion degrees (very bright glowing red) and then you turned a handle pushing a rather dull chunk of metal at a 45° across the tube. This formed the tube into a cone by hot forming it. There was always a red hot remnant chunk that would fly across the room and smolder in a corner threatening to burn the place to the ground.

The machine worked and was simple enough but better results could be had by having small cones turned on a CNC lathe and then welded into the end of the stay. Then it was slotted and a dropout installed. Much less heat, much less soot cooked into the tube and a much cleaner finish - and it was even cheaper to weld in the cones.

But it was fun to play with. OSHA didn't like it much with the red hot stuff flying around.

Dave

[steve garro]

$4.50 worth of love: Welcome to Paragon Machine Works - Garro.

[Lloyd Graves]

Dave is correct. You are better off with the Paragon units. The domer heated the tube end so much it didn't weld so great after. The insert was carbide if i remember correctly. The domer was old when Jeff got there. I remember him riding his skateboard to work. I don't think he said anything for about a year.

[Lloyd Graves]

you would also need "the penetrator" to get the chip out after you slot it.

[edoz]

I doubt I'll actually make stays for a frame doing this, the tubes that are available these days are more than adequate for what I build. I'm just insanely curious about the process. I saw it and had one of those "Whoa cool, I gotta try that" moments.

[bellman]

I doubt I'll actually make stays for a frame doing this, the tubes that are available these days are more than adequate for what I build. I'm just insanely curious about the process. I saw it and had one of those "Whoa cool, I gotta try that" moments.

I hear you Eric, I had thougt to try it just to try it using an old block style , 4 sided tool holder on my lathe. I have a project going that I could use it on as it would go into a plate/bmx style dropout with no slotting needed.