Introduction: How to Make a Metal Lathe Knob Turner
This is my finished ball and knob turner. You can make knobs out of any material you want . Brass,plastic,aluminum,steel , wood .This style of turner i can create a ball up to 1 1/4 inch round.
Step 1: Ball Turner Base Plan
Here are the plans for the base of the ball turner which goes into the cross slide of the lathe .
Step 2: Machining the Base
pic#1 shows the 1 1/4 inch height i have to maintain and the end of the project.
#2shows milling the edges square
#3 shows milling the a edge slots that fit in the cross feed ..
#4 shows the top milled flush with the cross feed and it fits very snug.
Step 3: Hub for Turner Rotor
Step 4: Ball Turner Rotor Plan
Here is the detailed plans for the cutter rotor
Step 5: Making the Rotor
pic #1 shows the rotor being drilled through with a 1/4 inch tap drill and will be threaded 1/4x20
#2 Shows boring a hole 1 1/4 wide by 3/8's deep to fit a bearing.
#3 shows the rotor with the 1 1/4 outside diameter x 3/8's thick x 1/2 inside diameter bearing press fitted flush to the bottom edge.
Step 6: Milling the Rotor
pic#1 shows milling the center of the rotor which will help the cutter slide on center of the rotor.
#2,3,4 Show milling the rotor to the correct size for clearance to cut the knobs
Step 7: Ball Turner Bit Plan
Here is the detailed plan for the turner bit
Step 8: Making the Cutter Bit Bracket
pic #1 , 2 shows milling the stock to make sure the edges are square
#3 Shows the milled slot for the carbide bit will sit.
#4 ,5 show the bracket milled to the proper thickness.
#6 Shows the 1/4 inch milled adjustment slots .
Step 9: 1/4 and 3/8 Inch Threaded Knob Arbors
Here is the plan for the arbors for different size threaded knobs.
Step 10: Finished Video of the Knob Turner Turning a 1 '' Aluminum Knob

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11 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
What size lathe is this for? i need one for a 7x 10 lathe
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
This is a 12 x 36 lathe .
11 years ago on Introduction
great !!!…
but one question remains to be answered : how did you make the first knob as your tool handle ?
A bit like the chicken and the egg, I must say…
Great job.
Thank you !…
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
i actually had a knob i just put on there to make the first one . The threads didnt even match....
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
nice !…
have a good afternoon (or so …in europe it's already 8:30pm)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I build another ball turner which is more like the ones you see online .Which i have to take the compound off .I can send you a link if you like ?
www.redneckgadgets.weebly.com please leave a comment if ya like ..
Jim
11 years ago on Introduction
I started reading the related sidebar and I was like related to outhouses and toilet and camping? Then I made it to survival and I cracked up! I was like yup, I have to agree it'd be tough to survive without balls!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
sorry i have a paragraph saved so i just copy it and paste it ...
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I figured the Instructables robot was on the blink.
11 years ago on Introduction
You've got BALLs!!
one of those would make a really sweet shift knob.
I'm thinking I could use this idea with a wood lathe to make wood balls.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
It will cut wooden knobs also