Expansion Arbors --- No through hole...No Problem..Take a Look

This video will show you a device called an expansion arbor. It works well for holding inside a part bore for second op machining on a lathe. You think you've seen it all, think again. Watch this video for a whole new perspective on expansion arbors.

[@grahameblankley3813]

I have worked in engineering all my life,& you need more than one life time to learn it all,I am 70 now, you teach me many new things thank you.

[@rinklestiltskin]

Hi, Joe,Alan here in UK. We really enjoy your videos, and as a toolmaker who is still working after qualifying over fifty years ago still find there are things to be learned. We have a job which is a tube and sticks out of the chuck far enough to need supporting on a centre. Your expanding mandrel in a blind hole has given me the solution, and we can relieve it so as to be able to face the end. We like your direct no nonsense style, and I bet like us, every aspect of your life is precise, to the point and truthful.Many thanks, keep it up. Incidentally we use Hardinge and Cincinnati machines along with our native Colchester and Jones and Shipman. We're old school!

[@joepie221]

Hi Alan. Thanks for checking in. Glad to hear I gave you some food for thought. I like when someone takes one of my presentations and works it into something else. Evolution at its finest. Take care.

[@paultrgnp]

Hey Joe, It seems a bit lame to repeat the accolades offered by so many others, but I feel compelled to say that you're videos are ABSOLUTE GOLD to a 60-year old learner like me. Also, to the guy that queried about writing a book, don't mess with perfection this (KZbin) suits your knowledge, personality and style to a tee. I vote you No 1 KZbin contributor of all time. Best regards N.

[@joepie221]

Thats a great compliment. Thanks you for taking the time to watch and send the message. Much appreciated.

[@rdick218]

How could 10 people give a thumbs down? As someone new to machining I find this stuff priceless! Thanks Joe

[@bodgewareham6997]

Thanks Joe. Man after my own heart. Can't stop working out new ways to fix old problems. I'm 68 and just started learning lathe work. Never stop learning new tricks. Body shot, brain still active.

[@Gottenhimfella]

The O-ring arbor version was a nice implementation, and your afterthought pointing out the need for drilling a short recess to the major diameter to clear the unfinished threads under the head on most countersunk screws was pure gold. Most people would miss this, and the arbor would expand unevenly as a result. One quick and dirty kludge I have got away with for lightly skimming the outside diameter of (say) one or two bronze or plastic bushes to ease the fit, is to use an expanding reamer of the Sutton Microset style, chuckng the shank and supporting the entry end on a running centre in the tailstock. Don't overtighten or you'll mark the bore!

[@quinka2]

Fantastic ideas, 45 years in the toolroom and never dreamed of that!!! Learn something every day, thanks Joe!!

[@joepie221]

Nobody thinks an expanding arbor can be used on a blind hole. It a simple solution.

[@kmcwhq]

Been at the Job Shop game for 36 years. Made expansion arbors many times. Some things here have not thought of before. Absorbed, filed away for future ref. You CAN learn something new every day. Thank you very much for your generous share of cleverness.

[@joepie221]

Glad to do it.

[@kendonahve924]

Thank you Joe. Do you ever consider how you, with the aid of this media, are adding to knowledge and capability worldwide ? So generous!

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I would like to think these help.

[@horneygeorgeforge7079]

thanks to your cool ideas ! they make this novice/wanna-be newbie machinist. think more outside of the box. thank you for sharing! here is a idea my little brain came up with for a machinist jack, the 1/2 fine thread bolt i used to make the jack, I turned a concave in the face of the head. to receive a 3/4 in ball bearing i had. the ball bearing i ground off about 30% flat spot in it. I thought about using a magnet to keep them together, but i found a small dab or oil or grease works wonders too. thanks again!

[@joepie221]

I use that concept on my mill vise. Chuck over at "Outside Screwball" sells them. He calls them 'Crazy Balls".

[@mikepaul3959]

As always, I've learned more from your 15 minute video than I ever do watching an hour of the other guy's machines go round and round. Your videos are always informative. Thank you.

[@bid6413]

Joe, I so appreciate the creativity you bring to solving challenging jobs. Your positive, upbeat approach must reflect your approach to life overall. Thanks for sharing your ideas, and even more for sharing your attitude.

[@joepie221]

Thank you. I love a good challenge.

[@bcbloc02]

For thin items needing accurate work I like to use heat shrink fits on solid arbors so there is no distortion. Lots of good info in this video on expansion arbors, thanks for sharing the tips and tricks.

[@ChrisB257]

Another good one Joe - in particular the "O" ring trick. Your close up video these days just gets better and better. Thank you.

[@kiaypp]

I've never even thought about making these until now. Thank you ever so much, great video!

[@tweachison]

Outstanding as usual. I watch all your videos but every time I do so I ask myself, why is he not wearing a cape? Seriously dude, great stuff. Thanks for making the effort to share.

[@joepie221]

I'll look into the cape. I like it.

[@ChestnutForge]

On a job today I was asked to make a removable fence to set on top of a brick wall. The builder had inset pvc to slide something in but did not know how to keep water out AND be removable. Guess what crossed my mind. I have several months before he needs them so I will be playing with this design as well as an offset bushing for misaligned pipe. Love your techniques.

[@joepie221]

Now that you've seen it, I'll bet you solve your problem. Good luck.

[@janvanruth3485]

this format is ideal, concise useful tips that are easily recovered from the youtube library if you should forget about them

[@glennfelpel9785]

Amazing and well done. I was just right now having a problem making plastic fittings for a job. You are correct, I was using an exhaust pipe expansion tool to hold the fittings but the forces were breaking the plastic. Also, it looks like the rubber O-rings will increase the friction for holding over the friction of the steel. Very much appreciated and it comes at such a good time. Thank you, helped me out very much. :-)

[@deanneumann8594]

Last night I was trying to work out how I'm going to hold thin wall parts without a through hole, and I remembered that you had a video about expansions arbors years ago so I thought I'd rewatch that video. While searching I found "expansions arbors - no through hole, no problem". Perfect! Squeeze O-rings so they expand! Thanks Joe! - Happy Hobbyist

[@harleychesney7453]

I just got a co-op working in my first machine shop. I am so excited to have a Chanel like this to help me solve problems. Love your videos!

[@joepie221]

Thank you. Shoot me a question if you hit an obstacle.

[@TheDkirk4]

You, sir, are indeed a Sneaky Machinist! Hats off!! Thanks!

[@joepie221]

Beware the sneaky !

[@ianpendlebury3704]

The O-ring arbour is very clever - I can think of several uses for the principle / idea already. Thanks for all of your videos .

[@jamesbaker6469]

So the technical content is excellent. But I must say the narrator and his sound effects (whistling, etc.) are AWESOME! Thanks for posting…

[@gleonard1850]

Hey Mr Pi, every time I run into a problem with a setup or just a general question about machining I know I can rely on you and your vids for the answer. I just want to thank you for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge with us hobby types. The insight I have gained from your vids is priceless. Again Thanks

[@joepie221]

Thanks for watching. Glad to help.

[@PatrickWeed465555]

Joe, I've been a tool maker for 20+ years. I always love learning things in the trade and your videos are excellent! Thanks for the tips . Keep up the great work! Really enjoy these videos.

[@billythebake]

Is there a way to "like" this video twice? A few dozen times? Joe, that's how useful some of your tips are! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Mike-sp7ru]

I have never thought of the o-ring, but then again I'm a new guy. Thanks so much for All the solutions to challenges in the shop you offer.

[@joepie221]

Glad to do it. Been at this full time 6 days a week for 40+ years. I've had my fair share of challenges. Thanks for watching.

[@michaelmarks8954]

These are my favorite types of videos (work arounds) seems so easy but the thought put into gadgets to help you get things done that's the magic. Thanks Mike

[@drpipe]

As usual Joe .. Great content and so down to earth with your approach of " No problems, just solutions to those problems" fantastic thanks for sharing.

[@joandar1]

Hello from John, Australia. I just subd after watching this vid. I use many of the ways you show here for work holding. I did learn from you some new ideas. Good for all watching! Cheers from John.

[@joepie221]

Greetings from Austin Texas John. Thanks for subbing.

[@johnpease3707]

Thanks for these brilliant techniques, not only clever ideas but simple to produce. Keep up the good work.

[@BensWorkshop]

Great tips. One of the interesting thing about great tips is how obvious they seem after you have been told, as opposed to before when how to do a job can be a real conundrum.

[@joepie221]

Thats very true.

[@jossfitzsimons]

Great. I'll go the double O ring with a screw operation from either end and a gentle conical slope. Thanks again Joe. You are a very generous person.

[@joepie221]

My pleasure.

[@motormaker]

Very clever Joe Pi. I've never seen the reverse draw bolts for blind holes. I will most assuredly be using that one. Good stuff as usual.

[@mattinkel7342]

Great tip about expanding the arbour then machining to required dimension.. great videos

[@erichill5208]

Your decades of experience and clear explanation with showing your specialty tools are very helpful to someone like me who is just learning lathe work for hobby use. Thanks very much

[@jacquespats2128]

Agree Eric. its easy to make videos to show you how to do things, they all good but not as good as someone who not just shows and explains how to, but also explain the "what will happen" if you do it that or this way and the reasons behind. Joe P. is the perfect metal shop teacher👍thanx Joe

[@timmer9lives]

That was great Joe. Very, Very clever design of the O-ring arbor. Thanks for posting these tips.

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Thanks Joe. I remember watching this and then trying to find it (unsuccessfully) when I needed to make an expansion arbor and ended up making a pin chuck. Now I've found it again I will add the o ring arbor to my toolbox.

[@joepie221]

Good luck.

[@JB-kw4ug]

It amazes me the innovative ideas you come up with! This one goes into my permanent library of machinist tips. Thanks for the video & keep them cummin! JB (San Diego).

[@jameslezak7882]

Hey Joe! Another great vid! I've been a machinist for 50 years. First 5 yrs in a production setting, the next 20 in a seat of the pants flying in the dark, mom and pop job shop. Loved it! Needed better pay and bennies so moved up to stop tier job shop, 20 more years passed. I've been retired for 2 yrs, have a nice home shop. I thought I'd seen pretty much the best of the best. I know I would have enjoyed working around you. Like I saw earlier in one of your replies, everyone has a different take on machining solutions. I did a bit of mentoring over the years and some of the best ideas were from young guys new to this trade. This expandable arbor vid brought back a lot of memories when I was struggling with thin plastic and brass parts. Thanks for bringing them back. Great vids! Take care from another good ole Texas boy!

[@joepie221]

Thanks for the comment.

[@Vinwelder]

In my opinion the best video on KZbin for expanding arbors! Both are great & very easy designs!👌

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@Zorgoban]

Incredible. And you're offering all that kind of experience for free on KZbin.

[@BluesDoctor]

Another good one Joe. The opposite access for blind hole was genius insight.

[@joepie221]

Born of necessity. Thanks.

[@MrPragmaticLee]

Thanks Joe - been working with some thin wall tubing for air whistles and your first style expansion arbor will be just what the dr ordered to keep from crushing it in the chuck jaws.

[@robertoswalt319]

Joe, I have watched this video a couple of times over the past couple of years and just watched it again because I am going to need to make a couple and wanted to make sure I got it right the first time. Thanks for the great content and your great attitude.

[@EDUTAMARIU]

Joe keep it up! Straight up machining to the point, always learning something! Thanks!!!!

[@oleaagesen2155]

That o-ring arbor - pure gold again! You solved a repair problem again. A great many thanks from the happy amateur.

[@charruauno386]

Mr. Pieczynski you never stop amusing me, have a nice day.

[@trackie1957]

These things are very handy. First time I saw arbors like this we were using pipe thread plugs to do the expanding. Not as much radial expansion, but they worked well. As is the case with a collet, the expansion makes the arbor conical, so the better fit of the arbor to the part before expansion, the better. I've also used arbors that use an end cap to trap the part by its ends instead of expanding. Again, the closer the fit of the arbor to the part, the better for concentricity.

[@johnspargo5876]

Another excellent piece of Pie! Thanks from John Spargo in Cape Town

[@wallbawden5511]

Joe there is or seams no limit to your knowledge i have to keep watching and rewatching to get all of the tips and tricks you use thanks for shearing this knowledge

[@joepie221]

I appreciate that!

[@jeffiscool1805]

That o-ring idea is soooooooo much easier than what I have been doing. Thankyou. Kilroy loves you. Funny

[@neopolythe]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and please continue to do so. Its changing my life for the better.

[@markcostello5118]

Best tip I've seen in a couple of months.

[@billrichardson4873]

Thank you Joe, I have been working with plastic some lately and distorting it more than acceptable, this will solve that problem. Your a wealth of knowledge.

[@dcw56]

Great vid, Joe. I've made the regular slotted type for a number of jobs, but had never thought of the o-ring type. Great tip! Taught this old dog a new trick. Thanks much!

[@ralfb8869]

Fantastic idea thanks for sharing, I can see quite a few jobs where this will come in handy.

[@htral]

Heard of the O Ring arbor before but the reversible aspect is a cool addition!

[@davidvigneux6929]

This one was a little pearl! Like all the others really... Joe, you're a class act!

[@garyperry4332]

Oh how I wish you were on KZbin 40 years ago when I first started machine work. Really enjoying all the tricks that you’ve shown!!

[@davewright3088]

Many thanks for the work you do to bring us 'newbies' along. O-Rings are great, but sometimes misunderstood. Many times you will hear somebody say "compress the o-ring". But what you know, and maybe would be helpful to make a point of whenever the topic comes up is this: Rubber is not compressible, it is deformable. I think you alluded to this once when you were cutting an o-ring groove... The volume occupied by the rubber remains constant as the shape changes. So, that is why you can apply some serious pressure to the ID of a part with something that most folks would call squishy...

[@joepie221]

These can be very strong when applied correctly.

[@RGSABloke]

Simple brilliant idea, my physics teacher would remind us that rubber 'displaces' it doesn't 'compress', and that's guess is how this technique works. Thanks for sharing Joe. Kindest regards. Another Joe.

[@garycullen1241]

Very clever! I could have used this a lot of times but I know it now. Thank you, Love your videos. I am self taught and wish I had the internet 40 years ago

[@billtabiner8925]

What a brilliant solution to an tricky problem many thanks I will use this. just shows how inventive one can be when your back is against the wall

[@joepie221]

I do some of my best work when someone says it can't be done.

[@jimnicholson4509]

Mate there's no doubt about you, just brilliant. Many many thanks. Jim.

[@joepie221]

Thanks Jim.

[@JohnBare747]

Thanks Joe as it turns out I just today needed exactly this type of solution was trying to figure how in the heck I was going to hold the thing and well now I will just make a Joe Pie Special and continue along like I knew wast I was doing all along. Thanks again Joe.

[@mickdanks6836]

Thanks Joe, brilliant! I'm in the UK and been a subscriber for sometime. Every video is explained well, stimulating and a "lightbulb" moment for me. Please keep them coming

[@deand8070]

I love these versions of expanding arbours. I have no experience at all with machining, but bought a mini lathe last year and have been looking for projects to try and make ( mostly, all I've made is a mess, but I'm still enjoying it). This has become my new project for February.

[@Smallathe]

Wonderful tool and idea!!! I'll make one this friday... Thanks for sharing!

[@joell439]

Everything you show us definitely stimulates my thoughts. Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us your endless tricks and solutions.

[@bikefarmtaiwan1800]

O-ring arbor- inspiring :)That is a very cool and useful idea Joe. Thank you very much for sharing so much of your experience.

[@billyharrison4126]

Joe my friend, if you ever set up shop in the North East of England, I wanna come by and just learn the stuff you forgot, because it will surely amount to more than most would know. Once again thankyou for putting across years of experience in mere moments.

[@joepie221]

Thank you sir. Nice compliment.

[@johngilmore1968]

loved this on e Joe. Your skills and explanations are great. I think it is a very special kind of person to show tricks and tips that offer simple solutions to problems that I would spend all day trying to make work .. I will now find a way to use up some of my odd ball plastics and hold them so they are useful not all squashed up.. Nice work.

[@bobw7707]

Awesome video, Joe. I breathed a sigh of relief when you picked that bit of fuzz off the o-ring. I think I'll sleep better now tonight... Ha......

[@joepie221]

I can't believe I didn't do it sooner. It made me nuts after I watched the clip too.

[@a1woody11]

Knew of the expansion but never used a undercut which is to the advantage of expansion and never used the o-rings thanks for the sugustion keep uo the good videos Joe 72

[@Ujeb08]

I have used several expansion mandrels before but I like that O-ring deformation method for flimsy materials. Thanks Joe!

[@michaelcops638]

Hi Joe. Great video as usual. I needed a backstop for one of my 3C collets. Unfortunately they are all different internal diameters because they have originated from different manufacturers. So the expanding arbor I made for one of the collets with great precision did not fit some of the other collets. I really did not want to spend the time replicating my design. Your design is much simpler and quick to make so suits my application perfectly. In fact the O ring style might work even better since it will accommodate internal collet diameters of different sizes with just one device. Many thanks.

[@garywalters4286]

Joe I love all your little tips on doing tough jobs.

[@themikebray]

Great ideas! The blind hole variety will be a life saver, thanks Joe!

[@louisroy9348]

Good afternoon Joe, the o-ring arbor is brilliant. I have a job that I have been struggling with and will try it out first thing Monday. Regards,

[@workshop_from_nothing]

yep the same i was working on a 1.25mm wall tube about 120mm long and having problems but i think this is the ticket to get the thing over the line

[@BillyTpower]

awesome idea about using the threaded cap to hold a part with a blind end. Now that I think about it, I have a set of mechanics tailpipe expanders that work on the principle... thanks again Joe..

[@joepie221]

The do exert a lot of pressure.

[@raysub8905]

Thanks for passing on your knowledge and experience. So simple but so useful. Great addition to the tooling and thanks again👍

[@TheoTHERON_SA]

Thank you SO much for these tips. For others in the trade it might be old news, but I am learning every day. ESPECIALLY the tip of putting some pressure on the bolt first before turning the final OD. That is just brilliant. I am so glad I came across your site and subscribed! All the best for 2022 Mr. Pie!!

[@cpcoark]

Joe, All I can say is you never cease to amaze me. :-)

[@scottthornton9237]

This one needs 10 or 12 "Thumbs UP" buttons! Thanks for this Joe. I now know what my next shop made kit project is. I will definitely be making a series set of both types! AWESOME video and GREAT help! Thanks Joe!

[@christurley391]

I used urethane stripper bushings from the punch press. However I like the o-rings better. Nice tip Joe

[@creamshop]

That is Brilliant!!, just made me a more powerful machinist, wish i could give him 2 thumbs up, thanks from Canada !

[@joepie221]

Glad it helped.

[@georgeboaru5935]

I have to say, great idea and thoroughly presented. Many thanks, sir!

[@michaelschnock3998]

Thanks again Joe, you saved my day . i tried to mount a 32 " Display to a wall in our guestroom-- not a prob ?-- of course it was one, there were no VESA mount holes (holes were there but not threaded :( ) in the back of the Display.- darn. Everything else was already mounted, swing-arm to the wall, power-outlet etc etc . and than i remembered the "last" expansion plug you showed, ran down into my shop, made 4 of these and finished the job. i really appreciate your knowledge and also your generous way of sharing it with us. rgds and all the best . michael

[@joemiller5110]

Thanks for the expanding arbor tips. Keep the videos coming Joe! Thanks

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

joe , i was thinking your screw cutting method would may work really well on older lathes with worn out half nuts as it would use the unworn side & eliminate the engagement problems one has when a step is worn on the half nuts , i used to use an old 17" harrison lathe that the nuts were so worn you had to hold the engagement lever up with your hand ! cheers from perth , australia .

[@joepie221]

Good point.

[@lenpowell547]

Saved the day! We machine polycarbonate tubing and have been looking into ways to hold it when facing the cut ends. The Idea of an 'O' ring id great. I just finished making one from solid PVC rod and tubing for the sleeves. It works great! Thanks Joe for this tip!

[@joepie221]

I thought up the o'ring arbor many years ago on a clear acrylic tube job. It was the only thing that would not scratch the part or break it while holding it securely. I hope it works for you.

[@jamesrlynch3]

Joe, your ingenuity always amazes and teaches me. Many thanks.

[@joepie221]

Thanks for watching.

[@michaelfiller3452]

Reminds of the expanding rubber arbors for oscillating spindle sanders. In that case the "work pieces" are paper tubes with grit.

[@vincentbernolin1943]

Amazing ! I cannot thank you enough for sharing this in addition with a so clear and valuable manner !

[@joepie221]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Hunter333444]

Nice i really liked the o ring idea when you disassembled it I was wondering why you have a sleeve but ahhh multiple O-rings nice idea Great as always thanks Joe

[@Teklectic]

I actually had a need for one of these today and ended up making one. I had to cut a thread on the end of a pipe that didn't fit through my headstock and was too long to cut on the other end with a steady rest. My method was to turn a 60⁰ taper on a random socket head cap screw I had laying around, turn a slug to a slip fit in my part, drill a clearance hole through the slug, taper the end and cut 3 ways on the bandsaw. I just tightened a nut on the cap screw and then with the help of the steady rest I was able to cut my thread!

[@joepie221]

Once you see the concept, the variations and applications open up a lot of doors.

[@dmackintosh9544]

Great stuff Joe, I did some metal work in school 40 years ago, recently bought a small 14" lathe, been watching your videos avidly, my horizons are expanded more and more, keep it up, great work. Donald From Scotland

[@garyreider7795]

That's the slickest use of O-rings that i have even seen. Solved my problems