DIY bar grooving setups

[54stude]

I have some .404-.063 harvester bars that I am planning to convert to use on large McCulloch saws, and I am wondering if anyone can share tips on DIY bar grooving setups?

Most of the bar is what I need, but I will be reshaping the last 8” or so of the bars and I will need to create the whole groove.

I have a Bridgeport, so I was thinking I could use a 1/16” slotting saw or 1/16” abrasive wheel and do this work.

Anyone been there and done that?

 

[gorilla]

Great question, I have a cheapo milling machine which couldnt do that job, but I eagerly await the 'how to' on this. The metal is bloody tough, and I would anticipate the whole job will wear your cutters quite significantly. as a bit of a cheapskate I would search for cheap bars to do the job. But I admire your outlook, and wish you luck.

 

[heimannm]

Brian - Is that you or do we have another 54 Studebaker enthusiast in the audience?

Bar Shop (Diversified Industries?) made a machine years ago that used a 12" disc to recut bar grooves. They had the discs in .050. .058. and .063" thicknesses.





Scarr52 made his own similar machine (a lot more sophisticated) to recut grooves after bar repair, etc. You might be able to find some photos with a search.

I have done from very simple groove work with an abrasive disc in a table saw.





It would be much easier and more repeatable if the disc and work surface are horizontal.

Some bars may machine O.K. with the .062" slitting/slotting saw, but I think you will find others are too tough and hard to be machined easily.

Mark

 

[54stude]

Hi Mark, it is indeed me.
Thanks for the information!
Brian

 

[Bill G]

I have (3) Bar Shops now but the wheels are the issue

 

[Bill G]

Brian - Is that you or do we have another 54 Studebaker enthusiast in the audience?

Bar Shop (Diversified Industries?) made a machine years ago that used a 12" disc to recut bar grooves. They had the discs in .050. .058. and .063" thicknesses.

View attachment 435316



Mark

Mark,

I see the dealer tag on your truck. I guess they dropped the first name now.

 

[Bill G]

For those that did not understand my above comment