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DIY bar grooving setups

54stude

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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
 

Bill G

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

Bill G

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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. :D
 

Bill G

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For those that did not understand my above comment

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