Spindle and tool holder refinisher

Apparatus for refinishing a spindle bore of a machine tool, comprising:

• a) a head portion defining three outwardly extending, tapered segments;
• b) each segment including a curved tapered surface which is related to the taper of said spindle bore;
• c) said curved surfaces of said segments collectively defining a rotational surface that conforms to said spindle bore taper;
• d) each of said curved tapered surfaces receiving an abrasive, such that when said refinishing head is inserted into said spindle bore, said abrasive on said tapered surfaces abrasively engage said spindle bore surface so that rotation of said head abrades said spindle bore surface;
• e) said abrasive comprises flexible abrasive strips which are adhesively secured to said curved tapered surfaces whereby said abrasive strips closely conform to said curved tapered surfaces.

An apparatus for refinishing a tapered shank of a tool holder comprising:

• a) a refinishing head defining three spaced apart tapered segments extending between inner and outer annular portions;
• b) each tapered segment defining a curved inner taper surface, the configuration of said surface being related to the configuration of said tool holder shank that is to be refinished;
• c) each of said curved tapered surfaces carrying a removable flexible abrasive strip, said strip adhesively secured to and conforming to said associated curved tapered surface;
• e) said taper surfaces configured such that collectively said surfaces confront a taper surface of said tapered tool holder when said tool holder shank is inserted into said refinishing head so that said abrasive strips carried by said segments engage said tapered surface of said tool holder so that rotation of said refinishing head abrades said tapered surface of said tool holder.

A method for refinishing a machine tool component having a tapered surface, comprising:

• a) providing a refinishing head having three tapered segments, each segment having a segment surface carrying an abrasive, said segment surfaces arranged to conform to the tapered surface of said machine tool to be refinished;
• b) engaging said segments with the tapered surface of machine tool to be refinished;
• c) rotating said refinishing head while said head engages said machine tool component so that said abrasives abrades the tapered surface of said machine tool;
• d) disengaging said head from said machine tool component and inspecting said abrasives for witness lines in order to determine whether said machine tool component requires further refinishing;
• e) if said machine tool component needs further refinishing, reengaging said head with said machine tool component and again rotating said head to abrade the surface of said machine tool component.