Oh heck it booted

< > You don't cut it you grind it! If done on a lathe you turn the rubbe < > part and run a high speed grinder against it. It's insures it will b < > concentric and gives a smooth surface. < < In the workshops I've seen where it's handled, it's usually done with a < very sharp tool with a very acute cutting angle (I've seen razor blades < mounted in a holder for this) and lubricated with glycerine. You can if you have the right tools. Grinding is easier for most to do. I make TU58 drive wheels using thickwall rubber tube or tygon and mount the assembled result on an old tu58 motor and "grind" on a bench grinder. I get a good round smooth surface, minimal setup. The hub used is the one with the tire turned to goo, with the goo removed. < For some jobs, I've seen a tubular cutter (rather like a cork borer) < mounted in the tailstock and pressed into the workpiece, similarly < lubricated with glycerine. For general shapes its ok, the deformation affects accuracy. We used that to get the general shape (tubes or plugs) and then mounted them and did final grind. It was what the chief engineer wanted. Generally the size of the drive roller is allowed considerable latitude but roundness is desirable. Allison