Machining damper and method of using same

A dampening apparatus for dampening vibrations of a workpiece during machining, the dampening apparatus having a dampener, a support to support and place the dampener in abutting vibration absorbing contact with the workpiece, and a dampener fixture for holding the dampener fixed relative to the workpiece. A pressure adjusting apparatus to adjust contact pressure between the dampener and the workpiece is preferably included. The dampener may further include a number of dampening rods supported by the plate at first ends of the rods and which in turn support dampening elements at distal second ends of the rods. The dampening elements may be lugs made of a resilient material such as rubber and the lugs may have flat surfaces for being placed in abutting vibration absorbing contact with the workpiece. The invention also includes a method of machining a thin web of a workpiece having an annular inner hub connected to a concentric annular outer rim by the thin web using the dampener. The preferred method includes adjusting the dampener to deflect the center of the web a predetermined amount before machining.