I was given a Metal Lathe., Help me choose projects. Options

[Series9]

So, I was given a lathe that had electrical problems.

I sorted those problems, and I am now looking for some simple projects so I can learn the machine.

My first thought is to turn some clutch pulleys out of brass. Do you have other suggestions?

[veekry9]

You are in the fla machine belt,supporting nasa and have experts all around you.
Take advantage and prepare yourself accordingly,this is not an overnite,instant gratification endeavor.
I have seen and heard of too many horrible industrial accidents and have become skeptical of selfproclaimed 'gurus'.
Grenade training in the military is defined by strict protocols,so too should be the instruction and manual study of your new lathe.
Bone up on the tech,it's a tool of great versatility with which you can test yourself to get good at.
Getting great at it requires decades of practice and application.
The machine you have for cheap must be supported by the acquiring of tools of telemetry,500$ basically to start.
Electric drills and saws may be your experience to date,and if so,a period of training is needed,because it's the right thing to do.
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Broaching allen sockets in titanium bolts on a manual lathe,circa 1981,<10pcs.

(edit)
Come to think of it,an ad for a part time machinist of skill may be an alternative way to part cost in labor and time.
Hire a machinist to make your swingarm bearing barrel or front upright to carry a driven axle!
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[Series9]

The machine you have for cheap must be supported by the acquiring of tools of telemetry,500$ basically to start.
Electric drills and saws may be your experience to date,and if so,a period of training is needed,because it's the right thing to do.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This is all excellent advice. Trust me, it is clear to me that this could be a very dangerous machine. It's also clear that I have almost everything to learn.

[Mueller]

The machine you have for cheap must be supported by the acquiring of tools of telemetry,500$ basically to start.
Electric drills and saws may be your experience to date,and if so,a period of training is needed,because it's the right thing to do.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This is all excellent advice. Trust me, it is clear to me that this could be a very dangerous machine. It's also clear that I have almost everything to learn.

No gloves, no long hair (female grad student died this way a few years ago at one of the universities) , long sleeves also a bad idea.

Don't leave key in chuck and turn on lathe....I did this before, luckily the key went straight up in the air and not into my face...it did almost land on the hood of my car!

Don't be tempted to put a chuck into a chuck! Yes, people have done it!

[Series9]

Don't be tempted to put a chuck into a chuck! Yes, people have done it!

Dammit, it came with a small chuck and I thought that was how it was used.

I figured out how to remove the 6" chuck and it's attached by 3 cam-locks. The small chuck has a shaft with threads on the rear portion, so it appears the small one is for another type of lathe.

I have some tools. I'll take pictures and ask for more advice.

[zambezi]

Don't be tempted to put a chuck into a chuck! Yes, people have done it!

Dammit, it came with a small chuck and I thought that was how it was used.

I figured out how to remove the 6" chuck and it's attached by 3 cam-locks. The small chuck has a shaft with threads on the rear portion, so it appears the small one is for another type of lathe.

I have some tools. I'll take pictures and ask for more advice.

Maybe the small chuck is for the tail stock for drilling holes. That is how ours is done.