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?

[r_towle]

Bronze suspension bushings.

Make a mount for a 911 head to spin the head on the main body of the lathe and then you can resurface heads.....probably not a beginner thing to do, but if you have some junk heads it might be good to learn how to make a decent jig.

Pedal cluster bushings.

[Series9]

Bronze suspension bushings.

Make a mount for a 911 head to spin the head on the main body of the lathe and then you can resurface heads.....probably not a beginner thing to do, but if you have some junk heads it might be good to learn how to make a decent jig.

Pedal cluster bushings.

Thanks for the input.

As far as surfacing heads is concerned, that is advanced,professional-level machine work. I am going to have to get some experience first.

Suspension bushings and pedal bushings are already readily available, but would make good practice projects.

[r_towle]

Practice projects to get a feel for it.
Learn how to be precise and how much you can cut.

It's easy to start with store bought bushings from the hardware store and cut them from there, for instance the side shifter rear bushing...that is store bought, then turned to fit the exact need.
It wastes less material also.

[Series9]

Practice projects to get a feel for it.
Learn how to be precise and how much you can cut.

It's easy to start with store bought bushings from the hardware store and cut them from there, for instance the side shifter rear bushing...that is store bought, then turned to fit the exact need.
It wastes less material also.

Good advice. Those plastic rear shift bushings all fit like shit. I'm definitely doing some of those in brass.

[r_towle]

Look for tephlon impregnated bronze, not brass.
Grainier has them....just find one that needs material removed, not added.

[jmill]

That's a pretty big lathe for making fairly small bushings. Drill bits and reamers aren't cheap either. That sucker looks like it was made to cut 3 feet of threads. Nice score.

[pete000]

Nice unit, we have the same one in our shop at work. Pretty easy to run, I use it from time to time on stuff...Enjoy !

[toolguy]

Find an old retired machinist to teach you how to first-
1. grind cutter edges
2. set up a cutter in the toolpost at correct height and angles. . that's a 4 way toolpost and requires shimming cutters to correct height
3. show you the correct chuck rpm speed and correct cutter feed speed. The tendency is to turn too fast.
4. after all those, start on PVC or wood. . .
5 remember no matter how fast you think your reactions, hands and fingers are,
the chuck is always faster and a lot stronger.

It's not rocket science but it's easy to hurt yourself badly. . You might want to start
by positioning the machine and leveling the bed. Then make sure the headstock is parallel and perpendicular to the bed and center of tailstock. Determine the off center runout of the chuck. .Those Chinese chucks are usually spec'ed at .003 off center as the normal limit when new . If not set up properly, no matter what you do, your finished project will have taper and be out of square and off center.

[porschetub]

Find an old retired machinist to teach you how to first-
1. grind cutter edges
2. set up a cutter in the toolpost at correct height and angles. . that's a 4 way toolpost and requires shimming cutters to correct height
3. show you the correct chuck rpm speed and correct cutter feed speed. The tendency is to turn too fast.
4. after all those, start on PVC or wood. . .
5 remember no matter how fast you think your reactions, hands and fingers are,
the chuck is always faster and a lot stronger.

It's not rocket science but it's easy to hurt yourself badly. . You might want to start
by positioning the machine and leveling the bed. Then make sure the headstock is parallel and perpendicular to the bed and center of tailstock. Determine the off center runout of the chuck. .Those Chinese chucks are usually spec'ed at .003 off center as the normal limit when new . If not set up properly, no matter what you do, your finished project will have taper and be out of square and off center.

There chucks are rubbish and they pop gears in the drive,good score for light work however,go for it.

[Montreal914]

I practice on the lathe at work and did some door stop rollers out of aluminum. Yes they are available but I figured the machine is there why not try it. Simple part.

[veekry9]

Find an old retired machinist to teach you how to first-
1. grind cutter edges
2. set up a cutter in the toolpost at correct height and angles. . that's a 4 way toolpost and requires shimming cutters to correct height
3. show you the correct chuck rpm speed and correct cutter feed speed. The tendency is to turn too fast.
4. after all those, start on PVC or wood. . .
5 remember no matter how fast you think your reactions, hands and fingers are,
the chuck is always faster and a lot stronger.

It's not rocket science but it's easy to hurt yourself badly. . You might want to start
by positioning the machine and leveling the bed. Then make sure the headstock is parallel and perpendicular to the bed and center of tailstock. Determine the off center runout of the chuck. .Those Chinese chucks are usually spec'ed at .003 off center as the normal limit when new . If not set up properly, no matter what you do, your finished project will have taper and be out of square and off center.

2nd that,safety 1st.
An intro course at a local school will get you up to speed on the operation of lathes,the inet is a fount of info.
Loss of body appendages is a distinct possibility if not properly trained.
Due diligence is the primary impetus and fear of agony the second.
It's a machine,and will not ask if you are competent,just prove if you are not,instantly.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfcukAV_Zhk


A simple op,one that requires practice to perform correctly and accurately to a honing tolerance.
The Wright brothers machined their engines on a lathe far cruder than the one you have there.
An expert tuneup of the hard parts is likely in order if the hours are beyond 20K.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Taylor_(mechanic)

(edit)oh yeah,keep it spotless clean,do not spit in the sump.

/

[Mark Henry]

I agree with all of the above, start small projects that at not important till you get the feel for it. Lots of on-line resources, it's a bigger learning curve than you think.
Don't forget the damn key in the chuck (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[thieuster]

I agree with all of the above: especially those about safety. Make sure that you wear proper clothing when operating this machine. Loose clothing can be deadly (around your neck) when picked up by the machine. Same goes for long hair, a necklace etc.

A good medium to start with is Teflon/Teflon. Get yourself a few chunks of that stuff and start with that. Teflon is quite soft so it will not affect your cutters too much.

One of the first things I did on a lathe was a knob for my Triumph's gear lever. First a specimen made from teflon, the second one from a alloy billet.

Menno

[barefoot]

Get some Delrin or brass and make some of the rear trunk rollers for the torsion bars.

[bulitt]

And watch those carbide bits. When they shatter they are like shrapnel- Safety glasses at all times! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[ThePaintedMan]

Hey Joe! How bout a present or Christmas ornament for the new beh-beh? Congrats BTW Dad!

[cary]

Nice .............. Beautiful Machine
I bought a 1930's belt driven version to check for out of round and cleaning up burrs. Not a clue on how to use it.

[timothy_nd28]

Chrome bezel gauge rings would be cool.

[Series9]

Wow!

Thanks for all the responses.

I'll try to post updates as I figure this thing out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)