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]

Make something square....

[veekry9]

A test trinket,tolerances of +/-.003" ,in various alloys.
The nicest one I've seen was on the desk of the pres's office in chromolly,heatreated and ground,+/-0.0005".
Another was in hardened 52100,32 rms,CBN tooling,beautiful homogeneous finish.

[Mueller]

Turners Cube made on a lathe.


http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCTurnersCube.html

[Series9]

Turners Cube made on a lathe.


http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCTurnersCube.html

I read all of that. Pretty cool stuff and certainly good training.

Without the use of a mill, chucking up a square piece in a 3-jaw chuck looks like a challenge.

[Mueller]

Turners Cube made on a lathe.


http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCTurnersCube.html

I read all of that. Pretty cool stuff and certainly good training.

Without the use of a mill, chucking up a square piece in a 3-jaw chuck looks like a challenge.

Invest in a 4 jaw chuck, each jaw is independent so you can dial it within .0005" if you have the tools and patience.

[Series9]

Let's start with the basics.

What's the turning speed for various metals and other media?

How do I set the correct tool height?

[mbseto]

Get a copy of Machinery's Handbook. It's the standard text for speeds and feeds and looks impressive on your bookshelf. If you have a half-price bookstore nearby, they often have a copy.

[ChrisFoley]

Let's start with the basics.

What's the turning speed for various metals and other media?

How do I set the correct tool height?

Speed is dependent on diameter in addition to material. Surface feet per minute (at the tool) is the basis for selecting the correct rpm.
Generally, Aluminum under 1 1/2 inches can be spun at 1000 rpm or faster in most cases. Steel should be below 500 rpm for anything over 3/4 inch.
Carbide tools accept higher rpm than Cobalt steel. Cobalt tools can be run a little faster than High Speed Steel. Ie., they will operate at higher temperatures without ruining the tool.
Rule of thumb with steels, if the chips turn straw or amber color your at the max rpm. If they turn blue, slow the rpm down.
If a high speed steel tool turns color you are going too fast and ruining the cutting edge quickly.

Use a feed rate that gives a good surface appearance without taking too long to reach the other end. That will usually be around .005" per revolution, plus or minus, depending on the specific cut.
Depending on the equipment and the specific tool shape, you can run at cutting depths of .010" to .050". Deeper cuts will lose some accuracy, so best to leave a small cut for the last passes.
The crossfeed dial measures change in diameter, so turn the dial in 50 for a cutting depth of .025".

To lubricate aluminum, add 50% kerosene to your cutting oil.
You want some smoking of your cutting fluid to occur.
That usually indicates a good temperature for cutting.

The tool needs to be very close to the centerline, or just slightly above (< .060") in many cases.

[Mueller]

Let's start with the basics.

What's the turning speed for various metals and other media?

How do I set the correct tool height?

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/02/10/tur...peeds-g-wizard/

^I'm a fan of the GWizard above, I use it for my CNC mill once in a while.

Nothing wrong with the Machinist Handbook as well, but sometimes it is nice to just punch in numbers and get a result to start off with.

I'd learn with the standard dials, but if you really want to get jobs done quicker and with a little bit less chance of messing up I'd recommend a DRO (digital read out)

http://www.dropros.com/
and
http://www.acu-rite.com/index.html


We have been using the Acu-Rites with good results when the shops don't want the extra expensive of the normally used Magnescale DRO units.

[Series9]

Thanks, Chris and Mike.

[ConeDodger]

Turners Cube made on a lathe.


http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCTurnersCube.html

I read all of that. Pretty cool stuff and certainly good training.

Without the use of a mill, chucking up a square piece in a 3-jaw chuck looks like a challenge.

Invest in a 4 jaw chuck, each jaw is independent so you can dial it within .0005" if you have the tools and patience.

Mike,
He should make 5 lug conversion hats for front rotors... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[toolguy]

You can make anything you put your mind to. . .
My Chevy V8, most from scratch.
Crank took 2 weeks, cam 1 week. . both from solid round stock . the
roller rockers were the hardest because I needed 16 identical. .

[914bub]

You can make anything you put your mind to. . .
My Chevy V8, most from scratch.
Crank took 2 weeks, cam 1 week. . both from solid round stock . the
roller rockers were the hardest because I needed 16 identical. .

That's impressive!

[NeunEinVier]

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

A pistol silencer, so you can be James Bond?

[Kansas 914]

You can make anything you put your mind to. . .
My Chevy V8, most from scratch.
Crank took 2 weeks, cam 1 week. . both from solid round stock . the
roller rockers were the hardest because I needed 16 identical. .

That's impressive!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Just WOW!

[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.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


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!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Series9]

I think I'll be getting this set:

[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!

[veekry9]

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/prod...20Tools%20Lathe

http://www.yellowpages.com/orlando-fl/mach...hop-tool-supply


These are some basic tools to get started,do try to be a csob as a money pit is right in front of you.
Planning is everything,make your plan,work your plan,plan to make a profit.
A wee Scotsman told us that in '68,the instructor of the course,of WW2 machining experience.
Know what you are doing before you start making chips,or you'll make chips of gold.
Much to learn of turning,there is.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za0t2Rfjewg

I'm guessing the lathe has no toolpost holders,which is why you're looking to purchase a set.
You won't need a large capacity,3/4" will suffice.
(edit)I see in the photo up top,the post you have will do fine for your application.
The quickchange holders are for production speed and repeatability,can be useful for toolroom applications,setup speed.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

btw,
If your sump smells like shit,it is because there is shit in it.
You'll want to keep it as clean as a toilet bowl,at minimum.
An extreme biohazard,keep it off your skin,eyes,mouth.
Steph and staph out of the sump.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrotizing_fasciitis
http://fluids.doallsawing.org/products_det...roduct=DOALL014
http://www.zepcommercial.com/product/Heavy...itrus-Degreaser