considering a lathe but so unsure

[gaz1]

thanks for all the replys

as im a newbie to lathes im now wondering wheres best to start and what should i be watching

now i like free stuff the most and im wondering if you guys can point me in the right direction

I am aware of some safety aspect with lathes no loose clothing near them, always stop the machine before engaging gears otherwise you chew gears up

ive read the myford ml4 booklet that was supplied with the machine already

the other thing id like to do is get a tray ready for it check its oiled and other stuff but im not sure where to start on some so some pointers would be appreciated

 

[doubleboost]

Find yourself a copy of this book
It is a great starting point
The Amateur's Lathe-Lawrence H. Sparey
It is in current print should be about £8

 

[roofman]

also make youtube your best friend,be amazed what you can learn just by watching ordinary lads playing with there machines (keep it clean) and its the lingo 1st that you need so when your looking at buying you can asks questions relating to bits you know...goodluck and we,ll do our best to help here

 

[CRB]

As @doubleboost says you can learn so much from that book. I have one and, frankly most of what is shown is more than I need to know.

I got an ML7 five years ago, it was not the best, but it was cheap. I have produced 50 pairs of a no longer available part for my van. OK two sales, nearly paid for the material, but they are tremendously versatile machines.

 

[gaz1]

i found this one while researching the book you suggested though some on that forum are saying that book is too techy for the novice

someone in lincoln did the mods to it and was sold for around 400.00



that one uses the m7 lathe parts including the reverse cogs

 

[MattF]

though some on that forum are saying that book is too techy for the novice

They're talking bunkum. Sparey's book should almost be classed as an essential accessory for a lathe, when starting out. Even when you know what you're on with, that book still comes in handy occasionally.

 

[optima21]

I've just ordered a copy of that book, if I the text is too complicated, I can always look at the pretty pictures.. I learnt as I went along and you always learn new things,and youtube is good for that. Even though I've been using my lathe for over 20 years, watching doubleboost's video's has still taught me a few new things. when I got my lathe, three of the books I found most useful were

those were the days before the internet existed and all the educational stuff that is on it now.

My first proper project I made after I got my lathe, was a Stuart 10H engine that I machined from castings just using a small lathe and pillar drill (a couple of years before I got a milling machine). My previous experience with lathework was O level metalwork at school.

 

[gaz1]

optima21 i could always pop over for a natter as your close and get some pointers from you and some instructions from you if you dont mind

then again machine is near you as well

right then ive found the post to what i had mentioned

http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=46516

Peter G. Shaw11/04/2011 15:46:19 posted the reference

also been on youtube as well for some vids

 

[MattF]

The best thing to do is chuck up a piece of rod and just have a fiddle with it. If there's owt you're unsure of, you can always ask on here, but between Sparey's book, this forum and pure and simple trial, error and practice, that's the best way you'll find to progress. Asking and reading are always handy, but actually just getting your hand in and doing it is always going to be the most rewarding learning experience.

 

[Screwdriver]

I think you'll be watching out for a three jaw chuck. I like using four jaw for precision work but it's a real chore for any quick jobs. if you use the four jaw, you're going to need a DTI to centre your workpiece. But that's a useable looking piece of kit you've got there and while Myford stuff costs more to buy (more than they are worth tbh) they also tend to sell for good money too!

S.

 

[gaz1]

right on picking this up there was no play at the head stock either pulling or pushing at it there was no play to the left or right on the head stock a little play on the up and down of the head stock

lathe milling operation i couldnt find any play within the moveable base near the head stock or around the bed of it moveable base moves up and down the base no problem the lathe engages the moveable base and turns up and down the lathe

i also asked if the bloke would sell me some cutters just to start me off and i was given 30 cutters including some he said cuts cast iron the red ones

he also remembered it came with a tray so dug it out and handed that over as well

 

[gaz1]

ive ordered my copy of that book as i have looked upon net for it

also i have found this on the net a pdf of the myford ml 1, ml 2, ml 3, ml4

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/4654/6592.pdf

i also found the drummond m type 3 1/2" lathe book as well

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/4890/6629.pdf

 

[MrFluffy]

The only thing thats needed for the sparey book is a large brown stores overcoat, and getting used to talking people in careful clipped tones if you want to emulate its style
I have the original somewhere, its a awesome do more with less guide to getting the most out of a smaller lathe.