Buying a Lathe

[GeorgiePorgie]

Say Pete,your a bleedin marvel......that is one good idea.

 

[Pete.]

i did say 4inch tube not bar and no problem with a 5 inch chuck using reverse jaws

Tube/bar/whatever. My parting tool works great for small lathes and the idea has made life easier for plenty of people who have previously struggled with parting - you know, non-professionals, the sort who generally wouldn't be trying to part off 4inch diameter anything.

All the comments I've had on it, with one recent exception, have been entirely positive so I guess I can still feel happy.

 

[brightspark]

Tube/bar/whatever. My parting tool works great for small lathes and the idea has made life easier for plenty of people who have previously struggled with parting - you know, non-professionals, the sort who generally wouldn't be trying to part off 4inch diameter anything.

All the comments I've had on it, with one recent exception, have been entirely positive so I guess I can still feel happy.

look up on old posts i stated making them out of tc blades years ago also used to part wheel rims

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

look up on old posts i stated making them out of tc blades years ago

Well I suppose I will have to give you a as well.

 

[brightspark]

i wasnt criticising all i was saying parting off large diameter tube or bar can be quite daunting . slow speed and feed . get it wrong and the job climbs out of the chuck in slow motion or snaps the parting tool ive done it along with anyone else that has parted anything

 

[graffian]

Theres room on that lathe for a rear toolpost.
They really do make a difference for parting. I
use my cross feed when parting and don't get any chatter.

I like the saw blade idea, in fact so much, I have a half finished
rear toolpost to take a saw blade, I stared it about five year ago,
I must get round to finishing it;-)
do you flaten off the tips?

 

[Punx0r]

The one discussed here is a little bigger, but there's a ton of info on mini lathes here:

http://www.mini-lathe.com/

It includes weaknesses, capability and upgrades/modifications.

It seems they are ok for small/model work.

 

[Pete.]

do you flaten off the tips?

That particular blade had very squaare cut teeth, so worked quite well just with honing the edge. I did grind a small bias in the fron edge to give me a clean part-off though.

I have a worn evolution blade here to make some new tools from which has faceted teeth and a thicker disc. That one I will have to shape the tooth profil but I already have a cheapo ch1nky diamond wheel for that.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Theres room on that lathe for a rear toolpost.

Putting the tool upside down and machine in reverse replicates a rear tool post without the hassle of making a rear toolpost.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

It seems they are ok for small/model work.

In all fainess thats what they were designed for but with their flaws sorted out they can be really good little machines.
The biggest drawback is the motor and torque,however doesn't mean you can't change the motor...with adaption a treadmill motor has got the beef providing you use the motors speed controller with it.

 

[the artfull-codger]

Putting the tool upside down and machine in reverse replicates a rear tool post without the hassle of making a rear toolpost.

Unfortunately you can't do that with a lathe that has a screw on chuck ie myford or boxford,[well you can but not recomended] as the chuck can screw off!! I've been making parting off tools from old circular saw blades for yrs,I allways part off from the rear[ he he] on the myford but from the front on the colchester or the mitchell[but only 'cos I've not got round to making rear tool posts] parting off aka ''the turners nightmare!!] well amateurs anyway!!
slan go fol

 

[marc76]

Putting the tool upside down and machine in reverse replicates a rear tool post without the hassle of making a rear toolpost.

Yes when using carbide that means the hand of tool changes, to left!

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Unfortunately you can't do that with a lathe that has a screw on chuck ie myford or boxford,[well you can but not recomended] as the chuck can screw off!!

This idea was intended for the Mini-Lathe ie the chucks are bolted on the spindle plate

 

[brightspark]

the rear toolpost is generaly only used with a parting off tool carbide or high speed steel which ever. not cranked or handed tools which are used for facing

 

[hareng]

Back to the OP as a trainer i wouldnt recommend anything with torque. This rules out all decent lathes from UK and US except Myford toys.

Might be better off with an older Boxford, it should hold its value whereas the ****** will be scrap if used and wont be able to get the parts.

Same machine different rebrand http://www.chestermachinetools.com/Products/Product.aspx?productID=7
Dont be fooled by features, whats hidden is the change wheels would need to be took out and replaced to change pitch.

Nice parting Pete, just goes to show its the tool.

 

[brightspark]

why is the myford a toy ?? it depends on what u are machining ,what is a watchmakers lathe then ??

 

[hareng]

They are toys because it takes an eternity to do something menial. Ok for people with lots of time on their hands. It may do the job mostly sub 14mm dia stuff measured in hours that a more robust can do in mins, thats the scenario.
Plus small hole through headstock.

 

[brightspark]

They are toys because it takes an eternity to do something menial. Ok for people with lots of time on their hands. It may do the job mostly sub 14mm dia stuff measured in hours that a more robust can do in mins, thats the scenario.
Plus small hole through headstock.

obviously u havent got one or u would know diffrent . it isnt industry where u have to earn your crust fast and competetive i have 3 lathes the myford a harrison and a large ixl lathe i use all 3

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

They are toys because it takes an eternity to do something menial.

Nah,not having that...they're not toys but as I stated they were made for the modelling fraternity and not a lathe for heavy work.

They work fine if they're upgrade to some changes.

 

[brightspark]

its funny how i managed to make a belt sander on mine with 3inch diameter wheels 5 inch long out of solid bar . bored out for spindle and bearings and faced up and made the groove for the belt and it didnt take long on a MYFORD TOYwith the small headstock