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

[Mueller]

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2016/02/17/peck-parting-lathes/


More info on parting.

Yes the story is mainly for CNC, but still some good reading. Also check out the comments as there is some good information there as well.

[Darren C]

Fantastic information. Some of the tools have a wax-like protective coating on the tips. That's probably what you're seeing as "poor resolution".

Again you’re most welcome!
The wax on the tool ends comes on new HSS tools to protect them in transit and storage, so hopefully if the cutting edge is intact, they should be good to go.
As Nathan says Carbide, Ceramic tool tips come in box sets 6, 10 12 etc and at $20 a tip it’s a big initial expense. You also need the correct tool holder that can be anything from $50 to $200 to fit them in.
Yes you flip them once the edge is chipped so you get 2 or 3 cutting sides per tip but you CANNOT sharpen them, just throw them in the trash can. Speed, feed, material, angle and depth of cut need to be right for these type of tools (as Nathan has said) they chip and break real easy.
Generally used for high spindle speed turning 1000rpm upwards by operators with a good knowledge.
This is why I’m steering you away from this type of tool as a beginner. Besides you can do pretty much everything you need at home with HSS tools for less cost and lower lathe speeds.

[Series9]

Here's a close up of some of the tools that were unclear in the larger picture:

[Darren C]

The top two have most probably been ground for detail undercutting or for cutting a square thread. I’m drawn more to under cutting due to the side clearance. Both are RH tools which cut using topslide (in and out at 90 degrees to lathe only) An example of undercutting would be where you make a machine thread or basic bolt and a small area under the bolt head is undercut to the thread core diameter for the thread tool to exit into at the end of a cutting stroke. Or basically the area at the end of any machine cut thread (particularly against an obstruction like a bolt head or shoulder) that has no thread.
Basic Bolt threads that are rolled not machine cut, don’t have an undercut.
DONT be tempted to try and part off using these tools, they're not going to be strong enough or have the correct clearance angles and relief.


The bottom larger tool is a LH knife. Looks a nice tool, good for turning steel (has a good side and front angle for steel) ideal for turning and facing off in a LH situation.

[Series9]

CAUTION: THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MAY HAVE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE.



So.....my titanium wedding ring has always had annoying sharp edges at the top.

I know you told me to not put the small chuck in the large chuck, but it helped me solve my problem.

My ring is much better now. Chamfered on both edges, nice and smooth.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[r_towle]

Divorce coming soon?

[Series9]

Divorce coming soon?

Nope. I'm going to do the same to hers when she picks up the baby.

[Darren C]

I'd have kept the sharp edges....

In the same way as those dog collars that gives the dog a small electric shock so it knows when its done wrong.... :-)

[Series9]

I'd have kept the sharp edges....

In the same way as those dog collars that gives the dog a small electric shock so it knows when its done wrong.... :-)

What? That's it?

You're not going to chastise me for major lathe safety violations?

You know: "kindergarten with a loaded gun"...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif)

[Darren C]

You just know I wouldn't be able to resist a photo like that... ;-)

Wrong on so many levels....

[Series9]

You just know I wouldn't be able to resist a photo like that... ;-)

Wrong on so many levels....

There you go. Now I feel better.....oh, that's probably because I fixed my ring.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Darren C]

"Turning" to the dark side you are… (see what I did there) ;-)

Travelling through a hypermill lathe ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a starter tool set or bounce too close to the chuck, and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?

Much to learn you still have…my old padawan. … This is just the beginning!

Use the Course…............A lathe course.

[Series9]

Use the Course…............A lathe course.

There is no course. The closest one I can find is in Houston (Dagobah System), and that's like you flying to Berlin to go to class.

I'm desperately needed elsewhere, so I have to do it on my own, just like Luke.

Who says the British don't have a sense of humor? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Well...me, mostly.

[Series9]

"Darkside Turning" is now the name of S9's machine shop department.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)




Who wants a T-shirt?

[nathansnathan]

I remember this time they had me turning these pistons - J&E pistons is right accross te street from HUntington Beach Machining where I worked. The boss man set up the 1st one as we were using the toolroom lathe for whatever reason, had a 3 jaw universal chuck instead of a collet setup. He does the math, and I'm like, "are you sure?" People like to run aluminum really fast and take these big cuts... apparently these were some special alloy. First one I try to run, BAM! tear a jaw right off the chuck, the piston blank hitting the guard, the lathe jumped off the ground. You learn certain things with an experience like that - keep your hand on the emergency shut off, don't mess around with how you chuck stuff up. Chucking the taper of another chuck is retarded (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Darren C]

“Darkside Turning” good name!

I’ll have the first T shirt ;-)

Will it have your face on it, like when Vader takes his helmet off to show your lathe scars?

As for British “sense of humor”, I think you’ll find its spelt “Humour”, we invented the language..

That's what you call….”The Empire (British Empire) Strikes Back” :-) :-) :-)

[Series9]

“Darkside Turning” good name!

I’ll have the first T shirt ;-)

Will it have your face on it, like when Vader takes his helmet off to show your lathe scars?

As for British “sense of humor”, I think you’ll find its spelt “Humour”, we invented the language..

That's what you call….”The Empire (British Empire) Strikes Back” :-) :-) :-)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Darren, you and I are now officially friends.

[Series9]

Chucking the taper of another chuck is retarded (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

But I needed a small chuck and there's no other way to mount it. And, it's only retarded to you because you have followed the instruction of an old machinist from when you were trained.

I don't have anyone to tell me no, so I have to use my own logic and common sense. Placing that small chuck in the lathe makes perfect sense to me. How is it different than chucking any other piece of metal?


If there's a defense, the small chuck's shaft is not tapered. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Only the end close to the chuck had a taper. I was able to set it up so it rotated with a .002" runout.

It might be a silly thing to do, but give me a real reason it's dangerous.

"Because I said so" and "Because it isn't done that way" are not acceptable answers.

[Darren C]

Darren, you and I are now officially friends.

Ditto !

[nathansnathan]

Somehow it looked like the 1st chuck was clamping on a taper and you were using a live center in the tailstock to hold it concentric. -I see now that's not the case. If it was, well yeah that would be really unsafe.

3 and 4 jaw chucks aren't nearly as secure as a true collet system, 3 jaw especially - and to run 2 doubles the risk. I've pulled some plastic parts right out of a 3 jaw, like deforming the part. No gaurds on these old school lathes, one becomes wary. You need to develop a healthy respect for the lathe whatever size. Here's the Bridgeport EZ path I crashed. It was never the same after that. I can say, "picture it leaping off the ground" but there's no substitute for actually crashing a lathe to instill the fear that is required to run one with the proper mindset.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/img.machinio.com-11782-1456260002.1.jpeg)