TO LATHE or NOT TO LATHE

Although I was a bit cavalier in my statement about safety in my earlier post, I do agree that they CAN be dangerous. Heed what the others have said about safety. Most things in life have a measure of danger associated with them.

If you get one with gears in it be careful running it with the cover off. Apparently there is some psychological urge to reach into moving gears, some form of hypnosis I guess. My professor in college told us that if you are working on the gearing to not do it alone, and to have someone observe you to pull you away if you start to reach in.
 
Ah..good point (gears)

the 7x (mini-lathes) have PLASTIC gears... which most people (eventually) break.. and have to replace..

my suggestion is (the 8x has all metal gears).. dont get a lathe with plastic gears..... 'or'..... get a set of metals gears one at the same time of purchase...



Some other difference to note or look for..

1.) the 7x's DO HAVE variable speed control... (my 8x does not).. that means you turn a dial/pot to adjust the speed of the chuck/headstock

I have to change a belt to get different 'set' speeds.. its easy.. and I mostly work with aluminum, so I never change my belt speed.



2.) if you are thinking about (manually) threading on a lathe.. understand what you are getting into. :)

it is one of the more advanced projects you can do on these... takes practice and understanding..

many people just do slip or press fit and secure with set-screw or something.. (for a reason) lol..

but it can be done...
 
If i may comment a few things, as i started with a 7x12 as my first private lathe ......

xl97 said:
the 7x (mini-lathes) have PLASTIC gears... which most people (eventually) break.. and have to replace..

my suggestion is (the 8x has all metal gears).. dont get a lathe with plastic gears..... 'or'..... get a set of metals gears one at the same time of purchase...
Click to expand...


These special gears are made from plastic on a purpose - they are a predeterminated breaking point. As many beginners start with such lathes, it helps to avoid bigger damage when they crash it due to minor experience.
And they would be louder with metal gears - many are used at home/in the house, not in a dedicated shop where noise is no problem.
 
still stinks when your in the middle of a project and they break.. :(

so plan ahead. :)


also to throw this out there..

for the mill.. "I" personally got the SOLID COLUMN version of the hi-torque mill..

After reading 'mod after mod' about what people do to 'stiffen' their columns to make it stronger..

"AND" hearing from Chris Wood (owner of LMS).. that is all his years of machining.. he has never ONCE tilted the column on his mills..

I was 'sold'.. :)
 
Last edited:
Work carefully and educated - and they don´t break. ;)

When i´ve sold my 7x12 after several years, it had still the original gears.
 
xl97 said:
if you are thinking about (manually) threading on a lathe.. understand what you are getting into. :)
Click to expand...

Ha, that was part of one of my machining classes in school. We had to make a c-clamp, the body milled and the screw turned. I tried a few times to thread it on the lathe, would get maybe an inch, then would get it jacked, finally gave up and used a die on the entire shaft, lost points for doing that, but at least it worked.

I'm excited about hopefully getting a mill and lathe maybe early next year. Learned on WWII surplus Brideports, so going with the chinese mini's will be an adjustment (ignoring that I haven't even used either in about 7 years).

Will eventually convert them to CNC, what program do most use now? All I've used in the past was G code.

The CNC machning class was without a doubt my favorite in the 4 years of school that I crammed into 5. I would usually skip other classes to spend more time in the shop. Traded work with other students a lot (I would do their machining, they would do my electrical), maybe that's why I burn up everything I try to wire, ha.

I did have a nice compiment paid to me by the professor over the program recently. One course involved both the engineering and business departments. They paired some of the engineering students up with business students into groups. We had to develop, create, and market a product. We ended up making cutting boards with the school logo branded on the board. I machined the logo in brass and made them a few copies. Anyway, I was shopping at the mall and ran into my professor. He's came up to me and started up some small talk. He said they still have the logos I machined and are still using them to brand other products that they're making now. Just felt good to leave my mark (no pun intended).
 
Im not saying it happens to 'everyone' (always an exception).. but for NEW people.. (like the OP..and many others)..

'accidents' to happen.. accidentally slamming carriage into the chuck..

power feed threading and not dis-engaging fast enough..

taking to big of a cut...etc..etc..


I would say it happens MORE so.. then NOT..

(at least by the posts on the machining mailing lists/groups I read)..

for me.. I like to play it safe. and have back-ups of things that many say is a huge point of failure. :)


but again.. thats 'me'..
if anyone feels like they are above mistakes/accidents.. dont buy them until you need them :)
 
hi Luke-

believe it or not.. MANY veteran machinists suggest to use a die for 'finishing' your threading job.. :)


Also.. Id like to get into CNC eventually as well.. (laser cutter first though) lol

I think many people or machines are set up to use Mach3?

but there are so many approaches now.. I cant keep up..

I see alot of Arduino/CNC projects popping up now too.. (maybe a cheaper alternative to look into)

still new lead screws... stepper motors..etc.. (it all adds up!) :)


disclaimer: Im just a DIY guy who like to learn.. Im not a professionally trained 'anything' when it comes to machining.

I just post what I have.. what I have done.. and what has (or hasnt) worked for me.. :)
 
to make small parts I've used what I call a drill lathe.

Using an ordinary drill either with or without a router speed controller. I have a drill with a speed controller built into the trigger which locks. If the drill doesn't have flat sides, use two large hose clamps wrapped around the drill to hold wooden shims so the drill can be securely mounted in a vise. Mount drill in vise but do not over tighten or you can damage the casing and restrict the shaft from turning. Chuck the item you are trying to turn into the chuck and tighten securely. adjust your speed either with the trigger or a router speed controller and get to work. I use a long 4X4 as a tool rest depending on what I am trying to turn. I have made firing pins and springs for old guns and other items. LMFAOSchwartz used my method on his Space 1999 Eagle engine bells.

http://www.therpf.com/f11/space-199...-club-updated-141012/index36.html#post2585019

http://www.therpf.com/f11/space-199...-club-updated-141012/index36.html#post2586720

You can also use this method in a drill press, however you cannot use too much pressure or you will damage the bearings in the drill press. I normally used the drill ress method only for making springs.
 
Father said:
That saber alone has always been my reason for wanting a lathe. I'm not sure what else I would use one for but just being able to turn out one of those would almost be worth it to me... almost.
Click to expand...

I second this
 
Yes, many people are using Mach3 to control their routers and lasers even.

Having built a cnc from here, I'd recommend the site for lots of good info and inexpensive kits. Build Your Own CNC Router, CNC Machine, or 3D Printer

xl97 said:
hi Luke-

believe it or not.. MANY veteran machinists suggest to use a die for 'finishing' your threading job.. :)


Also.. Id like to get into CNC eventually as well.. (laser cutter first though) lol

I think many people or machines are set up to use Mach3?

but there are so many approaches now.. I cant keep up..

I see alot of Arduino/CNC projects popping up now too.. (maybe a cheaper alternative to look into)

still new lead screws... stepper motors..etc.. (it all adds up!) :)


disclaimer: Im just a DIY guy who like to learn.. Im not a professionally trained 'anything' when it comes to machining.

I just post what I have.. what I have done.. and what has (or hasnt) worked for me.. :)
Click to expand...
 
kimncris said:
I have one of those sherlines. I have used it to build blasters, sabers, a cryocooler way back when and more recently parts
For my R2. I love it.
Click to expand...
Any images of the saber(s) you've built with a Sherline?

I didn't realize they were large enough to be able to do that kind of work.
 
I split the cost of a little Enco metal lathe with my dad about 5 years ago. Made some really nice prop sabers. The last few years though, I haven't even tinkered. Work, stress and everything else killed that kind of stuff. But moping aside, so worth picking up a cheap Chinese bench lathe from Grizzly or Enco.
 
CaptainMarvel said:
Any images of the saber(s) you've built with a Sherline?

I didn't realize they were large enough to be able to do that kind of work.
Click to expand...

It's kindof a crap photo but this seems to be the only one I have left online

rotjcalendar.jpg
 
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