Union Gradute Short Bed Lathe

This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 December 2016 at 00:20 by Hopper.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

Author

Posts
13 December 2016 at 21:04 #271653
Paul Kane
Participant
@paulkane34100
G

I would appreciate some help,I have a Union Graduate Short/Bed Lathe,I use for Woodturning,

Can I possibly put a compound table and tool holding rig onto this lathe,to turn small round brass or light metal items?If so,could you let me know what I need ,and where can I buy the items I need,At this stage ,I don't want to put out a ton of money,I will eventually be buying a Engineering Lathe,I'm trying to educate myself,watching videos etc,but I would like some guidance from people who know what they are doing. Yours Kindly Paul
Advert

13 December 2016 at 21:04 #8435
Paul Kane
Participant
@paulkane34100
Can I turn small Brass ,Aliminium on Gradute Lathe?
14 December 2016 at 16:02 #271764
roy entwistle
Participant
@royentwistle24699
You could use the tool rest that you have and carefully use hand tools like clockmakers gravers

Roy
14 December 2016 at 16:08 #271766
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Hello Paul,. welcome to the forum

Lots of info on the Graduate HERE, it looks a fine machine for its intended purpose.

The speeds are rather high for metal turning, and the way it's shaped and the great centre height probably makes it one of the least suitable lathes for such an adaptation. Fitting a compound rest on top of a large enough and suitably rigid support could use up a big chunk of the cost of a metal lathe.

Don't despair – what sort of amount were you looking to spend? There may be simpler solutions in reach of your pocket.

Neil
14 December 2016 at 22:49 #271896
Paul Kane
Participant
@paulkane34100
Posted by roy entwistle on 14/12/2016 16:02:02:

You could use the tool rest that you have and carefully use hand tools like clockmakers gravers

Roy

Thanks Kindly,for your help.Could you provide me with a link ,as to were I can see and buy these cutters?
14 December 2016 at 22:55 #271897
Paul Kane
Participant
@paulkane34100
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 14/12/2016 16:08:55:

Hello Paul,. welcome to the forum

Lots of info on the Graduate HERE, it looks a fine machine for its intended purpose.

The speeds are rather high for metal turning, and the way it's shaped and the great centre height probably makes it one of the least suitable lathes for such an adaptation. Fitting a compound rest on top of a large enough and suitably rigid support could use up a big chunk of the cost of a metal lathe.

Don't despair – what sort of amount were you looking to spend? There may be simpler solutions in reach of your pocket.

Neil

Thanks for your help,I have a speed controller on my lathe,I think the slowest RPM is 300,is that not slow enough for turning ? I would spend several hundreds of pounds,if I can use it as a metal turning lathe,have you any ideas as to what I could buy,tool holder etc,
14 December 2016 at 23:03 #271903
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Paul,

The speed control gets you over a big hurdle … and the World's your Oyster when it comes to compound slides.

Have a browse around the lathe.co.uk website and see what takes your fancy … then go shopping.

The biggest limitation will be that you will only have mechanical control over a short distance, compared with the full length of the bed on a typical engineering lathe. … rather like this: http://www.lathes.co.uk/raglan/page8.html

MichaelG.

.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/page21.html

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 14/12/2016 23:07:00
15 December 2016 at 00:20 #271920
Hopper
Participant
@hopper
You might be able to buy one of those XY compound tables designed for doing co-ordinate drilling and light milling in a drill press and then adapt it to use on the lathe as a compound slide with a toolpost bolted on top of it.
Author

Posts