Hydraulic copy attachment put into practice

[Chris Richards 3Participant @chrisrichards3]

Hello,

My previous topic was discussing how useful the hydraulic attachments are on a lathe. Subsequently I took the plunge and bought one.

I'm just in the process of fashioning the unit on to my Harrison L5. So now I'm trying to work out if it's actually going to be feasible as I've faced a few issues.

1st issue faced mounting the hydraulic slide onto the cross slide (I believe originally it would of been possible to buy an extended slide) I now have devised a plate to allow to remove compound slide and bolt this in its place.

2nd issue the original tool post placed the tool height nearly and inch too high even for the upside down cutting. I've temporarily made a lower tool post fit without the adjuster which has led me to a 3rd issue.

3rd issue then is that the dove tail base now looks like it's going to be too close to be able to machine any diameters of useful size. I've just gotta try source the hydraulic oil to try it out but should I be skeptical?

Thanks,

Chris

Ps. Pictures to follow if I can upload

[Chris Richards 3Participant @chrisrichards3]

[Chris Richards 3Participant @chrisrichards3]

This is the attachment bolted on with the lowest tool post I could find. Maybe I need more overhang on the tool post? Although I may run out of cross slide travel next

[Chris Richards 3Participant @chrisrichards3]

No idea if it needs this adjustable tool post to fine tune diameters but there's no way it would work:

[DustyParticipant @dusty]

Question, was the hydraulic coppier made for your machine? If not, then it will need modification even then it may not work. If however it was made for your machine (not just make but model also) then it should work. These things are not one size fits all, they are machine specific.

[Chris Richards 3Participant @chrisrichards3]

It's not specifically for this machine, hence the fashioning to fit. I'm just trying to work out if I'm wasting my time at this point as I've no experience of how the thing functions?

Thanks,

Chris

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

I seem to remember the turners where I worked ran the lathe backwards with the tool tip face up when using their hydraulic copying attachment. Could be wrong as it was a long time ago.

[Chris Richards 3Participant @chrisrichards3]

Hi David, I'd prefer to do that so I can see what the tool is doing but I'd need to reduce the tool height even more. I've had another look today and think I could make a heavy tool post to allow to protrude enough that I could copy upto a 60mm diameter at a push of the saddle travel. So I just need to confirm if the adjustable tool post is required? In fact if I need it I could machine a tool holder that sits in the original tool post but allows me to reduce the height mmm might be the best looking solution.

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

What about hanging the tool of the left hand side of the tool post so it can be lower?

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

If You look up Keith Fenner — TurnWright Machine Shop, on YouTube some of His earlier videos show Him setting up and using a tracer for His lathe. It came out way more useful than first thought. Some here might not have ever seen one and that's why I am posting this.

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