Learning the lathe

[James BennetParticipant @jamesbennet80222]

Learning the lathe

[James BennetParticipant @jamesbennet80222]

I would like to learn how to turn metal on the lathe. I would be interested in turning small things like razor handles, chess pieces, torch bodies, in aluminium. I've never used one before except an old Myford 7 in school 15+ years ago.

Which mini-lathes are any good? I have been looking at the Warco ones?

i.e. http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-lathes-metalworking-lathe-machine/302983-mini-lathe-hobby-lathes.html

a) Is that any good for me

b) what else do I need in terms of tools

c) what can I do in terms of training materials

d) how man portable is that, its just me and I live in a flat

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

Read here is the next best thing as to getting experience.

[VicParticipant @vic]

It's quite a compact machine by the look of it and should be easy enough to move at 35kg. It sounds large enough for the items you've suggested you'd like to make though. Aluminium alloy or mild steel should both be suitable for training purposes. Apart from some HSS Lathe tools you'll need a grinder to keep them sharp and a tail stock and live centre. Lots of other stuff but you can buy them as you go along. There are lots of mini lathe websites out there to look at for ideas, inspiration and instruction. After safety (get some safety specs) the next thing is to have fun!

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

James,

I recommend that you buy a copy of Using The Small Lathe by L C Mason quite the best primer for new lathe users that I have seen. Reprints are available from TEE Publishing Ltd.

http://www.teepublishing.co.uk

[James BennetParticipant @jamesbennet80222]

Thanks for your comments, guys, and also for the book suggestion.

I already have a wraparound face shield with brim from another DIY project, which I was intending to use (safety specs tend not to really work for me as I have prescription glasses). Besides the usual no jewelry or long sleeves, that should be sufficient PPE, right?

You are right that 35kg sounds OK for me to move, my day job sometimes involves lifting servers of similar weight. I didn't see the mention that in the description earlier!

Ill also try not to get Gear Acquisition Syndrome. What did you mean when you said "and a tail stock", I was under the impression it came with one? – I was indeed thinking about picking up a small selection of HSS tools , a live (revolving) centre, to start, then maybe later a drill chuck/arbor and centre drill, more tools etc… (oh and of course some aluminium bar – 6061?).

Are any of the addons like quick change tool posts worth it at this stage?

Never ground before, so a little unsure about that, so ill need to do some reading on that too!

Two major questions before I buy:

Finally, I can just plug it into a normal plug right (no three phase inverter nonsense?), and secondly, Metric or Imperial? – I don't need to machine any specific threads to fit anything, so I guess I can just pick whichever?

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

You could get the book Metal Turning on the Lathe by David Clark published by Crowood Press.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

James,

Plus 1 for the Mason book (sorry David!). It'll come with a 13 amp plug. Metric or Imperial? – whatever you are most comfortable with. If in the future you want to cut threads then the option to use metric or imperial will be available (just purchase a few extra change gears).

I've done a little bit of experimentation this last weekend with insert tip carbide tools on my little Flexispeed which is considerably flimsier than the Warco Mini lathe and I find that they are fine. I used these from JB Cutting Tools – with both DCMT (for steel) and DCGT (for ally) tips but you can use either on both. Saves the added hassle of learning to grind tools when learning how to use the lathe.

Hope this helps and have fun

Rod

[Gas_mantle.Participant @gas_mantle]

I'd say you need to budget for some measuring equipment as well, even if you don't intend doing super precision work you'll probably find before long you'll need a micrometer, a set square, a set of calipers, scriber, centre punch etc. A dial indicator is pretty much essential too.

[Alex CollinsParticipant @alexcollins55045]

Hi James
I was in your position but a few years ago.
Both of the mentioned books are equally good, Go buy at least one of them.

My best advice has to be to get a Machine, get some Metal and learn the hard way.
Sure enough you will screw things up. Learn from your mistake.

A Fire Piston is a great thing to make as a first project.
**LINK**
It's trickier than it looks to make and have work.

The warco machines are very good value and within the limits of the machine work reasonably well.

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

the warco item is same as pretty much all the rest of this size, though i hope theyre better electronics than the Clarke variant. I have 3 lathes but find this one invaluable for small pre4cision work. Be aware that they dont hold much diameter wise (maybe bigger chuck availible?). They need a fair degree of adjustment to keep things spot on. Get the chuck, centre drills and revolving centre at same time as lathe if possible as you will most likely need them all at once. They are heavy but manageable. You will also need a means to sharpen tooling unless you go pure inserts, but thats expensive and not well suited especially to a beginer. Good luck.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

being still an absolute beginner I suspect my comments will soon be shot down.
First I suggest that you will need spend a couple of hundred pound on initial tools tho some may be included with lathe – obvious set of lathe tools (Hss or TCB), live centre, a drill chuck for tailstock (+ a number of centre drills along with usual good quality drill bits, a small bench vice for all the fettling needed, some sharpening tools also something to cut your metal (I rapidly found a bandsaw was also essential! esp if you are using steel)
Secondly in a flat unless you have a spare bedroom I’d worry about the mess it can make – metal fileings or swarf dont mix well with carpets and drilling any metal tends to throw swarf quite considerable distances especially the light aluminium swarf – lino is probably fine – a good wet+dry vacuum cleaner is essential, also just handling some metals is extremely dirty esp cast iron and most steels – there are a good reasons why men are shunted out to sheds!

[VicParticipant @vic]

Sorry, senior moment, I meant Drill Chuck to fit the tail stock!

[James BennetParticipant @jamesbennet80222]

Ive got a spare room which is a bit of a hackspace, laminate floor. So sweeping is OK,

Budgeted 75-100 quid for the bits and bobs on top already, looking at the same place that looks no problem.

A shed is next on my list for when we move

[Black Cat2Participant @blackcat256889]

might be worth looking at the Chester Conquest..Tiny bit smaller than the Warco but on offer all summer at ?399 ..For about ?75 more you get other things dro s included..
Jonathon

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

The amateurs lathe by sparey is a must

Posted by David Clark 1 on 17/08/2015 16:52:32:

You could get the book Metal Turning on the Lathe by David Clark published by Crowood Press.

Nice to see you published something David. Well done you

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Buy a small new lathe James – one that suits your pocket. It will come with a 3-jaw chuck – perfectly fine to begin with. If it doesn't have a drill chuck, then that will probably be your next purchase – so check to see if one is supplied. After that (and seemingly not very fashionable these days) – a faceplate is very useful for many things the 3 jaw cannot handle. Equipped with these few items, I think you could machine all the items you've mentioned.

As it seems you want to work in aluminium, I'd find some scrap lumps (and ask family/friends to keep an eye out for you) as to buy 'new' lumps to just practice on could get expensive. Just cut any scrap into usable sized lumps and then practice facing and turning them to a defined size. Simple HSS cutting tools will be more than enough for this work – but you will need a cheap grinder to keep them sharp. The German superstores sell cheap digital calipers to help you measure your work with.

Once you can turn and face with confidence, you can buy some suitable stock to actually make your projects (if you have no suitable 'scrap' by then). You will also have some idea of what else might be useful but don't rush into this.

You will find your spare room much more comfortable and convenient than any shed (in my experience) – so if you can – then stay there. You don't need a shed to do the sort of work you currently envisage, so wait until your needs grow before moving out.

I was very lucky in this respect – I was allowed to move back in.

Regards,

IanT

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Didn't occur to me before but high speed cutting can make aluminium "stick" to the cutting tool

I found my slowest speed best at times because there's less heat

So bear that in mind

gl

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Addy1 I also wrote milling which is also available.

[John bandelowParticipant @johnbandelow40979]

Hi all I'm new to all of this but like James I would like to start making some part for my models out of 6061 T6 aluminium , I have inherited a Harrison L5 240v lathe but knowing next to nothing about this sort of thing (am looking into night classes to learn) will this lathe do the job the work is all small stuff largest diameter will be 25mm solid bar Any advice would be most appreciated

Many thanks John

[egaParticipant @ega]

There is also Stan Bray's "The Compact Lathe" – "the sort of lathe that is easily portable".

[DuncParticipant @dunc]

Here's a legitimate free how to book:

How to Run a Lathe from South Bend Lathe Works, USA

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1617/3789.pdf

While an old publication, it holds a lot of info; if nothing else, the price is right.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

+1 … There is also Stan Bray's "The Compact Lathe"

Another book that may be useful initially & as you progress…

'Workholding in the lathe' … Tubal Cain… Workshop Practice Series #15

George.

[IanTParticipant @iant]

"Hi all I'm new to all of this but like James I would like to start making some part for my models out of 6061 T6 aluminium , I have inherited a Harrison L5 240v lathe but knowing next to nothing about this sort of thing (am looking into night classes to learn) will this lathe do the job the work is all small stuff largest diameter will be 25mm solid bar Any advice would be most appreciated"

Assuming your lathe is in half reasonable condition John (it doesn't need to be perfect)

– them the short answer is "Yes John – No problem"

Regards,

IanT

[Dinosaur EngineerParticipant @dinosaurengineer]

South Bend's "How to run a lathe" is free on the internet . I think the last free copy was 1958 which is a bit later than the link copy above. A few Google searches should find it quite easily.

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