New member from Lancashire

[mannyroadParticipant @mannyroad]

Hi everyone,

Not since leaving school back in the 70’s have I had any experience on a lathe and back then we used a Myford 7 lathe in our metalwork class.  I’ve recently bought myself a Boxford AUD metric lathe and am slowly beginning to get my head around turning stuff on it.

The reason I wanted a lathe was that I like to build custom motorbikes and wanted to have a go at making my own simple turned parts, instead of having to rely on a precision engineer associate I know, who lives 30 odd miles away.  I’ve been having a go at simple things like plain bushes, tophat bushes, brass footpegs and gear shifters, axles, etc., and am loving it, though I am fast realising that there’s a lifetime of knowledge missing.  I’ve been reading the Boxford ‘Know your Lathe’ book, though in some sections it seems to expect a little fore-knowledge, or maybe I’m just not that clever! I’m very much hoping that you guys with a wealth of knowledge will be able to help me out occasionally to avoid me wasting expensive stock.

Anyway,  I hope I’m amongst guys who won’t take the p— at someone who has no experience, like one can find on other forums.  I must say, I’m a tad annoyed with myself at not having bought myself a lathe years ago. Might be asking a lot of my OAP brain, haha!

I could use a little help understanding the best way to do external screw cutting (on scrap stock!) with my lathe, given it doesn’t have a dial indicator and I’ve not had cause to use the half nuts yet (just use the clutch when turning).  I’ve been reading up about screw cutting in the Lathework books of the Workshop Practice Series and there’s a lot to get my head round, though I think I’m beginning to understand/grasp the concept of cutting on the leading edge of the cutting tool.  Lots of things I’m not sure about though, like how to properly change and set up the stud gear on the Boxford and adjust for adequate clearances etc., so I think my first thread will be about this, unless there’s one already on this forum site.

Right, well, enough gabbing. Time to start increasing my knowledge by pouring over the forum threads.

Oh, I forgot, a bit about me.  I’m a retired civil’s engineer from Lancashire who’s hobbies over the years have primarily been RC model building & flying (sport and scale scratch builds), woodworking and custom bikes. I’m currently building a new Yamaha XS650 based chopper which is almost ready for paint and for which I bought the Boxford lathe.  I’ve been painting classic and custom motorcycles for a good number of years now, both for customer’s and friends and my paintshop is where I’m currently using my lathe, my garage at home being over-full with woodworking machines, tools and crap!

 

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Welcome to the party Sir ! you have come to the right place. We are in the main a happy bunch and you will find a vast font of knowledge here, all you need to do is ask ! The extraction of urine is seldom seen here and is frowned up on. There is no such thing as a silly question – though there may be some silly answers. Hey ho.  Best wishes and Good Luck. Noel.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

As Noel says, Welcome.

There are always folk who are happy to help.

You will find other motorcycle enthusiasts on here, so you are in good company!

With regard to questions, particularly about machines, it helps to be specific with a question (with pictures- if possible) It would be puzzling to receive an answer about a Leadscrew, when the real query is about a backlash in a Cross Slide!

BOOKS

I am a great fan of “Basic Lathework” by the late Stan Bray. (45 in the Workshop Practice Series)

You may find “Screwcutting in the Lathe” by Martin Cleeve (3 in the Workshop Practice Series) useful.

A useful reference book is Tubal Cain’s “Model Engineer’s Handbook), now in it’s third edition.

A set of Zeus Charts are always useful (Still using mine from 1958!)

For small sizes, I use Taps and Dies (so a good selection of drills is needed)

For larger sizes (or no Tap  or Dies of the size needed) I have to resort to screwcutting.

Unusually, yesterday made a shade ring for a table lamp; a 28 x 1.25 mm internal thread. Hopelessly uneconomic, but we’re not on piece work!

HTH

Howard

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

There’s no such thing as a silly question just silly answers! and yes there is no doubt that its a very long learning curve (but an enjoyable one)IMHO

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Welcome you will find lots of help on here !  Where in Lancashire are you ? I am just outside Lancaster in the Lune valley

John

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