The Quest for lathes

[Christian SprogøParticipant @christiansprogo42613]

[Christian SprogøParticipant @christiansprogo42613]

Hello again. Well only 72 hours after ptessing that precious buy now button, my lathe arrived from England. Ill do a full beginners review , with pictures – when time allows.
Q: After reading and talking to a new people, i was told it to be good practice, to dismanteling the top sled and tailstock , prior to cleaning down the lathe, from All that protective oil. Done that is, but i noticed quite a Lot of “rough” edges. Should One deburr Them, and if so , what to use ? Fine Grit sandpaper – honingstone, or a diamond ?
Thnx in advance for any answers

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

If you get some pictures up the guys can help you out

GL

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

An ordinary file will take off burrs without leaving abrasive grit on your machine tool ways. Even the "hardened" beds on many Chinese lathes can be deburred with an ordinary file.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

+1 for pictures please. I would only worry about rough edges where they interfere with the operation of the machine.

I'm not sure it's "good practice" to start by dismantling a new lathe. Try it first. Do some tests. Some of the first Asian machines sold in the west had faults galore. A lot of the negative comment dates back 40 years and more. Modern machines seem to be much better despite being made down to a price. However, don't expect tool room quality at hobby prices!

My experiences buying Chinese have all been good. I expected problems and was pleasantly surprised to find that everything worked on delivery. Adjustment and finish were reasonable. In use, I have found and fixed several minor annoyances (such as a binding index dial) , but have never had a serious fault.

Dave

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 05/05/2017 10:39:56:

I would only worry about rough edges where they interfere with the operation of the machine.

Or if they are a danger to your fingers!

Russell

[Christian SprogøParticipant @christiansprogo42613]

Spend a couple hours cleaning the machine, just to get to know things i allso took tailstock and top sled apart. Cleaned everything down, every single tooth on a thread or anything else,got a cotton pick? , and fresh oil. Adjusted all gibs, so now it runs smooth as silk.

Some rough edges on all surfaces, but i expected that from a cheaper machine, the finish is costly, so they dont seem to do it properly (to my standards). I gently "kissed" all the rough edges with a fine stone, so now im not cutting my hands handling the machine. But now im nearly ready to try the damn thing out

Note to self: English electrical plugs are NOT the same as here. Could have told myself that, they drive in the wrong side of the road, and have weird ways to measure things -mph, inch, gallon and so forth :-]

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

Christian. I think you’ll find it is your plugs that are different and that you drive on the wrong side of the road lol. And don’t even mention weird measurements. Nothing wrong with measuring in 64ths of an inch.

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

Congratulations with your new lathe Christian, I did try to remove some rough/sharp edges on my lathe, well where I might happen to put my hands. Let us here how you are getting on.

Thor

[Christian SprogøParticipant @christiansprogo42613]

He he. Will do a full review with pictures soon, just need to run the damn thing :-]

I have 2 options for solving the electrical issue. 1 cut off crazy plug, and install regular one. Do think it will void any warranty though. 2 – Pick up a nice black thin adaptor tomorrow. Think i have to wait 24 hour more. Guess ill go to my workshop away from home, and do some milling in the meantime..

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

… 2 – Pick up a nice black thin adaptor tomorrow…

From my experience if you so much as remove a screw / other small item the warranty is void! …look on the back of pc's & other electrical equipment you will often see … 'removal of this label will void any warranty' … & this is the label that covers the screw that you have to get to, to remove the back cover!.

George.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Beware, many of the UK to EU plug adaptors I have come across don't have the necessary earth connection.

I have cut the plug off and fitted EU plugs to the machines I have bought from the UK. It's much safer.

Russell

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

 

I only use my lathe occasionally and it takes me ages to remember how to use it. Lol. 👍

Spend a couple hours cleaning the machine, just to get to know things

[Christian SprogøParticipant @christiansprogo42613]

Why does my Mk2 to b16 Seem to be some 25mm too Long. Is Mk2 konus for a lathe Shorter? I need to Windows my tailstock some 25mm Out, before the drill Chuck adapter Works Can i just Saw off the extra lenght, without messing Up the konus.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Christian Sprog� on 05/05/2017 20:42:32:

…. Can i just Saw off the extra lenght, without messing Up the konus.

Yes. I used a grinder rather than a saw because the taper was hardened.

[Brian GParticipant @briang]

Make sure you leave enough length for the self-eject to work though.

Brian

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