Lathe

[davidroberts30]

I was looking at that myself, never used a lathe but fancy trying my hand at it. Can anybody recommend how to go about picking up the basics seeing as there is nothing in the way of evening classes/course around here?

Start with the basics of setting the tools up properly

 

[Mursal]

Yes and never ever leave the key in the chuck

 

[davidroberts30]

Yes and never ever leave the key in the chuck

School boy error that

 

[Mursal]

Well, we all have to start somewhere, a lathe can be extremely dangerous if not used with respect.

 

[davidroberts30]

Well, we all have to start somewhere, a lathe can be extremely dangerous if not used with respect.

Oh yes and keep loose clothing away

 

[davieh3350]

Start with the basics of setting the tools up properly

And getting the correct cutting speed next.

 

[Ley253]

And, if buying, dont bother with one which has a motor stop, instead of a clutch/brake.Old Motor stop machines can have a long Run Down time, and thats too long if your going around with the chuck!

 

[TheTallGuy]

Two books by Harold Hall come to mind:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lathework-Complete-Course-Workshop-Practice/dp/1854862308/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Metal-Lathe-Home-Machinists-Harold/dp/1565236939

 

[Scribus]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, I wouldn't be starting off with thread cutting, that's for sure! I've been refurbishing a Kubota lawn mower deck and had to get some loader pins turned down to size and was thinking it would be handy if I could it myself. There are still bits to be done and given the price of Kubota parts a lathe could pay for itself in fairly short order. I also came across these -

https://www.warco.co.uk/2955-model-engineering-lathes

I'm guessing they are made out east somewhere but I wouldn't be doing heavy duty stuff.

 

[Scribus]

rly short order.

Yes and never ever leave the key in the chuck

Done that with a pillar drill!

 

[davieh3350]

And, if buying, dont bother with one which has a motor stop, instead of a clutch/brake.Old Motor stop machines can have a long Run Down time, and thats too long if your going around with the chuck!

or buy a Harrison l21 with a motor stop switch and brake.

 

[davieh3350]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, I wouldn't be starting off with thread cutting, that's for sure! I've been refurbishing a Kubota lawn mower deck and had to get some loader pins turned down to size and was thinking it would be handy if I could it myself. There are still bits to be done and given the price of Kubota parts a lathe could pay for itself in fairly short order. I also came across these -

https://www.warco.co.uk/2955-model-engineering-lathes

I'm guessing they are made out east somewhere but I wouldn't be doing heavy duty stuff.

oh no! Dont!

 

[Ley253]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, I wouldn't be starting off with thread cutting, that's for sure! I've been refurbishing a Kubota lawn mower deck and had to get some loader pins turned down to size and was thinking it would be handy if I could it myself. There are still bits to be done and given the price of Kubota parts a lathe could pay for itself in fairly short order. I also came across these -

https://www.warco.co.uk/2955-model-engineering-lathes

I'm guessing they are made out east somewhere but I wouldn't be doing heavy duty stuff.

Model engineering kit is just that, A model! There was a decent looking lath in T&M recently, for £100.00. Buy something like that. Remember, small jobs can be done on a large lather, much harder the other way around!

 

[Ley253]

or buy a Harrison l21 with a motor stop switch and brake.

Harrison? must have improved since the mid 70`s. had one at the training centre at Bristol.Fell apart regularly, most memorable when the tool post fell off! (No. I wasnt using it) Best kit in the place were two wartime Edgwicks, followed by the Colchester Triumph.

 

[TheTallGuy]

Harrison? must have improved since the mid 70`s. had one at the training centre at Bristol.Fell apart regularly, most memorable when the tool post fell off! (No. I wasnt using it) Best kit in the place were two wartime Edgwicks, followed by the Colchester Triumph.

Harrison lathes were good, but they needed to be looked after, Colchesters had their issues too. Both companies ended up under the ownership of 600 Group.

 

[Ley253]

Our instructors didnt have a good word for that Harrison, but things may have been different if it had been in a tool room. I have an elderly Holbrook, does what I want but is really too slow, doesnt like neg rake tools either!

 

[davieh3350]

Harrison? must have improved since the mid 70`s. had one at the training centre at Bristol.Fell apart regularly, most memorable when the tool post fell off! (No. I wasnt using it) Best kit in the place were two wartime Edgwicks, followed by the Colchester Triumph.

Needs bits and pieces done to it, but a good bit of kit

 

[Scribus]

oh no! Dont!

Are they as bad as that?

 

[davieh3350]

Are they as bad as that?

I wouldn't want one!
I have a little boxford model A if you'd like to do a deal on that?

 

[Kevm]

For the price of that little Warco you should be able to find some nice vintage cast iron, which will still be worth what you paid for it in 10yrs time.
There is a lovely DSG (Dean Smith and Grace) on ebay at the moment, the Rolls Royce of lathes and quite rare only two things wrong with it - some fool painted it (badly) bright red and he wants £2500 for it.