Is there any value to this lathe?

[Pavinsteelman]

Hi if with a tool in your tool post you can center it up to the center of the lathe you can use it the way it is. See. it runs fine , time for paint. John

[wb4rt]

Just to keep you up to date with this project.
1. I have wired a switch on the front to eliminate reaching over the lathe.
2. I added a lamp since I'm old and need extra light.
3. Roy sent me some oilers, oil, and bits. See the new oilers!
4. I ordered and pressed in the handle on the cross-slide hand wheel since it was missing.
5. I made a rocker wedge and plan to oil temper it this week-end.
6. I have actually "turned", sort of, a piece just to see if it runs true, and it does!
7. I am bidding on some toolholders (3/8" x 3/4") or may order from Grizzly.

I am hoping to clean and paint it when I have time.

This project has been a lot of fun and I really appreciate all the comments y'all have posted. Please continue posting and I will update as I make progress. This lathe is already able to do more than I know how to do, so to answer the original question I asked, "Yes! there is a lot of value to this lathe".

You can see it running on the youtube link above. http://youtu.be/tSEvL4ophi0

[Pavinsteelman]

Hi try the place CDCCO post # 66 they have what you need also ENCO . Looks good , John

[wb4rt]

I primed and painted the lathe. I bought some toolholders. Can't wait to try them!

I'm not clear on how the boring attachment connects because it wont fit my post. But it came with the right size toolholders.

I need to find some scrap pieces to practice on.

[WyoRoy]

Post up a picture of your boring attachment Burt. Maybe we can help you out or figure a work-around.

[zapster]

Is there any value to this lathe?

You have done a bang up job on that and should be commended!!

In it's ORIGINAL state I am willing to bet that is a item that Mike and Frank from "American Pickers" would want it..

...zap!

[brucer]

some of the old style automatic oilers on the spindle bearings would be a nice upgrade..

Its good to see You found value in that old lathe

[zapster]

Holy crap!!
I just noticed that it is a hand feed carrage!!!

WoW!!

Lets see you thread with that!!!
Awesome!!


...zap!

[brucer]

It wouldnt be to difficult to add anti-backlash nuts and stepper motors to it..

[wb4rt]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the feedback.

Zap - since I don't know how to thread, yet, it is not a problem. But I'm working on it.

Roy - I will post a picture of the boring tool, but it is in Grizzly's 20 piece lathe kit: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Lath...t-20-pc-/H5868 The toolholders fit perfectly, so you would think it is sized for this lathe but is is about 5/8" or so square and will not fit in my post.

I managed to turn a little steel, break a little, throw a bit, sling the cutoff end of what I was turning! Man this is like being back in the Army. I guess I need to read some more in the book.

Here is a picture of the lathe after I painted it this week-end.

[WyoRoy]

Burt, As far as that boring bar goes, you may have to do a bit of modifying to make it work with what you have. If the round shank of the bar can be seperated from the square mount, or you can turn the square mount down on your lathe, the simplest method may be to measure to center height and drill out a piece of stock, drill and tap for a set screw and mount on your cross slide similar to the photo below. See what you can come up with in order not to have to mess with removing that square mount.

[lamename]

Nice job. I watched the video, I think you bored the hole too deep, that or you have some serious lung capacity.
Cool project!

[wb4rt]

Hey Guys.
I really appreciate all the advice and help I have received on this project. Now I have some more questions. Please remember I am starting at the bottom as I have no training nor experience on using a metal lathe.

I'm trying to use the lathe to redrill 1/4" to 9/32" in tool steel. I have tried 3-4 brand new bits and still have not been successful. It will start drilling, but very quickly becomes too hot. In fact I have had both the piece and the bit glowing cherry red. I have used tapping fluid but it just burns. The piece turns dark. It is like the bit is not cutting, it is just putting pressure on the piece. It does enlarge the hole, but not as deep as I need. I have tried slowing down the lathe. I have the tailstock lined up. A 1/4" bit fits all the way. Then I change the bit to the 9/32" and nothing works as I expect.

So maybe someone just start with the basics.

What rpm should I be running (and any advice on how to determine other than mathematically)?

Should I use a mill end instead of a bit since it is tool steel?

Any particular coolant?

Or ?

Thanks in advance.

[lotechman]

If you are cutting tool steel your lathe might not go slow enough. 4 times the Cutting speed divided by the diameter in inches is a quick formular for drills and turning.
With high speed steel 100 feet per minute is max on mild steel.
With high speed steel cutting tool steel you need to get below 50 fpm
4 X 50 / .250 = 800 rpm maximum ... slower if you can.
Soluble cutting oil is good for drilling but if you don't have any oil will cool and lubricate the cutting action. If your chips are turning blue you are turning too fast.
If you are trying to drill hardened tool steel then it might be as hard as the drill bit. You can get an idea of how hard it is by running a file over the surface. If the file skates over then it is as hard as the file and you are not going to have much luck with regular drill bits.

[forhire]

Originally Posted by wb4rt

I'm trying to use the lathe to redrill 1/4" to 9/32" in tool steel.

It sounds like the part is hardened. Have you tried annealing it?

You may need to hard turn it. Do you have a single point tool small enough? A micro carbide boring bar like one from micro100 http://www.micro100.com/ would be ideal. I think Accupro makes some less expensive versions. If your careful the tools will last a long time and can be sharpened using a diamond hone.

[brucer]

are you using cobalt drills?

ditch the high speed drills and go to cobalt.. a little trick, try using regular coca-cola for coolant..

try about 200-250rpm.. about 2ipm feed

[Pavinsteelman]

Solid carbide bits and use water to cool , it maybe too hard to drill , ceramic and diamond tooling is common in cnc work .