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LATHES!!!!
Lathes are now becoming a thing. Especially for FURS.
COOL!
But before you go buy one, there are a couple of things to do that will save you a LOT of grief!
I will make a list that worked for me and might help you. And be warn!... This is only my opinion!
Lathes are now becoming a thing. Especially for FURS.
COOL!
But before you go buy one, there are a couple of things to do that will save you a LOT of grief!
I will make a list that worked for me and might help you. And be warn!... This is only my opinion!
Pick your lathe for MORE then what you want to do.
If you think the biggest your going to turn is 12" long by 4" think parts, get a lathe that can turn 36" x 12" trust me! And too big just gets in the way! The best thing to do is go looks at one in person.
If you think the biggest your going to turn is 12" long by 4" think parts, get a lathe that can turn 36" x 12" trust me! And too big just gets in the way! The best thing to do is go looks at one in person.
Educate your self! Go to a school, read, Watch YOUTUBE.
Youtube has a LOT of Great machinists with there own channel but they are highly experienced and dive into projects as someone with years of experience would. I have not found a Beginners channel but watch them anyway.
Youtube has a LOT of Great machinists with there own channel but they are highly experienced and dive into projects as someone with years of experience would. I have not found a Beginners channel but watch them anyway.
Buy a good one! Don't by crap! After paying money for it, you will spend more on it making it as good as one you should have got. Used lathes are good buys! IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABUSED! Heres a vid of a restoration...
Tooling!
If you spend $2000 on a lathe, get ready to spend $10,000 on the goodies!
But what I do is you buy the basics. A good quick change, 5 tool holders and a OK set of tools with changeable inserts. I started with the China 5/8 carbide insert kit...Then I improved.
If you spend $2000 on a lathe, get ready to spend $10,000 on the goodies!
But what I do is you buy the basics. A good quick change, 5 tool holders and a OK set of tools with changeable inserts. I started with the China 5/8 carbide insert kit...Then I improved.
Inserts! At some point, learn how to make your own cutting tools with HSS. Its good practice. But if your lazy like me, Carbide! But two identical looking inserts are not the same! There is a reason one is $0.50 and the other is $35.00! I pay about $5 each.
After you get your basics, buy only what you need and buy 2 of them. It will save you money. A LOT of money! And over time you will have a large collection of tooling.
Safety.....
Your new lathe will never say this but, YES! It wants to kill you! Slowly, painfully and make it VERY messy for the people who find you after! The spindle will have NO problem grabbing and pulling your lose shirt, with you still in it between it and the ways!
Your new lathe will never say this but, YES! It wants to kill you! Slowly, painfully and make it VERY messy for the people who find you after! The spindle will have NO problem grabbing and pulling your lose shirt, with you still in it between it and the ways!
More safety!
Which is harder? The HOT, SHARP chip that just broke off doing about 80 MPH heading towards your face or your eye ball?
GET SAFETY GLASSES AND WEAR THEM!
Which is harder? The HOT, SHARP chip that just broke off doing about 80 MPH heading towards your face or your eye ball?
GET SAFETY GLASSES AND WEAR THEM!
DROs
If your going to get one, get a good one!
Repeatable accuracy is IMPORTANT! Otherwise LEAR YOUR DIALS. Some lathes dials read depth of cut, others read Total material removed.
If your going to get one, get a good one!
Repeatable accuracy is IMPORTANT! Otherwise LEAR YOUR DIALS. Some lathes dials read depth of cut, others read Total material removed.
Gear head or belt drive? No difference between the two....
EXCEPT...
You have to change the belts to change the spindle speed. To some people thats a hassle but a gear head lathe is about $500 to $2000 more.
Gear head is NOT the gear box!
EXCEPT...
You have to change the belts to change the spindle speed. To some people thats a hassle but a gear head lathe is about $500 to $2000 more.
Gear head is NOT the gear box!
Distractions = DANGER!
When working on the lathe for the first time, Dont have friends over to distract you. There are so many things that are happening that you need a clear head. Its going to do what you want until you stop it or it brakes something.
When working on the lathe for the first time, Dont have friends over to distract you. There are so many things that are happening that you need a clear head. Its going to do what you want until you stop it or it brakes something.
Learn and have fun!
Education is KEY! Youtube, forums, Schools. Its going to be intimidating at first but as time goes by and your confidence goes up you'll start making all sorts of cool shit!
So I hope this helps!
Go do it!
Education is KEY! Youtube, forums, Schools. Its going to be intimidating at first but as time goes by and your confidence goes up you'll start making all sorts of cool shit!
So I hope this helps!
Go do it!
