Small metal turning lathe as a tool for model building

[colbra]

Hi all
I have just made a call to Carba – Tec in Brisbane to make inquiries about the Siege range of lathes
Mainly about the fact that a lot of the models have nylon gears and what are the expectation of a lathe of this price and type.
I have a larger metal lathe that I have turned pieces of wood making wheels ect

Is there any model builders using a similar siege lathe for this purpose
The lathe I was looking at was a Siege C3.

Last but by no means least is the very pleasant young lady by the name of Ann, whom I spoke to about the siege range. Anne was on the mark with all my questions which really surprised me thinking I would be talking to a male being generally a male domain.
At the end I asked what her background was to be on the ball with all that information and knowledge. Anne informed me that she was a Patten Maker.
and had done model building as part of her trade so if you need to find out something about which piece of machinery to buy or achieve a certain outcome give her a call.
colbra:)

[wolflrv]

Colbra..I've debated the same thing for quite awhile. I may eventually end up with metal mini-lathe to do some finer model work. I would think if you worked with hardwoods for the small parts that it would be exceptional for detailing. The only stuff I've heard bad about the idea, is that the machine itself suffers from the sawdust and that the speed that you can achieve on a metal lathe are lower than for a wood lathe. I would think though that if you already have experience on a larger metal lathe, you could probably do great things with a mini for making model parts.

For myself I plan to use my Dremel for the moment with various jigs to achieve some of my detail work, but I'm still looking at the metal mini-lathe for future expansion.

[colbra]

Colbra..I've debated the same thing for quite awhile. I may eventually end up with metal mini-lathe to do some finer model work. I would think if you worked with hardwoods for the small parts that it would be exceptional for detailing. The only stuff I've heard bad about the idea, is that the machine itself suffers from the sawdust and that the speed that you can achieve on a metal lathe are lower than for a wood lathe. I would think though that if you already have experience on a larger metal lathe, you could probably do great things with a mini for making model parts.

For myself I plan to use my Dremel for the moment with various jigs to achieve some of my detail work, but I'm still looking at the metal mini-lathe for future expansion.

Hi Wolflrv
That was the reason I wanted to get a smaller cheaper lathe I don’t like using the big lathe for that reason it takes ages to clean up properly and then I have to re oil all the steel work I thought the small siege machine under a $1000 down to about $450 with a higher speeds and wood turning fitting might be the answer I would have thought there may have been some scale model maker using these small lathes.

I had a Sheppach radial arm drill that I just sold on eBay and the siege mill drill I moved up to the back shed it’s very accurate for drilling, I think I could use the end mills to cut some rebates and small groves I think the machine get up to 2000 thousand revs.
For router bits that could be a bit slow end mills and mortise drills should be ok.

As for experience if my knowledge base matched collection of tools and machinery I would be a very smart old man but alas this is not the case.

When they were giving out the Brains I thought they said Trains and I said no thanks I already have a set :doh: LOL

colbra:)

[wolflrv]

I'm assuming you have a regular wood lathe?? If so, you might want to consider mounting a cross-vise to it like on Bret's lathe.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f174/new-toy-making-toys-143327/

Apparently way back when, you could buy one as an accessory, but that seems to not be available anymore. Maybe e-bay?? I've been looking at several of those too as an option for my lathe. Since you've got much more machining experience than I have, you could probably adapt a generic one fairly easily. I'd think it would be much cheaper to buy a decent wood lathe and cross-vise, than the Siege lathe and you could then set it up however you needed.

[AUSSIE]

Hi Col
Looks like I am it.
I have had a C3 for some time now and it is still going fine.
Some answers
About the sawdust rusting the lathe.Well I leave the dust on mine sometimes and not a sign of rust at all.I have oil on it and have a well insulated shed though.
Speed wise,How fast do you want it to go? They do just over 3000 RPM.
Seems fast enough to me.
I wouldnt go any smaller than the C3.At 7 x 14
I can turn wheels upto 7" at a push
I have an adaptor to fit a wood chuck.
Bought a face plate to suit the C3 and the clamps to go with it,
Made some bits up to turn large items.EG 7" wheels.
Tool rests for woodworking etc.
other stuff that I cant think of at the moment
Not the most accurate lathe going. and needs some tuning.But for wood turning it is close enough.
I use it for brass and aluminium turning as well as does ok.I dont like turning steel on it though.Just me maybe.
It has a digital speed readout
The plastic gears worry me but havent had any trouble yet.Not a goo job to fix going by the instructions I have seen.
A place in USA sells metal gears and kits,along with all spares at a good price.
i had a larger metal lathe until I stopped working and moved.My mate bought that one.Then he moved out of town.
The Chuck I purchased is here GEN 3 GPW 100 DELUXE CHUCK SET (http://www.garypye.com/Chucks/GPW-GEN-3/Gen-3-GPW100-Deluxe-Chuck-Set-p250.html)
it has 4 sets of jaws.That is all I have needed for model making so far.
Naturally you always need to buy something to do a job,but that is part of the fun.
It is late ,so I mite be full of it at the moment:2tsup::o

[colbra]

Colbra..I've debated the same thing for quite awhile. I may eventually end up with metal mini-lathe to do some finer model work. I would think if you worked with hardwoods for the small parts that it would be exceptional for detailing. The only stuff I've heard bad about the idea, is that the machine itself suffers from the sawdust and that the speed that you can achieve on a metal lathe are lower than for a wood lathe. I would think though that if you already have experience on a larger metal lathe, you could probably do great things with a mini for making model parts.

For myself I plan to use my Dremel for the moment with various jigs to achieve some of my detail work, but I'm still looking at the metal mini-lathe for future expansion.

Hi Wolflrv
I have seen Brett’s pictures of his lathe it’s a great machine they don’t make them like that anymore not in China any way.
I have a small wood lathe and I do have a cross slide vice that I used on the sheppach drill press, I did think of doing something along those lines at one stage.
Down at the working with wood show they had some machines which was a combination wood lathe and router mounted in a cross slide vice and also a indexing head the things that they could make would blow me away click on the link Rose Engine

I don’t have all that much machining experience but I will have a go at most things it just takes me forever to get there but that’s ok I think I will get the siege c3 machine.
Aussie has one and he is happy with his I don’t really want to turn steel or real big jobs on it I will use the other lathe for that

RoseEngine (http://woodartbyjack.homestead.com/roseengine.html)


colbra:)

[colbra]

Hi Ross thanks for a detailed report on the lathe that was the sort of thing I needed to help make up my mind about buying it.
I would not be turning hard metals mainly timber and Plastics or nylon aluminium or brass its only small motor half horse power but you were saying that’s ok if you don’t go silly and only make light passes.
I will email you and may ask a couple of other questions about things I have been meaning to catch up before Christmas but time got away
Col:)