Thread: bolt down or machine feet

Hi azzrock,
I was always lead to believe that Sheet Lead was far better.
The older Lead was slightly thicker & 2 pieces worked well. Cuts Vibrations & Noise.
If you wish to change, you just cut a U shape out & slip it under.

nice mr tree. very interesting. the rubber im using is like steel belted. its used to put under very large gantry rails. 100 t plus. i can see why lead would have its advantages.
im really wondering if i should do a final level and bolt it down or make some machine feet for the old thing

Each to there own but for a lathe the size of a Hercus I wouldnt worry about bolting it down.

Level it preferably with an engineers level,use a reasonable size packer under each of the 4 corners of the cabinet ,say around 3" to 4" square or rectangular in a variety of thicknesses.

Wouldnt worry about rubber or anything to absorb shock etc.

You want the lathe seated on a base that has eliminated rock.

Generally for the size of the machine you wont be doing anything to big,probably your worst case would be useing the Face plate or 4 jaw with a job offset and not counterweighted.

If this is the case and the lathe appears to get the death wobbles slow it down or counterweight it.

thanks again pipe clay

The procedure is detailed in the front of The Text book of Turning.
Correct mounting is essential to accurate work.
G

hi finnowa. i have read that book.thats what lead me down the bolt down path to start with. after thinking about it for a while i thought id ask here what others had done with there lathes,

I bolted my cabinet (Hercus steel) to the concrete floor, then installed the lathe as per Hercus instuctions using new dubbo washers (plastic washers that go under the feet)
Then used a level on the bed as I tightened the bolts.
Next is to turn a couple of shoulders and check as per the TBOT and adjust if needed.

Graeme,

Have you any photos of your installation showing the Dubbo washers and their location. Azz has a 9, Might be a little different to the 260. ( Mine's still free floating 'cause I'm lazy )

BT

Bob,
You cannot see anything of the washers etc, but for what its worth I will post a pic
Actually you can! That is the Dubbo washer under the foot.
Graeme

Further to the discussion.
During my search for information I came across early Southbend literature (IIRC)
that quoted the method used to improve accuracy of home lathes used to assist in manufacture during the war.
They recommended bolting to a rigid level structure and detailed a couple of methods
depending on the situation.
One being the bolt down the headstok and leave the tail free to float. This is also in The text book of turning.
G

thanks for the photo. and advice. my tail stock end is hand tight only.in that photo where are the chuck keys. and other junk you keep there?

Originally Posted by Finnowa

Bob,
You cannot see anything of the washers etc, but for what its worth I will post a pic
Actually you can! That is the Dubbo washer under the foot.
Graeme

You won't find any junk on Graeme's tray Azz. He uses it for a mirror !

ya bob i was very impressed. i like the blue colour as well. just shows how many bad habits have crept in to my work methods. even when i clean up my tray there is still a couple of things skulking around that end.