Hafco AL-336 Metal Lathe Cutting Imp Threads

[steran50]

HI All, I have a Question for all the AL-336 Owners or anyone that may know the Answer. I have been looking at the Hafco Lathes AL-320G, AL-335 and the AL-336 as to which to Buy in the Near Future (Late this or early next Year). I decided on the AL-336 . Anyway for My Question the Lathe can Cut both Metric and Imperial Threads. The Thread Dial however is only designed for Metric. So how does one Cut Imperial Threads with a Metric designed Thread Dial ?. I have had a go on My Hercus Model A Lathe cutting a 1/2" Thread using the Dial. which I understood to be the only way possible. I have'nt done any other Thread Cutting on my Hercus ,because I need to fix the Back Gearing up. I certainly will be Cutting Threads on the Al-336 when I hopefully Buy one.
What do other Owners think of the Hafco AL-336 Metal Lathe ?.
Thankyou.
All the Best steran50 Stewart

[pipeclay]

If the lathe has a metric lead screw you will have to cut your threads with the clasp nut engaged all the time.
When you get to the end of what your threading withdraw your tool and reverse the spindle,then set cutting depth and start process over untill you reach the correct depth of thread.
As long as you are able to reverse the spindle there is no need to use the chasing dial on single point threads on your hercus lathe if you dont wish to.

[steran50]

HI , The Hafco AL-336 has a Imperial Leadscrew (I just checked).I am not concerned so much with Cutting Threads on My Hercus. As I will just fix it up -I have the Parts- and then sell it. My question is only how does one Cut Imperial Threads on the Hafco AL-336 when the Thread Chasing Dial is designed for Metric.
Thankyou.
All the Best steran50 Stewart

[pipeclay]

You would not use the Chasing Dial, leave the Clasp nuts engaged and REVERSE the machine.
Seeing the Lathe has an Imperial Lead Screw you may be able to source or make the appropriate gearing to be able to utilize your Chasing Dial on the Imperial Lead Screw.
In other words you would cut your Threads as if your Lathe was NOT fitted with a Chasing Dial.

[Kody]

Do a search for "Screwcutting for beginners" here on this forum. Also copy and go to this website https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...ers#post868957

It is devoted to screwcutting and should give you all the answers to your question.

Kody

[brisbanefitter]

why would it have an imperial leadscrew and a metric thread dial????

my understanding is metric leadscrew will cut metric threads with metric dial, imperial leadscrew will cut imperial thread with imperial dial.

to cut imperial thread on metric leadscrew leave half nuts in, and vice versa.

or just leave them in all the time, cant possibly stuff up your thread then.

It makes no sense to me that the leadscrew be imperial and have a thread dial to cut metric threads given you cant drop in an dout of metric thread on imperial screw machine.

[franco]

Stewart,

My understanding is the same a brisbanefitter's: you can use the thread dial when cutting metric threads with a metric leadscrew or imperial threads with an imperial leadscrew on a simple lathe like this one, but not vice versa.

I had a look at the list of specifications, and suspect there might be a misprint in relation to the thread dial being used for metric threads - I've been wrong before though. In the written part of the specs it says;

"Thread cutting facilities in metric with a reversible leadscrew"

which seems to infer that the half nuts should be left engaged.

I have a similar lathe with an 8 TPI leadscrew, and the thread dial appears to be identical to the one in the photo included with the specifications of the AL336. On mine this thread dial works for imperial threads only, and the half nuts must be left closed and the lathe reversed between cuts when cutting metric threads. On a lathe of this type with an imperial leadscrew I cannot see how a simple thread dial of the type shown could possibly be used for cutting metric threads with the imperial lead screw.

If the spec is correct, I would be very interested to know how it works.

Frank

[new_guy90]

HI All, I have a Question for all the AL-336 Owners or anyone that may know the Answer. I have been looking at the Hafco Lathes AL-320G, AL-335 and the AL-336 as to which to Buy in the Near Future (Late this or early next Year). I decided on the AL-336 . Anyway for My Question the Lathe can Cut both Metric and Imperial Threads. The Thread Dial however is only designed for Metric. So how does one Cut Imperial Threads with a Metric designed Thread Dial ?. I have had a go on My Hercus Model A Lathe cutting a 1/2" Thread using the Dial. which I understood to be the only way possible. I have'nt done any other Thread Cutting on my Hercus ,because I need to fix the Back Gearing up. I certainly will be Cutting Threads on the Al-336 when I hopefully Buy one.
What do other Owners think of the Hafco AL-336 Metal Lathe ?.
Thank you.
All the Best steran50 Stewart

you don't disengage the lead screw you simply pull the tool out, turn the lathe off and put it into reverse

shop around for lathes im just comparing that AL335 with the steel master branded one and its a few hundred more from Hafco

oh and from what i know if the thread dial can be used for both metric and imperial then it would have a change of gears to run on the lead screw

[steran50]

HI ALL,
Thankyou for Your Help Everyone. I have a better understanding now. I just found out the other Day. That My Boss and Myself have to go to Dandenong in late August for Service School at Yamaha for a couple of Days. Where we stay is just across the Road a bit from Hare and Forbes. So hopefully I get some Time to have a look at some Lathes and ask some Questions.
I looked at the Steemaster SM-1236A which is the equivalent of the Hafco AL-335. It is Cheaper ,but only for this Month of July. Then the Steelmaster will be $500.00 Dearer. It would be a hard toss up between the Steelmaster and the AL-335. The Al-335 is normally Cheaper and the Cabinet Stand is included in the Price. The Steelmaster however has some good Options - Covered Leadscrew, Quick change Toolpost and Micrometer Stops both ends (shows em in Picture) . The Steelmaster Cabinet Stand is however an Extra Cost. I chose the Hafco AL-336 on its Wider Speed range, Footbrake and the Coolant pump is Standard.
The AL-336 come with Change Gears for both Metric and Imperial Thread Cutting.
All the Best Steran50 Stewart

[Retromilling]

HI All, I have a Question for all the AL-336 Owners or anyone that may know the Answer. I have been looking at the Hafco Lathes AL-320G, AL-335 and the AL-336 as to which to Buy in the Near Future (Late this or early next Year). I decided on the AL-336 . Anyway for My Question the Lathe can Cut both Metric and Imperial Threads. The Thread Dial however is only designed for Metric. So how does one Cut Imperial Threads with a Metric designed Thread Dial ?. I have had a go on My Hercus Model A Lathe cutting a 1/2" Thread using the Dial. which I understood to be the only way possible. I have'nt done any other Thread Cutting on my Hercus ,because I need to fix the Back Gearing up. I certainly will be Cutting Threads on the Al-336 when I hopefully Buy one.
What do other Owners think of the Hafco AL-336 Metal Lathe ?.
Thankyou.
All the Best steran50 Stewart

As far as I know the AL 336 has an instant stop foot brake so you don't need to use a thread chasing dial at all!
Forget the thread dial , just select whatever thraed you want either by , gear box or change gears or both. Set up to cut the thread and when the tool is at the finnishing hit the foot brake. Everything stops . back out the tool , reingage the drive direction lever to reverse and return back to the start of the thread and stop again . Reset the tool deeper and repeat untill thread is cut.
You will only need the thread dial if you disengage the half nuts lever and even then there is a way of resetting the tool to the thread without using a thread dial.
Thats how my foot brake lathe works and I never use a thread chasing dial.

[matthew_g]

THE AL336 is a fairly new lathe to hare and forbes so it has not had much time in the feild for a rating.I would go the little extra and get an AL-340a a great lathe extra features such as coolant foot brake slide out chip tray and it come already assembled.Just my 2 cents worth Regards Matt

[matthew_g]

you don't disengage the lead screw you simply pull the tool out, turn the lathe off and put it into reverse

shop around for lathes im just comparing that AL335 with the steel master branded one and its a few hundred more from Hafco

oh and from what i know if the thread dial can be used for both metric and imperial then it would have a change of gears to run on the lead screw

don't forget to add gst with assett plant and machinery

[Retromilling]

The only real difference that I have found between an Imperial lead screw and a Metric is that you will only be able to use a metric thread gauge with a metric screw and an Imperial gauge with an imperial screw.
You will have to do a bit more change gear swapping to cut the whole range of metric threads with an Imperial lead screw and visa versa.
However the thread gauge issue dissapears with an instant stop foot brake and the change gears issue is reduced with a quick change thread selection gear box .
Meaning that a wider range of threads is available for each single change gear selection.
However you still have to have a different change gear setup for the whole Metric or Imperial thread range on most smaller lathes .
If you were going to use a lot of Metric threads then a Metric lead screw is prefered.
However for the hobbiest it does not make a huge difference one way or the other especially if the lathe has a footbrake .
IMHO.

[steran50]

HI ALL,
I went to Hare and Forbes Late Monday Arvo with my Boss. I spoke to a Salesman about Cutting Imperial Threads on the AL-336. Basically He said it does'nt matter whether it is a $2000.00 or a $20,000.00 Machine. You leave the Half Nuts engaged all the time and reverse the Machine. This is what a lot of You Guys had already said.
As for their Lathes, Yes I had a good look at them. I was quite suprised at the solidness of the AL-320G a nice Machine. I had a good look and play with the AL-335 better than the AL-320G obviously. The AL-960B really good, very smooth in the Hand Wheels and well made. I looked at the AL-340A Really Nice Hey mathew_g do You or does anyone else have this Machine? and what do You think of it. Unfortunately there was No AL-336 in stock at all they even checked out Back for Me.
Their Metal Lathes have certainly improved over the Years. I remember looking at the Lathes about 6 Years ago at Hare and Forbes in Clayton. They are noticably better built and finished, I also remember the Hand Wheels being really Stiff on them.
One thing I noticed in the Catalogue about the AL-335, AL-336 is that they have got a lot less (40mm) Cross Slide Travel than the AL-960B.
I need to have a good think and study of the Lathes now. I was'nt going to Spend any More Money than the AL-336, but I am now thinking of the AL-960B and also the AL-340A. Oh well I had better start saving some more Dollars.
All the Best steran50 Stewart

[.RC.]

I would check out the other dealers as well, see what their range is...