Thread: Another HELP on new lathe questions

G'day guys,

Another new member to the forum here, I am currently deployed overseas with work and reading all the posts to do with metalwork and welding on this forum over the past couple of months has certainly helped increase my knowledge no end - but also helped with killing many a spare hour too! So thanks for that.

Quick question for Footz, Im from Adelaide aswell and am interested in learning to use a lathe at TAFE, or similar, at night. So im just wonering where you are doing your course?

Thanks for all the info guys and keep it coming!

Cheers,
Dave

Dave

Don't know where footz is doing his course but I'm currently doing a TAFE machining course at the Noarlunga TAFE at night. The course runs from 1730-1930 one night per week for 12 weeks. Cost is $320 all up. The course covers lathe work, milling and surface grinding, it's been running for 4 weeks so far and is great fun (most of the class are chronologically challenged like me).

The course runs as and when they get enough to warrant running it, I put my name down earlier this year and when they had enough they rang us all up and then started the course.

Rgds - Gavin

Hi Dave
Ok I joined a few weeks ago

REGENCY PARK TRADE SCHOOL
CORNER DAYS & REGENCY RD REGENCY PK
(08) 8348-4444
The lecturers are mick eastley and bob mills.

It sounds very similiar to Gavins class.
I go every Tuesday night it starts at 5.30 pm and finishes 8.30 pm. We actually start cleaning up about 8.15 pm as the lathes have to be cleaned of swarf and floors around your area cleaned. The course starts off at making a swiveling vice, and so far it seems I gather it will let you use all the machines in the school. From the lathes to mills to grinders. There is plenty of lathes there, and so far about 6 to 8 people attend. Some are apprentices catching up on there studies others doing the vice. Some people have been there for about 3 years, they dont make the vice though they make what ever they want. You have to supply your materials, but its great one guy is making slides for his lathe at home, another was making dies to tap threads for a very old car he is restoring at home. Apparently he cant get this thread die so they made them LOL.
I just gave trade school a ring asked how do I find out about machining and they put me through from there. If you want to join just ring the above number and ask for mick eastley he is very helpful , he will invite you down you fill in a simple yes no thingy on a computer he gives you some forms to fill in. I think it cost about $300.00 or a little bit more. I don't know if this is for a course or a term. But it has shown me a bit made me spend a fortune on things I didn't realize you have to have (LOL) for home. And the teaches help out as you need. You are left to yourself and they assume you can do basic things, so it is not a full course as such but you pick up by watching and asking questions. If you don't know just ask and they show you straight away.
I am having great fun down there look forward to going tonight. If you wish I can mention it to mick, as I reckon anyone can come down for a gander and a chat. You need safety boots, and glasses. No loose fitting clothes so the normal expectations of working on power machinery.
Regarding guys doing there own thing I think what happens is you never pass at doing the vice (LOL) so you have to keep going to be able to do it, though no one does the vice hehehe.

Cheers
Gene

Gene

You are finding out what I discovered early on, the cost of the lathe is the "easy" part - you then end up spending almost as much, if not more on bits'n'pieces for it an steel stock. At one stage I reckon I spent more time out at General Tools than I did at work.

I managed to get hold of a 15 year old mill in very good nick for $200 from my brother-in-law's work - it's cost me 3 times that for cutters, vice, collets etc but it seems to be worth it.

My wife says I use the lathe to make accessories for the mill and use the mill to make gadgets for the lathe - I think she was joking (maybe) - but at least she knows where I am at night!

Rgds - Gavin

Gene and Gavin,

Thanks for the excellent information. As I am pretty new to the metal machining game both of these sound like good places to start learning. I am still out of the country for another month or so, so shall endeavour to look into both of these options on my return.

Thanks again guys - very much appreciated

Cheers
Dave.

http://www.sherline.com/grinding.htm
IF YOU LOOK HERE YOU WILL FIND A REALY EASY SYSTEM FOR TOOL SHARPENING.
Fit a simple adjustable rest to your grinder & you get consistant results.
Cleaning the wheel is important but you get a good job without special (white wheels). You may need to read it a few times, but when you try it out it all comes together.
HAPPY SHARPENING.
BARRY.

Hello all I am new to this forum, and I am not sure I am doing right.
I have question.
I just bought a metal lathe, and it is supposed to be a Honden, which is very uncommen in Denmark where I come from.
Can anyone identify it, perhaps someone has a user's manuel , it says on a little sign 1979.
I am not familier with this forum so I will show you the thing on my site.
www.baadside.dk an hope to hear from someone.
pardon my spelling.

Erik