Thread: Home Shop Machinist Magazine

I didn't think there was that much that could be modified or added on the mini lathe, to be spread over 3 years.
I wouldn't mind a copy myself, if anyone out there is kind enough to do a couple of copies, willing to reimburse also I do have an article on making a taper turning attachment for the mini lathe, also some other mods on cleaning and setting up, if you're interested. I also made an ER 25 collet chuck if you are interested. What sort of things are you interested in doing to your lathe. I think it's YAHOO mini lathe group has a few articles. Model Engineers Workshop also has articles from time to time.
Kryn

Would people please be mindful of copyright etc, there is a difference between posting copyright material on a public forum and sharing a bit of info privately.

Originally Posted by oldboy

I am trying to get a copy of a series of articles which appeared in "Home Shop Machinist" magazine, starting in the September/October 2012 issue and still continuing in the current, the series is "Additions and Modification to the Mini Lathe"

Would any member who subscribes to this publication, consent to photocopying this series for me, I will cover and costs involved, I would be very grateful. I have been in contact with the publishers, however the cost for the back issues, or photocopies of the articles is well over $200.00 and as a pensioner I just can't afford it.

If you could PM me I could work out detail with you.

thank you for reading.

Oldboy (Barry)

I will have a look later

Thanks everyone for reading and replying.
Kryn I have a Real Bull 7 x 14 I have fitted tapered bearings, 100mm spindle, 4" 3 jaw chuck, as well as the 80mm 3 & 4 jaw that come with it, ER32 collet chuck and collets. I also have a 5" 4 jaw chuck for which I have to make a back plate. I heard about the series by Ted Hansen during a conversation on the Yahoo mini lathe mods site, would just like to see what was said compared to the other information out there. My background is not in engineering and I am just trying my interest and learn as much as I can while I am still above the grass, also it keeps me active, the mind working and out of the Chiefs hair. Between this and the grand kids I can't get into much trouble.

Eskimo thank you for replying I will wait anxiously to see what you can find.

Thanks again.
Barry (Oldboy)

Originally Posted by oldboy

Between this and the grand kids I can't get into much trouble.
Barry (Oldboy)

Don't bet on it Barry, the grand kids will say Pop did it and there is ALWAYS another tool or piece of equipment that is needed.
Kryn

Kryn,
you are so right there, the youngster is 12 and the oldest is nearly 15 so things can get interesting at times. I only got into this about 4 years ago, when I retired ((2005) I got interested is scrolling, the kids showed interest too. I had always wanted a mini lathe but didn't think I could justify the funds for a hobby, then the chief suggested I go ahead an get it. I also have a wood lathe and do turn some pieces. Do you have a mini lathe? and if so has it been modified.

Barry

Oldboy,
PM me your phone number and I will ring you with an offer you will like.
John

Hi Barry, I do have a Mini Lathe, as well as 2 wood lathes, a Symtec 1500 and a mini wood lathe can't remember the name but it needs a new motor. The metal lathe is a copy of the C2, fitted with a home made taper turning attachment, has had several motors, one sparked out, the second sheared the shaft inside the motor, about 6 motor pulleys and 4 belts. That at the moment, is the extent of the mods at the moment.
I'm looking at doing a belt drive conversion on my X2 mini mill, once I have this lot of projects out of the way, doing a bed stop arrangement along the X way, saw something last night for the Y, that I 'll do too, for repetitive work, as I keep breaking the gears that are inside or the cuts look like crap, to far or not enough. I have a Pen Wizard, a miniaturised hand operated "lathe" that is fitted with a Dremel that is used for doing pens, that I've modified to accept a laminate trimmer and altered the gearing so that it is fast that I use for making tractor wheels. As you can see I enjoy making stuff, as in tools and modifying things, I don't ever seem to be able to buy a tool without modifying it in some way.
I don't see my grand kids, the eldest 25, a boy, a grand daughter and another grandson I've not seen and wouldn't know how old they are, so you are lucky, enjoy them,
Kryn

Hi Kryn,
Yes I am lucky and since I have retired I have wondered how I found time to go to work. I have been involved with the for most of their lives, I have been retired foe 10 years. My son often comments that the grand kids get more of our time than they did when I was working, also I see more of the kid than he dose as he and his wife both work.

I haven't got a mill yet. I am still looking I want a fixed column, belt drive and R8 spindle. Tall order but I am still looking and still acquiring knowledge for the lathe.

Barry.

Originally Posted by oldboy

I am still looking I want a fixed column, belt drive and R8 spindle.

I can kind of understand why you might want a fixed column, but why the other two (belt drive and R8 spindle)?

I do not like the plastic gear drive of X2 type machines and rather than convert to belt drive later I would rather buy it with it already fitted. I believe that the R8 system is a better than MT3. My feelings and I already have ER32 collet system ready.

Barry

Originally Posted by oldboy

Thanks everyone for reading and replying.
Kryn I have a Real Bull 7 x 14 I have fitted tapered bearings, 100mm spindle, 4" 3 jaw chuck, as well as the 80mm 3 & 4 jaw that come with it, ER32 collet chuck and collets. I also have a 5" 4 jaw chuck for which I have to make a back plate. I heard about the series by Ted Hansen during a conversation on the Yahoo mini lathe mods site, would just like to see what was said compared to the other information out there. My background is not in engineering and I am just trying my interest and learn as much as I can while I am still above the grass, also it keeps me active, the mind working and out of the Chiefs hair. Between this and the grand kids I can't get into much trouble.

Eskimo thank you for replying I will wait anxiously to see what you can find.

Thanks again.
Barry (Oldboy)

Hi Barry (Oldboy)
Thanks for thread.

I have a slightly larger Sieg SC4 lathe that has 4" 3 & 4 jaw chucks as standard. They are never large enough, particularly the 4 jaw and they are a drag to change with the fixing nuts located between the spindle flange and the headstock.

I, like you, wish to fit 5" chucks but in my case FRONT MOUNT Chucks to somewhat overcome these limitations. My problem is how to machine 5" backplates on my lathe as these cannot be held in my current chucks to produce the back spindle locating recess. Any suggestions on how you are going to make your 5" backplate.

Also I note in a later post that you are looking for a mill with fixed column and belt drive. May I suggest that you check out a Sieg SX3 which I believe would meet your requirements.

Cheers
Ron

Ron,
Be aware that you can buy a 5" back plate from Ausee Machine Tools for attaching a 5" chuck to a Seig C4. That said what I done was attach my 160mm x 20mm round to my faceplate by drilling and tapping 6mm holding screws to hold it to the face plate. I then turned the 72mm register (I have a 100mm spindle fitted) then remove the backplate turned it around drilled and tapped for 8mm bolts, fitted to spindle turned to size and the 95mm register for the 5" chuck. I am only a novice, this may not be correct but it worked for me and to me that is what counts.

Barry

Barry

Many thanks for the info, most helpful. I had thought about directly bolting the backplate blank to the spindle but thought that the small 72mm register might produce too much wobble. Glad to know you got it to work.

I was aware of the Ausee Machine Tools 5" backplate from my internet searches but decided it did not suit my needs. Firstly the 72mm register on my spindle is undersize & this will need to be allowed for in the new backplate. Secondly I intend to fit Front Mount Chucks which have 8mm bolts that pass from the front through the body of the chuck and screw into threaded holes in the back plate. The Ausee Machine Tools BP has clearance holes where I require threads.
The front mount will make changing chucks much simpler & quicker. At the moment I dread changing chucks because of the time required to accurately recentre the 3 jaw scroll chuck when it is replaced. Both Vertex & TOS make 125mm 3 & 4 jaw chucks with the same 95mm register and 8mm front mounting bolts on the same 108mm PCD so I have a choice at a reasonable prices.

Did you use Cast Iron or Steel for your BP and where was it obtained?
Cheers
Ron