Thread: Metal lathe.

Originally Posted by Alaks McGREGORE

No one told my dad that, he is on his second one now, he does not make his lathes like most people, he does it much different so he doesn't need anything like that, all he has is a drill angle grinder and very little time, that is why he isn't on here now, although he did bye a set of gears of ebay for it, and don't ask for plans it's all in my dads head and a little in mine, he is also building a rose engine lathe into it but he wont have a rocking headstock like most people don't ask me exactly how he is going to do it I only have a rough outline of how he is making it.

Even more intrigued in what he's up to now. A Rose Engine too eh well good on him mine is still sitting on the shelf 4 yrs now and no closer to being finished.
Is he a member of The Queensland DOT Decorative Ornamental Turners group which meets through the Queensland Woodworkers club?

He sure sound like an interesting bloke.

He is interesting but he is a full time dad while my mum works and I am home schooled so he doesn't have much time for building and not for forums so he isn't part of any groups, he just makes it up himself from ideas of the internet but nothing he makes is like anything that is anywhere when it comes to OT.

Originally Posted by Alaks McGREGORE

He is interesting but he is a full time dad while my mum works and I am home schooled so he doesn't have much time for building and not for forums so he isn't part of any groups, he just makes it up himself from ideas of the internet but nothing he makes is like anything that is anywhere when it comes to OT.

Hi Aleks,
welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to do metal work,
Just tell your dad that instead of getting ideas of the internet, use this forum instead

Phil

ps he sounds like my dad, can do great stuff, but doesn't think it is worth showing anyone

Here was I thinking Andre was a bit of a freak. Now we have a 13 year old that wants to buy a metal lathe, and has a budget to do it.

Congratulations Alaks.

More inportantly. I noticed you mention home schooled, in post # 18. You owe your mother & father a big hug tonight.

I went back and re-read your first post. That was as well structured and grammically correct as the rest of us do. Kuddo's for that, and a compliment to your parents.

Watch the Ebay thread, if there is a lathe for sale, these guys will find it.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/ebay-other-auctions-metalwork-stuff-149643/

Pay some attention to the safety messages, you are all too young to have some thing ripped off. But its not that bad, as long as you are aware of the dangers.

I wish you well.

Phil.

[QUOTE= More inportantly. I noticed you mention home schooled, in post # 18. You owe your mother & father a big hug tonight.

I went back and re-read your first post. That was as well structured and grammically correct as the rest of us do. Kuddo's for that, and a compliment to your [\QUOTE]

Thanks I am actually pretty bad at English but I can do writing fine, I am trying my hand at writing a book and it's only cause there is no other way of getting ideas out of your head, but that can't all go to my dad, I used to use a forum with a grammar nazie, that helped me a lot.
Anyway, back to the task at hand, is there like a chart or something that says how big a lathe will turn what diameter metal? I know it will be depend on the lathe a lot but as a really rough estimation?
Ps, the quote thingy broke, and if you like when my dad has finished the lathe (he is taking his time though) I will ether make him do a thread or at the very least I will make one with lots of pics and I will get him to answer questions if I can.

Alaks, the 'quote thing broke' because you accidentally deleted a bracket.

Every lathe is defined first and foremost by it's 'envelope'. You will hear lathes described as 10 x 24 or 14 x 40. Those numbers refer to the maximum diameter ('swing') and length ('between centres') it can theoretically accept. I say theoretically because you wouldn't try to turn a workpiece 10 inches by 24 (250mm x 600mm) in a 10 x 24 lathe. It would be too heavy. But you could turn a shaft 600 long, OR a flywheel 250 across.

PS: Be careful about swing and centre height. The former is diameter, the latter radius, but some people confuse them.

In regards to knowing how big of a piece of material whether that be length or diameter a lathe can accommodate,for a new lathe that will be given in the lathe specs,diameter will be usually given as swing either over the bed and or carriage,length will be the between centres measurement but generally does not take into consideration chucks or face plates.

If looking at 2nd hand lathes you would have to physically check the dimensions yourself or ask the seller,if the lathe was a more common machine a search of the internet with lathe model/type should produce results.

Originally Posted by Bryan

Every lathe is defined first and foremost by it's 'envelope'. You will hear lathes described as 10 x 24 or 14 x 40. Those numbers refer to the maximum diameter ('swing') and length ('between centres') it can theoretically accept. I say theoretically because you wouldn't try to turn a workpiece 10 inches by 24 (250mm x 600mm) in a 10 x 24 lathe. It would be too heavy. But you could turn a shaft 600 long, OR a flywheel 250 across.

PS: Be careful about swing and centre height. The former is diameter, the latter radius, but some people confuse them.

As a general guide if a lathe has a 10" swing then although it can do that diameter part, you really want to aim for most of your work (say 75 to 80%) being around half that - say 5 to 6" diameter (125 to 150mm) or less. While you can do up to the envelope size it gets awkward. No such problems with length.

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

As a general guide if a lathe has a 10" swing then although it can do that diameter part, you really want to aim for most of your work (say 75 to 80%) being around half that - say 5 to 6" diameter (125 to 150mm) or less. While you can do up to the envelope size it gets awkward. No such problems with length.

Michael

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted.

I am posting a thread to somewhere showing my lathes off, well, technically dads lathes.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Alex its commendable what your doing at your age as has been said before wish I had and not waited till I was 57.

Not knowing where you are in QLD here's an ideal modlers lathe but which has the possibilities to do much more yes its old but they are solid I have just bought one recently and this one has lots to go along with it Metal Lathe | Miscellaneous Goods | Gumtree Australia Brisbane South East - Cannon Hill

Hi there welcome to the metal world,I recon you should go for that Hercus listed here seems like its well equipped and would think a deceased family member.Unfortunately in days past Dad's never wanted their kids to toil in amongst grease dirt and swarf.When death or infirmity catches up most family members do not or have not the knowledge of these items or best disposal.I say from the look of this gear go for it you never know how you present your case as a youngster what deal you may gain.Make your mistakes on an older machine aquire and hone your skills and learn that machines misgivings, then move on to better later on.Most of the metal workers here did their training on these Hercus lathes and still are capable of good work.Go for it laddie.

Originally Posted by j.ashburn

Hi there welcome to the metal world,I recon you should go for that Hercus listed here seems like its well equipped and would think a deceased family member.Unfortunately in days past Dad's never wanted their kids to toil in amongst grease dirt and swarf.When death or infirmity catches up most family members do not or have not the knowledge of these items or best disposal.I say from the look of this gear go for it you never know how you present your case as a youngster what deal you may gain.Make your mistakes on an older machine aquire and hone your skills and learn that machines misgivings, then move on to better later on.Most of the metal workers here did their training on these Hercus lathes and still are capable of good work.Go for it laddie.

Thanks, I have shot them an email and see if they get back to me.
On another and completely unrelated note how do you upload pics from a phone?

Originally Posted by j.ashburn

Hi there welcome to the metal world,I recon you should go for that Hercus listed here seems like its well equipped and would think a deceased family member.Unfortunately in days past Dad's never wanted their kids to toil in amongst grease dirt and swarf.When death or infirmity catches up most family members do not or have not the knowledge of these items or best disposal.I say from the look of this gear go for it you never know how you present your case as a youngster what deal you may gain.Make your mistakes on an older machine aquire and hone your skills and learn that machines misgivings, then move on to better later on.Most of the metal workers here did their training on these Hercus lathes and still are capable of good work.Go for it laddie.

Ah its a Myford not a Hercus.

Originally Posted by Alaks McGREGORE

Thanks, I have shot them an email and see if they get back to me.
On another and completely unrelated note how do you upload pics from a phone?

Your 13 you should be telling us how to do this LOL

Easiest way download to the PC etc and then upload.