Wadkin LQ doing some cast Iron milling

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29th June 2019, 10:03 PM
auscab

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Wadkin LQ doing some cast Iron milling

I just got a new small three point steady for my Woodfast lathe from Carbatec. They are made to fit a couple of the Carbatec lathes . I thought Ill get it and do what I have to to try and make it work on my lathe .
Its was a little high and didn't fit the lathe bed so I tried machining it with the Wadkin LQ .
First time Ive tried cast iron with the LQ. Ive done mild steel a few times.

I started with a HSS bit ( first Picture) but found out that wasn't going to work without coolant . The heat built up and the cutters fastest outer spinning sharp points went dull quickly. I couldn't get the square Oak column I was using to hold the steady wet so I switched to a second hand 19mm shaft tungsten cnc cutter with a chipped tooth on one side.
It went well . Tungsten eats this cast iron with ease .

Here's a video of the cutting.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzSjn2BA_NG/

Attachment 457068 Attachment 457069 Attachment 457070

Rob
29th June 2019, 10:22 PM
Vann

Quote:

Originally Posted by auscab

...Tungsten eats this cast iron with ease...

Very nice. Can I ask what speed the cutter is turning at? And do you know what speed a metal machinist would use?

Cheers, Vann.
29th June 2019, 10:34 PM
auscab

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vann

Very nice. Can I ask what speed the cutter is turning at? And do you know what speed a metal machinist would use?

Cheers, Vann.

I've forgotten the two speeds my Machine does Vann . It could be in one of my Old posts on the LQ ? Not sure though.
We discussed it in a message once and I was going to write it on the machine but didn't.
When I first got it I worked it out and compared it to milling speeds on a chart I have and it was pretty close to the right speed for cast iron I think . Ill try and look it up .

Rob
1st July 2019, 12:25 PM
Gaza58

Often wondered how close those Carbatec Steady rests were to fitting the Woodfast lathe... Might have to invest in one and get it machined.
Gaza
2nd July 2019, 12:52 AM
auscab

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaza58

Often wondered how close those Carbatec Steady rests were to fitting the Woodfast lathe... Might have to invest in one and get it machined.
Gaza

As the come from Carbatec they sit on the bed of the Woodfast but don't locate . They would work just clamped down tight enough . I made a wooden bit for the under side. Machining it gets it locating, sitting lower and increases the work diameter hold.
They are a pretty rough thing as they come . The original machining of its base was out of whack and it rocked on my lathe bed. The three arms have a lot of play as well but locked down with the knobs should work
I just pushed all three arms out and locked them where the three bearings all met and centering that on my tailstock live center gave me something to aim for by scribeing the base and machining to that . Not highly accurate . Its better than it was though.

Rob