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Chuck size for a 9' benchtop lathe

szilvesztera

Plastic
Joined
Feb 11, 2018
Hi, newbie here. I've been wanting to get into machining for a while now, as a hobby, and I finally purchased my first piece of equipment. It's a Wabeco D2400 german benchtop lathe (bought used for 950 USD equivalent):

eszterga.jpg

It's 220mm swing with 500mm between centers, so around 9' x 20', comes with a 100mm/4' three jaw chuck. The first addition I want to make is definitely a 4 jaw independent chuck, and I think the best size would probably be 5' which I can get new for around a 130 bucks. I live in Romania, so old USSR gear is available for cheaper, but the sizes start at 160mm/6'-ish. I can get a 160mm 4 jaw independent for 50 bucks or so. Do you think this little lathe could handle a chuck that size or should I just bite the bullet on a new, more appropriately sized chuck?

Also, I want to just pour a big slab of concrete and bolt the lathe down to it to improve stability, do you think it noticeably helps? If you have any quick and easy improvement/first step ideas, I'm all ears.
 
More information on the lathe here, but no there is no comment on the OEM chuck offerings.

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But it is stated that the spindle has a 3 Morse taper with a 20 mm bore. That information indicates to me that you should not use a heavy chuck, or one larger than 125 mm in diameter. The lathe is very lightly built, so a concrete base would probably not be better than a thick timber base.

Save your concrete for a time when you get a heavier machine. Most small shops start with light machines and gradually improve with more industrial quality as time goes by and experience is gained.

Larry
 
IMO a 6'' 4 jaw will be okay, just bear in mind imbalance and speeds .....take a little extra care.


To the naysayers

It's actually German, so that knocks one of the no - no's out, .........please bear in mind the OP is in Romania where I suspect it's hard to find machine tools of any sort, so the OP probably had to take what he could get.

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Or put another way -can we lighten up guys ;) ............oh and the 9' is actually typo ,........not that any of you ever make mistakes.
 
The second section of this forum is a division for South Bend lathes:
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/
"The most Popular American Lathe"
They are much more tolerant in that part of the forum. And the size of your lathe would fit right in. I have a South Bend 9C (also bench top) that I still use regularly in my commercial shop. The SB came with a 6 inch chuck as mentioned by Larry V. I later got a better quality 5 inch that I am happier with, more because of the quality of the chuck than the size. So 5 or 6 inch would be very good.
 
In the second section of this forum is a division for South Bend lathes:
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/
"The most Popular American Lathe"
They are much more tolerant in that part of the forum. And the size of your lathe would fit right in. I have a South Bend 9C (also bench top) that I still use regularly in my commercial shop. The SB came with a 6 inch chuck as mentioned by Larry V. I later got a better quality 5 inch that I am happier with, more because of the quality of the chuck than the size. So 5 or 6 inch would be very good.
 
The chuck makes the lathe so would spring for the better chuck..what ever that may be.
know how and when to leave a skim and go to centers when needing close.

10 extra minuets going to centers can make a part 100% better.

keep a lot of stubs because they can be chucked and make a one use chucked mandrel.Yes with a having slight taper or fit then lock at taper. Some times great for back-side at flipping part.
 
How big a diameter can you swing over the apron? probably no need for a chuck any bigger then that. That seems to be the relation to the size of a steady rest for a lathe.
My Father's 9" south bend lathe came with a 5" 3 jaw and a 6" 4 jaw chuck.
Bill D.
Modesto, CAlifornia USA
 
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Regarding other improvements, an Aloris-style quick change tool post and an assortment of tool holders will make your life much easier.

I really like my Variable Frequency Drive, too!
 
Regarding other improvements, an Aloris-style quick change tool post and an assortment of tool holders will make your life much easier.

I really like my Variable Frequency Drive, too!

One of the pictures on Tony's Wabeco page shows a lathe with a little size Aa 40 position quick change tool post, like a German Multi-Suisse or AXA brand. German stuff is probably easier to get in Europe than an American Aloris. Does Aloris make one that small? Are there European copies?

Larry
 
Looks like a highly regarded German hobby and craft lathe and seems the OPs machine a steal at $900 because it seems they may run close to $3K (?)

Bed ways look like steel rolls , Threads .4 to 4. Mm and Imp 10-32, weight about 130lbs, spindle bore 3/4
*One thread I read made it seem the threading ability was an option(?).
Looks like a larger CNC might be $15K or so,
https://www.emcomachinetools.co.uk/image/data/0/wabeco/Wabecomachineprices2015.pdf

looks like the D6000 a cast iron bed 10-24 with .25-7 mm and 10-40 TPI for about $4K
inductively hardened and ground guideways..1 1/8 spindle bore optional for +$200. ball screw +$1400

*looks like the (a) better small lathe for the guy who is not so set on a lowest price. IMHO
 
Can you thread with this lathe? I do not see any provision for changing gear ratios for different thread spacing.
Bill D

I do have the optional change gear set for both metric and imperial threading. Funnily enough, it's a toothed belt + gears setup, which, together with the cylindrical guide ways makes for an oddball machine. A new chinese import similar size would've cost me almost twice as much, and old USSR gear is available, but usually starts at 2000 pounds weight, which i didn't want to commit to as a beginner. Thanks!
 
Change gears Z 16,18,20,22, 24, 28,32,34, 36, &40 optional..
One might call the company for the price..

OP bought a used machine so should not compare with new..Likely this is a better machine than a China bargain lathe.
Likely well worth the purchase of change gears.(if in good condition)

$140. plus postage a good price for gears.
Wabeco Set of 1 Change Gears

Yes best to call to be sure for the OPs lathe..

Rusty Ebay one with no change gears for almost $5K
PRAZI II APOLLO WABECO PRECISION LATHE D24-DLX + ELECTRONIC FEED 8 X 2" 115V | eBay
 
3201 euros = $3950
plus 399ur for 1 1/2 spindle bore, 110ur for change gear set..

So about $4590 US dollars for a nice but small lathe...
still likely a nice lathe..

Don't know, Don't think it has an offset tail feature for a taper..
 








 
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