I'm not sure if this belongs here in the SB forum, or the commerce forum, but since it is SB specific, and since I am not wanting to buy ALL of it now, I chose this forum.

I am just about to get my 1952 9" back in good working order. I have the headstock apart at the moment for a good inspection (I'd give it an A+), cleaning, new wicks, and painting. Going to add the serpentine belt and thrust bearing upgrades while I'm at it.

But, While reading this forum, and seeing all the things that people make with their lathes, I think there are some accessories that I want to look into.

So here goes -

1. A follower rest. This is one that I think might be more than an accessory as I can see me using it often. I would LIKE to have the telescoping type, but only to match the steady rest that I have. I have seen the one on tools4cheap, and I will probably have to go that route unless someone has the telescoping type at a reasonable price. Have you seen what the telescoping type are going for on ebay. SON-of-a-. . . . . .!!!!!

2. Milling attachment. Some people have made some nice things using one of these, and I can see me using one fairly frequently too. Maybe down the road a piece, but I still think I want one.

3. Some sort of indexing system. Might try making my own one of these, but if someone had a decent system for sale at a good price . . . . .

4. If I had #2 above I might be able to make my own one of these, but since I don't . . . a ball turner. Nice little gizmo to finish off some handles that I have in mind. I know I can make ball ends without one, but these are still kool.

5. Might also be able to make one of these if I had #2 above, but again I don't have it so . . . a double tool cross slide, or t-slot cross slide. I can see that as a good accessory for mounting different types of things. Like maybe #2 above.

6. Lastly, a telescoping taper attachment. This one is pretty far down on my list since I don't actually see me using one too often. But kool none the less. I just received the Jan/Feb 2004 edition of the Home Shop Machinist which outlines the process of making one, but it looks like it involves a lot more than I will be capable of for quite some time. Like making a new cross-feed screw, and cutting off the cross slide and adding an extension for starters.

Anyway, if anyone has one of the above items that they would like to part with, please PM me with pricing and maybe some details and pics. I think the order they are listed is the order of my preference at the moment. Might move the t-slot cross-slide up a tad. Also, I would be interested in hearing about any thing else you may have that has a high "kool" factor.

Thanks,

Wayne

Hey wayne,..

Maybe it's coincidence, but I was just about to post a similar wtb posting, but more along the lines of asking a question of what should I buy. You seem to know what you want already, and I just want to know what I need to make my machine useful and to start the learning process.

Tomorrow I pick up my 9 or 10k that I just bought (still not positive which one I bought some guys who say the pic said it was definitely a 10, but the seller says it's a 9..either way, I should be happy), and thought it'd be kewl to starting looking for things to "attach". Besides, I probably won't be able to "make" anything with it for a while, while I learn how to use it.

good luck finding what you want.

sam

Probably low or nonexistent cool factors, but a lever tailstock and homemade QCTP have been very helpful to this beginner...

Gary

gfphoto -

I bought the AXA toolpost from tools4cheap and have it installed. Me likey so far. But a lever tailstock. Mind telling me just what the hotel echo lima lima that is?? :-)


sirlancair -

I was thinking about asking a question similar to that, but then everyone asks you what you intend to do with your machine. So I started thinking about the things that I would like to make. For example - more tool holders for my QCTP for starters. That would require some milling and that, in turn, would require a milling attachment of some sort. Then I started thinking that a milling attachment would probably be much better if it was installed on a t-slot cross-slide.

I have seen several threads (and posted a couple myself) that all say sorta the same general idea. You have to know what you are going to use the lathe for and then decide what you NEED to accomplish the task. After you find out what you need to accomplish a task, that is when the KOOL factor kicks in. I don't know if I would ever use a taper attachment, but it would be kooler than snake snot to have one. Just because.

Regarding your lathe - if you don't know by now, the serial number says it all. The "K" in 13861 KAR is a light 10. A 9" would have the letter "N". My serial number is 30431 NAR 9.


Wayne

Wayne, I guess it is a 10 then cause kar is in the serial number and other people on this forum have said it looked like a 10 and one was 100% sure. Anyway, thats good news.

Now, I know I'm supposed to know what I want to make with the lathe, but I really don't know what I am gonna use it for. I just really want to learn. I used to work in a machine shop machining model airplane parts for Bob Violett Models (very cool jets) back in the early 90's....I learned a lot there, but for the most part, it was redundant stuff, and most times the machine was already set up for the production run.

Looking forward to learning and acquiring the "stuff" to make the machine useful...especially knowledge.

Sam

Sounds like we are in the same boat. In my past life I was a network analyst/engineer in a silicon valley company. Actually, a Japanese company in Silicon Valley. Anyway, I am just getting started and wanting to learn too. I had no idea what I wanted to do with the lathe, and that does make things more difficult. The short version of the longer story, it was my dad's lathe and he had it stored for 25 years or so. I inherited the lathe and then I realized that I too have had it stored for 25 years. Just decided that now was the time. So with no machining background at all, I am testing the water.

There are a couple of threads here in the SB section that gave me some inspiration. "What have you made WITH your lathe", and "What have you made FOR your lathe". There is some neat stuff in there. I have also seen pictures of other peoples work at various sites on the Internet. While I don't really have any clear goals other than my own education, I have found some things that I want to try and do for myself. I also have one selfish end in mind. My son's friend has a Vernon mill (more correctly called a jig boring machine). He needs a part or two to get it running, and if I can make the parts then I can use the machine too. One part, the collet retaining nut, seems like I will have to develope a few techniques to get done. Outside turning, boring, inside threading, inside tapering, and then figure out some way to make the nut's facets.

The more you prowl around this site and others, the more you will see things that you want to try to do for yourself. When you do find something that you want to make yourself, that will practically dictate what accessories you will need. Then there is always the argument that you want to be ready for anything that your mood strikes you with, so you simply HAVE to buy the toys. :-)

Anyway, LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Wayne

Small world, I did a bit of molding work for yellow aircraft, mostly for myself , but they were interested in how I did multi part molds and introduced me to their chinese mold maker, a young guy named Ken and I showed him how I did it. I was interested in their F14 retract gear..hence the lathe interest.
I still have the F14 , still have to make the undercarriage retracts,.
So many projects...zzzz

BVM does premium quality work but too pricey for me, I make what I need except for engines.

Now I'm interested in making a live steam locomotive, I have a SB 9" model A and I'll be looking for a mill attachment. I might just go with a mill/drill to make it simpler.

While you can mill on a small lathe with a milling attachment it is not easy and it is very time consuming both in the depth of cuts and the endless number of setups you must do. A mill drill or even a mini mill for $500 would be a huge improvement in both time and setup along with having a dedicated machine.

Unless you want to make shafts or such the steady and follow rests are not used a whole lot. You would be better off with a good quick change toolpost, Bought is usually better do to the finish and the fact the parts are hardened. For the price I recommend a Phase II piston type, the wedge is better but not needed for a general hobby machine. You can get the tool holders from CDCO for $9 a piece after you buy the standard set for around $100.

For most work this would be a good list of things needed.

Quick change tool post
tool holders, about 6-10 or more
boring bar set
counter sink set
drill set (tri-dex set)
center drill set
drill chucks (keyless for small drills and a Jacobs super chuck up to 1/2")
assortment of tool bits both HSS and brazed carbide
grinder to sharpen bits on
thread dial
thread gage tool
assortment of taps, tap handle
dead center
live center
lathe dogs
drive plate
face plate
3 jaw chuck
4 jaw chuck

The things listed above will be needed on most all the work you will do on a lathe. The milling attachment and the follow and steady may or may not be needed on a huge amount of work. In fact after almost 30 years in the Tool & Mold building business I have used a steady about 20x the follow rest twice and the taper attachment about 3x. The others things listed above I generally use most of that in a normal week of making parts on the lathe.

My .02

Sure, here's mine:



It's made drilling and tapping a lot easier.

Some sort of a turret would be cool I think.

Gary

Thank you for your insights. See my respones in your quoted text.

Wayne

gfphoto - That is interesting, and does have a little kool associated with it. But i'm afraid that something like this will have to be way down on my list for the time being.

Thanks

Wayne

If you don't have one yet, you are going to want a bandsaw, or at least a metal cutting saw of some sort.

Here's a link to an interesting and worthwhile project - keep in mind I'm linking to a much later post in the thread, but if you get a QCTP, this design looks very simple and easy:

http://madmodder.net/index.php?PHPSE...26568#msg26568

tentacles -

Amen to that brudda. I have a 14" bandsaw but it supports my woodworking habit and so is not suitable for metal. I have a 14" chopsaw, but it was GROSSLY inadequate when I tried to cut a 2 1/4" steel bar. Took over an hour and at least 1/2 of a blade just to get through it. Sheez!

So yeah, a metal cutting band saw. I have been trying to get my son's friend to get one since he has a huge shop building and I have an already crowded garage. Can't seem to get the little butt head motivated though. :-( Also been keeping an eye on craigslist, but in this area most of what you see is Ryobi, Craftsman, and Dewalt stuff. I think every Dewalt that has ever been made is making it through the local craigslist. Also seems as though I missed some legislation because I am totally surprised at the number of ladders for sale. Must be a law that everyone has to own one, or maybe that they have been made illegal.

Intersting tool holder. I like the concept. I wonder how it works. It looks like the front adjusting screw would bind when raising the cutter though.



Wayne

xeddog:

there is a milling attachment for a 9" south bend on ebay right now, no bids, and he wants an opening bid of $325. Looks pretty cool, but out of my price range right now. I don't know if I'm allowed to post ebay links here, but if you search for "milling attachment for south bend lathe" you'll find it.

HOOOoooolEEEE . . . .uh . . .cow! WAAAAY out of my price range.

Wayne

Don't get me wrong, I do not claim to be an expert by any means. I've been playing with metal working equipment for just 3-4 years and learn things each day that I try. In my opinion though, if you stick with McGruff's list you will be more than fine for awhile. I'd bet by the time you really could use one you'l be adept enough that you can figure out other ways to accomplish the task.

gp

Just my 2 cents guys, and describing myself as inexperienced is being polite, but I picked up a milling attachment for my 9" lathe about 4 years ago. I shelled out $300 for it on ebay and have not regretted it.

There are probably ways to get around any job without having the correct equipment, but having the equipment makes it much easier. If you have the time and endless patience to figure it out some other way that's great. I enjoy the process of making the part and get aggravated trying to jury rig something to get me there. I have 9 stitches in my left hand at the moment as the result of having, but not using the right equipment.

Anyway, if you can scrape the money together for a milling attachment and think you will use one, and you probably will, they're a blast to use. I didn't have the money for a dedicated milling machine. The joint checking account had enough $, but the wife disagreed.

Stnecut - I'm sure you are correct. But let me ask you this. When you want to make a doodad or a doomaflotchee that requires milling (and lets just make the assumtion that you do this occasionally), how do you accomplish the milling? Do you own or have access to a milling machine? Have you fabricated your own type of attachments, or . . .???? Unfortunately for me, I have access to none of it. At least not yet, and it may be a while before I do.

I have done some soul-searching and I really do think that, with a milling machine out of the question, I would use some sort of milling attachment or fixture. Maybe not something as fancy ( and certainly not as expensive) as the SB milling attachment. But something that would allow me to attach a workpiece and do some light milling.

I hope that I am not sounding argumentative, and I am certainly not discounting what you and others have said. It's just that from all of the things that I have seen that people have made, I truly do think I could utilize something like this. I also realize that some day I may be telling myself, "Gee, I sure wish I had listened to those guys."

rawhide - yabbut $350??? That might turn out to be a good investment since I doubt if it will go down in value any time soon, and I could probably get my money back plus some in the future. But $350??? I am in the same boat you are now. I have enough cash in the ol' checking account, but things like food, rent, heat, light, taxes, and of course SWMBO are standing in the way. Crap!


Wayne

Aaahhhh sorry guys. For some reason I had "taper attachment" in my head. I see now that we are talking about a milling attachment. But to answer you question, yes I done jobs that many folks would do on a mill. How I did/do them depends on the job I guess. I do have a decent drill press that has faked being a mill from time to time. I have cut a few key ways on the lathe. I even made the T-Nut for my tool post with a hacksaw.

Again, not an expert and not telling anyone how to do things.. I don't own a milling attachment, I have considered bidding on them at ebay from time to time, though like you cannot justify the expense. Trying to lend some encouragement, doesn't the milling attachments resemble a chunk of angle iron with a small vise bolted to it? I also remember some thread where a "milling table" was built. I actually seemed more versatile.

Over all though I'd still say "wait until you need a gadget"

Let me straighten this out since I sorta opened a can of worms. I don't hin kthat milling attachments are useless by anymeans. But they are in most cases expensive, around $300 or more fora South bend unit. you can get them asa kit from the MLA bunch, but there agin you need a mill to finish them properly. For the money you would spend you could buy a Harbor freight mini mill and providing yo uhave all that was on my above list for the lathe would for the most part be tooled for the mill withthe exception of the vise. The mini mill can be bought fro around $500, less if yo uhavea harbor freight 10-20% off coupon. I have a full size mill in my garage that I paid $800 for about 4 years ago but if I did not I would invest my money in a mini mill at that price before I bought a milling attachment for my lathe. Its more user friendly and more economical in the long run, at least in my opinion. By all means do what your wallet dictates but realize that the milling attachment is not easy to use and does dictate alot of what you can and can't do, mainly because of size and trave of the machine cross slide its on. Alot of people have used them over the years to make some really cool things but they took a lot longer to do it than a dedicated mill would take and had to do a lot of work arounds do to the restraints of the machine.

Good Luck!!