TTalma
Aluminum
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2008
- Location
- FairPort, NY
I spent most of the 4th weekend getting my lathe set up and running (my 9" sb homeshop). (I'll post some pics soon).
I didn't think I got a tool holder but in the box of parts and metal I got with the lathe was a lantern style holder with some armstrong tool holders for the tool bits (or whatever they are called).
There were a few bits in the box that were sharp and looked to be in good shape. So I mounted everything chucked in a piece of steel and started tunring.
I had no problem get things round with the lathe, I used my calipers and over 3" if there was a tapper it was to small for my calipers to measure so I'm very happy about that!. I'm using a Serpentine belt and the lathe works nice and smooth, and I didn't have any slipping.
The problem I did have was that the turning is not smooth. Looked more like I scratched round rather than cut it. Nothing like the pictures I see heer and elsewhere on the web where the surface is pretty smooth right off the lathe.
I thought my problem was the bits so I bought a few cheap carbide bits at Harbor freight. I figured they wouldn't last long but should cut good at first. They seemed to cut fine but again there was a scratched surface left.
I repeated this with aluminum and brass with the same results.
I did alot of searching on the internet and found out how to grind the bits. I compared these to the bits I have and they looked the same and passed the sharpness tests.
But short of showing that the cutter has to be in the centerline of the stock (which it was) I could'nt find anything that shows the angle the bit should be to the stock. I aslo couldn't find anything telling what the cutting should be like.
I was getting ribbons of steel and not taking a very heavy cut so I am not sure what I was doing wrong. I also tried all 3 speeds on the lathe with the same results.
So to sum it all up could someone point me in the right direction on how to set up the bits and how heavy a cut and how to basicly cut with the lathe.
Thanks -Tim
I didn't think I got a tool holder but in the box of parts and metal I got with the lathe was a lantern style holder with some armstrong tool holders for the tool bits (or whatever they are called).
There were a few bits in the box that were sharp and looked to be in good shape. So I mounted everything chucked in a piece of steel and started tunring.
I had no problem get things round with the lathe, I used my calipers and over 3" if there was a tapper it was to small for my calipers to measure so I'm very happy about that!. I'm using a Serpentine belt and the lathe works nice and smooth, and I didn't have any slipping.
The problem I did have was that the turning is not smooth. Looked more like I scratched round rather than cut it. Nothing like the pictures I see heer and elsewhere on the web where the surface is pretty smooth right off the lathe.
I thought my problem was the bits so I bought a few cheap carbide bits at Harbor freight. I figured they wouldn't last long but should cut good at first. They seemed to cut fine but again there was a scratched surface left.
I repeated this with aluminum and brass with the same results.
I did alot of searching on the internet and found out how to grind the bits. I compared these to the bits I have and they looked the same and passed the sharpness tests.
But short of showing that the cutter has to be in the centerline of the stock (which it was) I could'nt find anything that shows the angle the bit should be to the stock. I aslo couldn't find anything telling what the cutting should be like.
I was getting ribbons of steel and not taking a very heavy cut so I am not sure what I was doing wrong. I also tried all 3 speeds on the lathe with the same results.
So to sum it all up could someone point me in the right direction on how to set up the bits and how heavy a cut and how to basicly cut with the lathe.
Thanks -Tim