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Metal Lathe: Difference between revisions
→Full size metal lathes
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== Full size metal lathes == | == Full size metal lathes == | ||
For the sake of pipe making, I would call any lathe 9"x20" or larger to be full sized. This first number refers to the swing over the bed (or sometimes the tool carriage). This means it is possible for a 9" diameter work piece to swing over the bed, so the actual distance between the chuck center and the bed is actually slightly more than 4.5". The second number is the length of material that will fit between the chuck in the headstock, and the center in the tail stock. Many established pipe makers look for older lathes, such as those made by Atlas, Clausen, some older Sears models (these were all made by Clausen), and South Bend. The UK and the rest of Europe have many fine old lathes kicking around too (a little help here on desirable makes would be appreciated). | [[Image:Main_lathe.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Trever Talbert]]'s main lathe]] For the sake of pipe making, I would call any lathe 9"x20" or larger to be full sized. This first number refers to the swing over the bed (or sometimes the tool carriage). This means it is possible for a 9" diameter work piece to swing over the bed, so the actual distance between the chuck center and the bed is actually slightly more than 4.5". The second number is the length of material that will fit between the chuck in the headstock, and the center in the tail stock. Many established pipe makers look for older lathes, such as those made by Atlas, Clausen, some older Sears models (these were all made by Clausen), and South Bend. The UK and the rest of Europe have many fine old lathes kicking around too (a little help here on desirable makes would be appreciated). | ||
[[Image:9x20.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Harbor Freight 9x20]][[Image:chuck.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Chuck and pine test stummel]] | [[Image:9x20.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Harbor Freight 9x20]][[Image:chuck.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Chuck and pine test stummel]] | ||
[[Image:disksanding_lathe.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Disk sanding set up]][[Image:buffing_lathe.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Buffing set up]] | [[Image:disksanding_lathe.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Disk sanding set up]][[Image:buffing_lathe.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Buffing set up]] | ||
[[Image:spoonbit_lathe.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Custom Spoon Bit]][[Image:spoonbit_stummel_lathe.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Drilling by Hand w/spoon bit]] | [[Image:spoonbit_lathe.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Custom Spoon Bit]][[Image:spoonbit_stummel_lathe.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Drilling by Hand w/spoon bit]] | ||
For those not yet fortunate enough to find a quality older lathe, the new Chinese made 9" x 20" lathes are an affordable and workable option for many of us. Almost all the Chinese lathes are made in the same factory, and aside from the nameplate of the importer, the finish and accessories included, perform about the same. Popular brands include Jet, Grizzly, and Harbor Freight. While often functional, they all need to be dis-assembled, cleaned and re-assembled with good lubricants, and sometimes improved hardware and bearings. | For those not yet fortunate enough to find a quality older lathe, the new Chinese made 9" x 20" lathes are an affordable and workable option for many of us. Almost all the Chinese lathes are made in the same factory, and aside from the nameplate of the importer, the finish and accessories included, perform about the same. Popular brands include Jet, Grizzly, and Harbor Freight. While often functional, they all need to be dis-assembled, cleaned and re-assembled with good lubricants, and sometimes improved hardware and bearings. | ||
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An excellent resource for information on the Chinese 9"x2" lathes can be found on Yahoo groups. The file sections include entire manuals, as well as through cleaning procedure, and various modifications and improvements: | An excellent resource for information on the Chinese 9"x2" lathes can be found on Yahoo groups. The file sections include entire manuals, as well as through cleaning procedure, and various modifications and improvements: | ||
Main discussion site: [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/9x20Lathe/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/9x20Lathe/] and a second group, [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/9x20Lathe2/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/9x20Lathe2/] for file section spill over. | Main discussion site: [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/9x20Lathe/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/9x20Lathe/] and a second group, [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/9x20Lathe2/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/9x20Lathe2/] for file section spill over. | ||
== Mini metal lathes == | == Mini metal lathes == | ||