Got a new tool this week
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Score - My Dad & I had a machine shop for awhile we had 4 dual head drill presses 1930's vintage with hyd controls on the heads and the tables, they were our bread and butter units - We also had 4 lathes, a craftsman, for minor shop parts, a mongral about the size of Bob's for larger repairs and small setup jobs, a 11 foot bed 12 " swing and a 20 ft bed with a 16" bed - We would get a lot of 1-10 piece jobs from the bigger shops that did'nt want to set up for small jobs that were part of a larger order - Almost forgot the Bridgeport Mill, that was a fun machine.
One of the machine shops that I use now have all belt drive machines that are powered by a Ford Flatmotor - Its facinating to watch thos thing in motion.
One of the machine shops that I use now have all belt drive machines that are powered by a Ford Flatmotor - Its facinating to watch thos thing in motion.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
Congrats, Bob! bridgeport's next.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Eagan, MN
Congrats on the new tool (toy). I had a welding/machine shop for 17 years and a good lathe can be very useful. You'll probably want a dial indicator for centering pieces and a caliper if you don't already have one. Hope you have fun learning about what can be done with your lathe.
Grant
Grant
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 581
Likes: 2
From: Byron Bay Australia
Of course you do know this will only lead to you daydreaming about a milling machine and then.......
after you get used to having and owning a lathe you will wonder how on earth you managed without one for so long, because it opens up so many ways of doing things differently. Have fun with it John
after you get used to having and owning a lathe you will wonder how on earth you managed without one for so long, because it opens up so many ways of doing things differently. Have fun with it John
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
Likes: 3,126
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Suggest you invest in two more things to make life more enjoyable as you learn to and use your lathe: A three jaw universal chuck. ( I don't see anything but a collet chuck there) and an up to date quick change tool post with an assortment of holders. You'll use a chuck more than you will the collets and trying to do anything with multiple operations with those old rocker style tool posts and tool holders is a real pain in the putz.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
Nice new toy Bob.
I've used my clausing lathe for all kinds of projects. I added a variable speed drive and 3phase motor to make speed changes a snap. A three jaw chuck and quick change tool post definitely will make life much easier
You will be amazed how many things you'll find uses for it once you start turning metal
I've used my clausing lathe for all kinds of projects. I added a variable speed drive and 3phase motor to make speed changes a snap. A three jaw chuck and quick change tool post definitely will make life much easier
You will be amazed how many things you'll find uses for it once you start turning metal
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: White Hall , Illinois
I enherited a Craftsman metal lathe from my dad. He bought it from sears in 1960 's and never got to use it. I got it hooked up and love it. Takes a little practice , but you can make about anything. I would love to have all those collets , one thing I don't have. The older ones are made better I think. Have fun with it ,but be safe they can really do some damage if not used properly ,holes in the wall and bloody fingers!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 892
Likes: 85
From: Western Massachusetts
I also have an old Craftsman that my Dad had. I'm not very skilled with it but I'm learning. Ross, I followed your tech article to freshen up the column shifter and used the lathe to fit the new end on the shaft. Great tool and fun to use. Enjoy.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 545
Likes: 15
From: Columbus, IN
I am not familiar with a Wade, but from the looks of the machine, I would say they were patterned along the lines of the Hardinge toolroom lathes, which are considered a premier machine.
Since your lathe has a collet closer, it would have to have been used for either production, and/or high accuracy. Since it has a quick-change gearbox, pretty standard tailstock, and an apron with half-nut and feed levers, I would say it was employed for very accurate toolroom work. Production/second-operation machines usually had turret tailstocks, rapid feed levers, and the like to do parts and operations quickly.
If it is indeed a quality machine, you will fall in love with it. The lathe has always been my go-to machine in the shop for most jobs.
Regarding a three-jaw chuck: while they are good for quick chucking, their accuracy over time is not great. If I were you, I would also invest in a quality four-jaw for greater accuracy, and for those odd shaped jobs that invariably come along.
J.D. (toolmaker for the past 35 years or so).
Since your lathe has a collet closer, it would have to have been used for either production, and/or high accuracy. Since it has a quick-change gearbox, pretty standard tailstock, and an apron with half-nut and feed levers, I would say it was employed for very accurate toolroom work. Production/second-operation machines usually had turret tailstocks, rapid feed levers, and the like to do parts and operations quickly.
If it is indeed a quality machine, you will fall in love with it. The lathe has always been my go-to machine in the shop for most jobs.
Regarding a three-jaw chuck: while they are good for quick chucking, their accuracy over time is not great. If I were you, I would also invest in a quality four-jaw for greater accuracy, and for those odd shaped jobs that invariably come along.
J.D. (toolmaker for the past 35 years or so).
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
Likes: 3,126
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Some of you guys are talking a foreign language when it comes to the different types of tooling and attachments. This just means I'll have to get with my neighbor for some one on one tutoring.
I have thought of a few parts I can make with this machine, what have you guys made with yours? I'd like some ideas, I'm sure there are many that I haven't thought about.
I have thought of a few parts I can make with this machine, what have you guys made with yours? I'd like some ideas, I'm sure there are many that I haven't thought about.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 545
Likes: 15
From: Columbus, IN
I know it may seem daunting at this point Bob, but with persistance, and care, you can get to where you will be quite proficient with your lathe.
May I suggest you download "How To Run A Lathe", originally published by South Bend Lathe in 1930. This handy little booklet gives the basics on how to care and feed you average engine lathe. While the lathes in the booklet are South Bends, and are pretty old, most of the information is applicable to about any lathe.
The publication can be downloaded for free here: http://www.wswells.com/data/htral/1930_htral.pdf
Be aware that the file size is about 70 MB.
Another good resource is "Machine Tool Operation: The Lathe", by Henry Burghardt. There are several editions of this book, going all the way back to about 1918. Try to find one of the later editions from the 40's or 50's.
Hope this has helped.
By the way, if you are patient, you can get most machine tool books for literally a song. Don't get snookered into buying some $50 book on Ebay.
J.D.
So you know I am not feeding you bull, here are a few shots of my shop where I go to play on weekends.
May I suggest you download "How To Run A Lathe", originally published by South Bend Lathe in 1930. This handy little booklet gives the basics on how to care and feed you average engine lathe. While the lathes in the booklet are South Bends, and are pretty old, most of the information is applicable to about any lathe.
The publication can be downloaded for free here: http://www.wswells.com/data/htral/1930_htral.pdf
Be aware that the file size is about 70 MB.
Another good resource is "Machine Tool Operation: The Lathe", by Henry Burghardt. There are several editions of this book, going all the way back to about 1918. Try to find one of the later editions from the 40's or 50's.
Hope this has helped.
By the way, if you are patient, you can get most machine tool books for literally a song. Don't get snookered into buying some $50 book on Ebay.
J.D.
So you know I am not feeding you bull, here are a few shots of my shop where I go to play on weekends.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 545
Likes: 15
From: Columbus, IN
And by the way, do get with your neighbor! A good Elmer to show you the ropes in any technical/skilled field is almost a must. Furthermore, in the machine tool trade, old machinsts and toolmakers are beginning to get scarce. Avail yourself of all the knowledge the gent can supply.
J.D.
J.D.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
Likes: 3,126
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
A mill is the machine I have been looking for. My neighbor, the same guy, has a small mill in his garage. I would like to find a good one. I've gone to a few auctions but I really don't feel comfortable buying without some one who knows mills along with me.
Also, thanks for the link, I have it saved in my "Lathe" file.
Also, thanks for the link, I have it saved in my "Lathe" file.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
"mrpete222" (aka tubalcain) has an excellent series of videos on machine shop practices on YouTube. For instance: MACH SHOP TIPS #82 tubalcain Bought a used South Bend Lathe - YouTube
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Here is another site with a lot of how to's - Usually oldtime articles - lots of home made machines
Knucklebuster » How To
Knucklebuster » How To