Metal turning lathe

[lanemfg]

I notice some of the things, like what is the second motor for? the feed screw will fill up quick in it's location without protection. Also dod you get your tailstock and lathe chuck from a HF lathe?

[timcruzen]

Thanks all for your interest. This is actually the second lathe I have built. The first attempt worked, but had several shortcomings, that I corrected in my second build. I will go into a more detailed summary of this project soon. To answer some questions... The second motor was my answer to the problem of low RPM turning. I could not afford a VFD to run the main motor at low RPM's, and still retain the torque needed. I decided that a good gear motor should be able to do the job. I used a reversible, low RPM with plenty of torque, and accomplished what I needed. I need only to switch belts between motors, to switch from high to low RPM's. This lathe has no power feed, although I did consider it during the build. I opted not to add it at the time, But, I did leave the option open for the future. I've become accustomed to hand feeding, and have become quite good at it. Reverse is used primarily for threading. I use taps, and dies, along with a home made die holder. More details coming soon... Thanks again, keep checking in...

[Majaha Mathem]

I like the design ,help us with your plans if you can.

[timcruzen]

Hello all. I wanted to update my post, and add a few photos, before I continue with more project detail... For those of you that noticed the location of the lead screw, and thought it would be problematic, I considered that early on in the project. Because I wanted the action of lateral feeding to be as smooth, and friction free as possible, I decided to keep the lead screw centered between the bearings on the cross slide saddle. All I had to do was to come up with a way to keep screw clean, at least clean enough to prevent having to stop, and clean it during a project. The photos show what I use... Just a simple plastic deflector/ guard to redirect the chips/swarf. It's kind of difficult to see in the pix, but it works great. I can say in all honesty, that I have not had to stop mid project/operation, to clean the lead screw, EVER. By the way... the manual feed is ultra smooth, with no discernible resistance at all. I am very happy with my decision for the lead screw location.

This lathe was fabricated using primarily "free" materials. I'd say 80 to 85 percent of the project was "rescued" from the scrap yard. What I mean by that is... I work for a company that is very liberal about the disposition of materials, and scrap that is no longer useful to them. They let employees take scrap from the dumpster, for home projects (with the proper notification) almost always for free. I am VERY fortunate. Here's the break down: Rescued materials: Lead screw & nut (L.H. thread), Hardened bed ways, and mounts, matching bearings (4) for the cross slide, all steel plate, tubing, etc., VERY fortunate indeed! Both motors, were given to me by a co worker who intended to scrap them for the copper, again free. The only parts I had to purchase at a retail price were: 4" chuck, the cross slide/compound assembly, the tailstock assembly, and the Quick change tool post. More details coming... stay tuned in.

[timcruzen]

All - I forgot to mention... Yes, I purchased the aforementioned parts from The little machine shop. I have also purchased several tooling items from them, Milling attachment, Knurling tool, indexable turning tools, live center, etc. I have also made several tooling accessories myself, Dead centers, HSS turning bits, profile cutting bits, live center, and a few other items. Here are a few Lathe specifications:
4 " 3- jaw chuck
9" swing
18" between centers

Motor 1
3/4 H.P. 1725 RPM
115V 10.4A
Continuous duty Spindle speeds: 875 1350 2250 3450

Motor 2
1/4 H.P. 30 RPM
115V 4.6A Cont. duty
Ratio: - 58:1
Torque 400 IN. LB. Spindle speeds 24 36 58

[timcruzen]

More details ...soon. For those interested in plans... I apologize, But - I cannot help with that. I consider this lathe to be unique, & would not want it to be copied. However, I would be happy to give advice, or my opinions/ thoughts, to any who request it. I am a 57 year old Tooling specialist,(that title is rather flamboyant sounding, I don't like it much), and I really enjoy helping others with projects. I've done it for nearly 37 years, with great satisfaction. I've been employed at the same company for that long. Picking up knowledge, and passing it along when I can. I do plan on updating this post again, if there is interest, and I have other projects/ machines as well, I will share in the near future. Please let me know if I can assist you, on a project. I will help, if I can.

[timcruzen]

Thank you so much for your interest. More to come.

[timcruzen]

Thank you Paul, for your kind words. It is appreciated.

[David Hair]

if there is interest, and I have other projects/ machines as well, I will share in the near future.

I am always interested in any machine that is DIY. Ideas, Ideas, IDEAS!!!

I have a 12" Craftsman lathe that I use all the time, The only problem I run into Is the 12" limit. I am trying to design me a 24" lathe with an 18" bed. You don't need it often, but when I do I wind up having to take the piece to a machine shop. When I tell them what I'm trying to make I often get the old "Thats never going to work" or a price that is so high I can't afford the project

Dave

[old_toolmaker]

Great work, Tim!
Looks like you re-purposed a mini lathe tailstock. I noticed the round way bars. Does the carriage have linear ball bearings perhaps?