Mini Lathe Easy on off Chip Guard

[jjr2001]

The rear chip guard gets in the way when installing my taper turning attachment and the
digital caliper carriage travel tool. Both need access to the rear of the lathe.

Made up a simple stand and mounted the original chip back guard to it. Added some
plastic material to guide the chips to the main chip pan under the lathe.
This makes cleaning up the chips easier and provides access to the rear of the lathe.

Cheers, JR

[mklotz]

Once the chips are in the lathe pan there is the problem of getting them out and into the trash. Originally, I made a toothless "rake" out of a strip of wood screwed to a length of broom handle. It worked less than perfectly so I bought a cookie baking tray at a local kitchen supply and slipped that under the ways. It pulls out easily and dumps simply into the trash. It catches perhaps 90% of the chips since it doesn't fully cover the pan but the few that escape are easily corralled with the rake.

[jjr2001]

Now that got me thinking. I usually grab a bunch of them with a paper towel. I like the rake idea.
But wait, I think that old pair of plastic salad tongs would be just the ticket.

Cheers, JR

[mklotz]

Now that got me thinking. I usually grab a bunch of them with a paper towel.

Whatever you do, don't try that with stainless steel curls. Razor wire has nothing on that stuff.

[Frank S]

Whatever you do, don't try that with stainless steel curls. Razor wire has nothing on that stuff.

Marv is spot on with that comment even trying to make chip breakers don't always work on SS. I've had the stuff come off looking like a Brillo pad About the only time I do clean outs wearing gloves.

[jjr2001]

Thanks guys you both bring up very valid cautions when handling chips.
The salad tongs sound better all the time. No more pickup chips with paper towels for me.

Cheers, JR

[Hemi]

I too use a kitchen cookie sheet to "collect" the chips... I normally clean out said cookie sheet per "metal type" and save the chips for train car loads for model railroading for scrap metal loads..... At times I have mixed metals that go into a railroad gondola car as mixed scrap metal...... I LOVE it too as there is no commercial detail part for these cars that can be made to look as real as the real thing!

[jjr2001]

I too use a kitchen cookie sheet to "collect" the chips... I normally clean out said cookie sheet per "metal type" and save the chips for train car loads for model railroading for scrap metal loads..... At times I have mixed metals that go into a railroad gondola car as mixed scrap metal...... I LOVE it too as there is no commercial detail part for these cars that can be made to look as real as the real thing!

Now that is a great use for chips! Thanks for the tip.

Cheers, JR

[Hemi]

-Thanks JR!!!! As a Model Railroader and looking at the things that are well commercially sold for "loads" for different cars, and having a LOT of cars to load, you think of the $$$$ spent in loads, and then look at the cost of the cars themselves, you could buy a new car to add to the collection, after buying just 2 commercial loads. making your own from real materials also looks so much more real then the made loads sold commercially anyway.....

Plus its a way I call "The NEW Up-Cycling"......... gives those chips a whole new meaning...... and a new "life"......

[DIYer]

Thanks jjr2001! We've added your Lathe Chip Guard to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: jjr2001's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Lathe Chip Guard by jjr2001

tags: chip guards