What type of work do you do on them? I like the prop blade in the corner, back story?
Who's got lathes?
- Thread starter brats.n.harleys
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What type of work do you do on them? I like the prop blade in the corner, back story?
dcmus
Well-known member
I have a 12x36 Shop Fox lathe and 49 mill, also Shop Fox. Both new. I know there's higher quality machines out there but both are vastly more capable than me
macgyver37
Well-known member
I'll join in with mine. My first lathe was a SB9 in very good shape and I used it alot but grew tired of the limit in capacity so I traded it off and got a SB 14.5 that I went through and really liked it, used it all the time, then picked up a 18x96 SB and had those 2 for quite some time.
Decided to go into business with the shop and traded up to a gear head lathe and larger through hole than the SB's. I found a 1955 Clausing Colchester 15x48, 2" though hole and came with a taper attachment and coolant pump, it is a L series spindle, I have a couple 3 jaws chucks and a 4 jaw for it and just got a collet closer that I still have to install. I am also looking at a Jacobs collet chuck. I will admit that while I think it is a better machine overall than the SB, it doesn't have the ergonomics that the old 14.5 did, but I'll live with it for now. I found a Mazak manual that I kinda want.
Anyway, I wanted a small lathe with some rpm, found this 1965 Schaublin 102, it is a 2nd op lathe, extremely well built. Lever tailstock, lever cross slide with 2 stations on it. It has an indexing plate built in, collet closer, foot brake, coolant pump. Very sweet swiss made lathe. Down side is it uses W20 collets which are expensive.
Lastly, I wanted to fill out my capacity so when I found this 24x144 lathe here in town, I jumped on it. It is a 1927 American Tool Works. This is still a cone head machine, but has been fitted with a transmission to drive the spindle. It came with all the goodies as well and has been great to have. I got it from a local that put it in his shop over 60 years ago and he passed a few years ago and his kids sold it to me. They were pretty emotional about it leaving as they had all grown up with it being the center of his machine shop.
Decided to go into business with the shop and traded up to a gear head lathe and larger through hole than the SB's. I found a 1955 Clausing Colchester 15x48, 2" though hole and came with a taper attachment and coolant pump, it is a L series spindle, I have a couple 3 jaws chucks and a 4 jaw for it and just got a collet closer that I still have to install. I am also looking at a Jacobs collet chuck. I will admit that while I think it is a better machine overall than the SB, it doesn't have the ergonomics that the old 14.5 did, but I'll live with it for now. I found a Mazak manual that I kinda want.
Anyway, I wanted a small lathe with some rpm, found this 1965 Schaublin 102, it is a 2nd op lathe, extremely well built. Lever tailstock, lever cross slide with 2 stations on it. It has an indexing plate built in, collet closer, foot brake, coolant pump. Very sweet swiss made lathe. Down side is it uses W20 collets which are expensive.
Lastly, I wanted to fill out my capacity so when I found this 24x144 lathe here in town, I jumped on it. It is a 1927 American Tool Works. This is still a cone head machine, but has been fitted with a transmission to drive the spindle. It came with all the goodies as well and has been great to have. I got it from a local that put it in his shop over 60 years ago and he passed a few years ago and his kids sold it to me. They were pretty emotional about it leaving as they had all grown up with it being the center of his machine shop.
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Dennis Leigh Henry
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600SL
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Justanoldguy
Well-known member
I have an old 1947 English Myford lathe and also a wood lathe.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Those Rockwell vertical mills are really nice machines for what they are capable of, fairly versatile. Thanks for posting pictures of your lathes..
Dennis
fnieto
Well-known member
Yes, I love the Rockwell...when I build my shop later this year I plan to get a full size mill, but I don't think I'll ever let go of the Rockwell. It's easy to operate, and very accurate.(not to mention I can move it without a forklift)
Thanks, Steve
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Very nice, clean and organized machining area. Well thought out by the looks of it as well.
Mike.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I looked closely at this lathe before purchasing my last one. Looks like a nice unit.
Mike.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Very nice, clean and organized machining area. Well thought out by the looks of it as well.
Mike.
Thanks... I've got to be organized... everything has a place, and everything is in its place... since my shop is in the basement of my home (and my 2.5 stall garage is attached).
Not much room to grow..but we do have a pool in the back and live close to town.
Dennis
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I posted up pics of my previous Smithy 3-in-1 machine a few years back on this thread but after seeing this thread re-surface again, I figured I would post up a picture of my new lathe after getting it customized to my liking. It is a Precision Mathews PM-1340GT Taiwanese lathe.
I also purchased a Precision Mathews PM-935TV milling machine to go along with it as a package deal.
The picture above was when I got it in the shop and setup. I have since added table protectors to my mill and fabricated a power drawbar setup.
Mike.
I also purchased a Precision Mathews PM-935TV milling machine to go along with it as a package deal.
The picture above was when I got it in the shop and setup. I have since added table protectors to my mill and fabricated a power drawbar setup.
Mike.
rob1200
Well-known member
I'd love to see some photos of your 1947 Myford lathe.
In 1946 my dad bought a new Myford-Drummond M-type lathe:
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Kiwi Canuck
Well-known member
I posted up pics of my previous Smithy 3-in-1 machine a few years back on this thread but after seeing this thread re-surface again, I figured I would post up a picture of my new lathe after getting it customized to my liking. It is a Precision Mathews PM-1340GT Taiwanese lathe.
I also purchased a Precision Mathews PM-935TV milling machine to go along with it as a package deal.
The picture above was when I got it in the shop and setup. I have since added table protectors to my mill and fabricated a power drawbar setup.
Mike.
Mike that is a pretty nice setup you have there, I see you have the quick change tool post on the lathe, what else did you get and what changes did you make to customize it to your liking.
Those two machines would definitely be on my wish list.
David
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I know EXACTLY what you mean Dennis. I have to keep things organized especially in my full shop where space is at a premium. When I need to grab something I need to be able to walk right to it and I don't have time to search for it. I also cannot seem to function in clutter so when working messes stay under control.
Thanks David. I made quite a few little modifications such as the tool holder rack on the backsplash, added the Dorian QCTP (Aloris toolholders), tailstock digital linear scale, Gator 6-jaw chuck and machined a soft stop for starters. I also fabricated a pneumatic drawbar for my mill (I am actually building my second one now because I am changing my design).
I have a full review and thread on hobby-machinist.com for both machines. Here is the link for my PM1340GT lathe review/mods:
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showthread.php/24887-My-Precision-Mathews-PM1340GT-Arrival
Here is the review and setup of my PM935TV mill:
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showthread.php/25675-My-Precision-Mathews-PM935TV-Arrival-Setup
Both are very nice quality machines and are a pleasure to run.
If you have any specific questions please don't hessitate to ask. I don't mind on bit.
Mike.
Kiwi Canuck
Well-known member
Thanks for the detailed response and the links, I look forward to checking them out.
It can be such a difficult choice to make when choosing a large piece of equipment like this.
Asian made or American/European made?, new or old school? and then which brand and model?, the options are mind boggling and I don't know what I don't know.
It's nice that you have just recently purchased new machines and can give feed back on them.
My preference is to buy new and I'm OK with Asian made if the quality is good, I've seen many that are Chinese made and are very poor quality but it appears these Taiwanese models you have are a much better grade.
Most of my work does not require super fine tolerances but it's nice to know it will produce fine work when required.
Regards,
David
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My last machine was of mainland China origin and these machines being Taiwanese are a huge step up in overall quality. The fit and finish is very nice and the machines are extremely accurate. I can easily hold much tighter tolerances than on my previous machine.
I looked for used American made machines for nearly a year before buying these. However, I did not want project machines, I wanted something I could immediately start making chips with rather than spend a year plus refurbishing. Plus I live in a machinery desert so pickins were slim.
I don't regret my purchase one bit and would highly recommend it.
Mike.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Mike, I'll ditto David's comments about the sweet setup and your comment about being organized.. Sounds like you put a lot of thought and effort into those machine purchases, so kudos to you that too..
Dennis
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Originally Posted by zmotorsports :
I know EXACTLY what you mean Dennis. I have to keep things organized especially in my full shop where space is at a premium. When I need to grab something I need to be able to walk right to it and I don't have time to search for it. I also cannot seem to function in clutter so when working messes stay under control.
Absolutely true. The only thing worse than not having a tool to do a job is knowing you have the tool but not being able to find it in your disorganized pile of stuff....or was it in that pile? ...or maybe in the pile on that bench? or was in on that shelf? ...or under the workbench?
A few minutes tidying up halfway through a job can keep you focused on the task at hand. There's a reason why racecar prep shops and aircraft hangars are always spotless.
I know EXACTLY what you mean Dennis. I have to keep things organized especially in my full shop where space is at a premium. When I need to grab something I need to be able to walk right to it and I don't have time to search for it. I also cannot seem to function in clutter so when working messes stay under control.
Absolutely true. The only thing worse than not having a tool to do a job is knowing you have the tool but not being able to find it in your disorganized pile of stuff....or was it in that pile? ...or maybe in the pile on that bench? or was in on that shelf? ...or under the workbench?
A few minutes tidying up halfway through a job can keep you focused on the task at hand. There's a reason why racecar prep shops and aircraft hangars are always spotless.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Agreed. Last night the wife walked into the shop and I had a pile of swarf on the floor in front of the lathe and mill from my new power drawbar project. She gasped and said she has never seen the shop that messy. I told her at least the mess is just piles of aluminum on the floor and can be swept up before closing up the shop for the night.
I usually keep my machines nicely detailed but last night I cleaned the majority of the swarf up and swept up before going in the house. The lathe still had some chips in the chip tray but otherwise the lathe and mill were cleaned off.
I will give them a good detail once the project is done and then they will be ready for the next project. I HATE walking into my shop and seeing dirty machines but it is sensless to detail them just to make more chips tonight. Taking ten minutes to throw the bulk of the chips/swarf away and sweep up is a no brainer though.
Mike.
Kiwi Canuck
Well-known member
Thanks Mike, WOW, I went down the rabbit hole, after clicking on your links above, I managed to get lost for a few hours reading your setup of the lathe and by the time I was about half way through I had 3 or 4 more links opened from you and some others that responded and I'm just realizing "I've go so much to learn.
Looks like I'll need to find a training course or a mentor once I get my lathe (or before) so I can set my machine up properly and be safe operating it.
My last time on a lathe was over 20 years ago and before that at high school in Metal Work class.
Just in case I didn't mention it before, your detailed posts and photos are such great inspiration and the information is presented in such a way that I can follow it easily without feeling like it's over my head.
Thank you for that, I appreciate your efforts.
David
dcmus
Well-known member
Hope this works. Fell into a sweetheart deal about a year ago. Six month old 12x36 lathe for $1000. Sold my worn out ShenWai for $1500. What a deal
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
No problem David. I am not a machinist per se, I am just a mechanic who enjoys machining and fabricating. No formal training and 100% self taught so no need to feel like you have to have years of schooling. The best thing I did was purchased a machine and started playing with it. I had one of those 3-in-1 machines for 16+ years before stepping up to my current setup.
I did a lot of custom/one-off items on that Smithy machine but I had pretty much reached my limitations and convinced the wife I needed to upgrade/upsize.
Here as well as over on hobby-machinist.com there are a ton of great machinists who are willing to assist and help you with any questions you may have. Don't be afraid to ask as we all started somewhere and I by all means still have a LOT to learn. It seems like every time I fire up the lathe or mill I am learning. I hope that part never ends.
Mike.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hope this works. Fell into a sweetheart deal about a year ago. Six month old 12x36 lathe for $1000. Sold my worn out ShenWai for $1500. What a deal
Nice. Looks like a Shop Fox lathe, correct? Mill/Drill in the background and a knee mill to the right that I can't quite see in the picture other than the base and part of the table. What sizes?
Mike.
dcmus
Well-known member
Shop Fox 9x49 Mill. Power table and 3 axis DRO. Came with two axis and I installed 3rd axis battery powered unit. I'm strictly a hobbyist but have been at it about 3+ years now and having a blast.
alan camby
Well-known member
Hope this works. Fell into a sweetheart deal about a year ago. Six month old 12x36 lathe for $1000. Sold my worn out ShenWai for $1500. What a deal
I have the Grizzly version (G4003G) of that 12x36.
I also have the same design mill/drill like you have in the background. My Mill/drill is a old Central machinery made in Taiwan.
alan camby
Well-known member
My Old Tools
Well-known member
I have 3. A Logan 210 that I paid $225 for with 3 chucks, latern post, and few odds and ends of tooling, all the change gears, etc. This one will leave pretty soon. I don't need it.
A 13" Southbend Toolroom with taper, 1950's or early 60's model, double tumbler, and a 4 jaw chuck for $1100. It came out of the maintenance department of a Jr. College so not much use and no student abuse. I bought tooling off of ebay and Enco. Cuts perfect, didn't need much clean up.
A 10" Sheldon EXL-46. This one came out of Gov Liquidation. As with most Gov Liq stuff, it was left outside to marinate in the weather for several months before I got it. I let it sit in the corner for several years but last summer I finally started cleaning it. It has as close to zero wear as you can measure. It came with serial number matched 3 jaw and 2 face plates. I'm slowly buying the tooling. Now I have to decide whether to keep it or the SB 13.
A 13" Southbend Toolroom with taper, 1950's or early 60's model, double tumbler, and a 4 jaw chuck for $1100. It came out of the maintenance department of a Jr. College so not much use and no student abuse. I bought tooling off of ebay and Enco. Cuts perfect, didn't need much clean up.
A 10" Sheldon EXL-46. This one came out of Gov Liquidation. As with most Gov Liq stuff, it was left outside to marinate in the weather for several months before I got it. I let it sit in the corner for several years but last summer I finally started cleaning it. It has as close to zero wear as you can measure. It came with serial number matched 3 jaw and 2 face plates. I'm slowly buying the tooling. Now I have to decide whether to keep it or the SB 13.
ovilla
Well-known member
I really wanted a lathe, specifically so I could turn rotors, but I couldn't find one that big,.
Here's what I did find. It's an AMMCO 700 with parts from a 705 and 710 too. You basically remove your brake caliper and bolt this on, in it's place. Works great!
Here's what I did find. It's an AMMCO 700 with parts from a 705 and 710 too. You basically remove your brake caliper and bolt this on, in it's place. Works great!
dcmus
Well-known member
Most likely the same machine. Sinice I have the big mill it's a dedicated drill press.
SketchyBikes
Well-known member
Where did you get that table for the lathe? Do you have dimensions on it? I have a Craftsman 12 X 36" and need a new table.
alan camby
Well-known member
It is the stands that came with the Grizzly G4003G. It is not a table. It is two stands that connect with a thin sheet , I called it a kick plate. I removed the plate and built a shelf. The consciences on Hobby Machinist form is that the plate is not needed as a structure for the stands. I extended the base to make it more stable at the adjustable foot mounts I added. The stands are designed to be anchored, which I did not do.
Steve from Socal
Well-known member
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Very nice Monarchs.. They both (large one in foreground, 10EE to the right) look to be in immaculate shape.. Are they fairly new?
What is the lathe behind the bigger one in the foreground, another Monarch?
I ditto the comment about machines being level, and that rubber (especially any rubber that absorbs oil and deteriorates) can be a problem because the weight distribution of a lathe is not perfect across the bed/base..
Dennis
poppinjohnnies
Well-known member
I have an old Atlas 9". Still haven't learned how to use the thing...
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nice machines.
I agree on the rubber or padded feet. I see that a lot on another forum I am on and don't understand it. I prefer a solid foot between the concrete and the machine so I don't get any movement.
My lathe is technically a lighter weight machine but the only time I have gotten and shake or movement at all is when I had an odd shaped casting bolted to spindle trying to machine, and that was fairly minor compared to what I thought it would be like.
As far as consistancy, I leveled mine up the first week of August when I took delivery of it and double checked it about two weeks later and had to make a minor "tweak" due to it settling into its new home. I checked it again about two weeks ago and it was dead nuts level, hasn't changed in 4-months.
Mike.