A quick project

[gj67stang]

To replace the scrap metal rod I've been using. . . .

. . . . I turned a spare Craftsman #3 Philips. . . .

. . . . into a new chuck key for my 6" Craftsman lathe.

(Yes, I am fully aware of the dangers of leaving a chuck key in the chuck - it was only left there for the photograph and promptly removed after.)

 

[OccupantRJ]

That'll work. That's what I used on the one I used to have.

 

[reinhardt]

please tell me more about that lathe of yours. nice and simple solution to the chuck key dilemma. well done.

ben

 

[srmofo]

You could drill a hole through the handle and chain it to the table. Keeps it where it needs to be, and also keeps it from becoming an airborne missile when you forget its still in the chuck.

We've all done it at least once

 

[gj67stang]

please tell me more about that lathe of yours. nice and simple solution to the chuck key dilemma. well done.

ben

It's a Craftsman 101.07301 6"x18" lathe. I've got both 3- and 4-jaw chucks for it. This lathe also serves as my milling machine with an attachment that bolts in place of the compound to hold the workpiece and the chuck becomes the tool-holder. It's kinda small, but I've been able to do a lot with it.

A selection of my tool holders for this lathe:

I made a set of "keys" for my new 4-jaw independent chuck from two 1/4" Craftsman screwdrivers

 

[reinhardt]

That is a pretty tool (is it ok to call tools pretty?). I'm geussing 1960's? How much to box it up and ship it down to me? I like it.

Ben

 

[oldmxracer]

Oh, I like it too !

Already did a quick search to find more information about that model !

 

[gj67stang]

As far as I understand it, an Atlas 618 is basically the same machine as the Craftsman 101.

 

[steel 35]

Since you have a very nice atachment I thought I might share my project of the day; bead roller for somthing I needed now.

 

[TireTracks]

Whats the overall length of that? Ours is 60"

 

[mrbreezeet1]

You got a lot of speeds with the jack shaft, plus your back gears.
I have a pretty nice Wards/Logan, I'll have to post pictures of it here.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[isaac338]

What kind of bench is that bolted to? It looks beefy!

 

[gj67stang]

Whats the overall length of that? Ours is 60"

If you were referring to mine (the green one above) it's about 32" long overall.

What kind of bench is that bolted to? It looks beefy!

It came with the lathe when I bought it: plywood carcass and double-layer plywood top with umpteen layers of paint. The wood drawers are kinda awkward to use as they like to bind, but the 100's of holes drilled in the bottom prevent swarf buildup in them.

 

[unclemoak]

I'd recommend fitting some sort of spring on the end of your tool to make it impossible to leave it in the chuck, so unless your are applying pressure to hold it in, the spring will push it out.

 

[gj67stang]

I've gotten in the habit of giving the chuck a spin by hand before I hit the "on" button every time. This ensures the chuck key isn't going to become a projectile as well as verifying clearance of the chuck, workpiece, cutting tool, compound, tool holder, etc.

 

[TireTracks]

If you were referring to mine (the green one above) it's about 32" long overall.

Thanks. I was trying to figure out scale compaired ours and couldent figure it out.

 

[Super Mech]

Nice lathe. I have the same one, picked it up at an estate sale for 125.00 with a big box of tooling!! Felt like I stole it. I added a variable speed DC treadmill motor to mine for infinite speed control. Cool milling attachment, Would love to get one.

 

[hyvolt]

I have the same one. Love it for small spacers and stuff like that.

 

[boogerboy72]

wow, i paid a lot more for mine, and have no tooling, yet anyways.

 

[gj67stang]

Another quick project:

Took a spare Craftsman P2 driver:

Pulled out the shank and pressed in a 3/4" countersink bit:

 

[steel 35]

I don't use those screw drivers very much but at your pase I am going to run out of them pretty quick, that nice

 

[gj67stang]

Used up a couple more screwdrivers and extra extensions today:

Made myself a 1/4" and 3/8" stubby socket drivers (regular 1/4" driver for comparison):