Beginning machine work help

[DavidR8]

The small gear meshing with the lead screw has nothing to do with that stud.

You mesh the small gear with the lead-screw by loosening the nut on the back of the axle hub slider and sliding the gears closer and further away from the lead-screw. Once the little gear is adjusted to mesh with the lead-screw it would stay meshed even if you were able to rotate the plate 360° around the leadscrew.

The stud in the arc only adjusts the big gear meshing with the drive gear.

Adjust the small gear to mesh with the leadscrew first by loosening the bolt on the axle hub nut and sliding it up and down the track in the plate, once that is adjusted, then you rotate the plate up to mesh the big gear with the drive gear and tighten the nut on the stud. See the illustration I just made below.

Wish I still had my mini lathe because I would make a YouTube video on how to do this two step adjustment. I looked and couldn’t find a video that shows the actual adjustment.

I completely missed that adjustment potential!!!

I’ll give this a try later today.
Thank you so much for that your welcome insight!


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[DavidR8]

And it works!

Here’s what I started with.

I shimmed the stud with two pieces of copper strapping.

Replaced all the gears and adjusted the gear mesh. A bit too tight in this picture.

And now everything lines up great!

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[The Cobbler]

is there a collar in the (last picture ) cracked?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Great!

First issue resolved!

On your second photo where you show the shimmed stud it appears that the belt drive pulley Is extended way off of the motor shaft to the point that I’d be afraid of it coming off. Is everything properly aligned with the motor, pulleys, and drive belt? Is the pulley properly secured to the motor shaft?

Here is a photo of another minilathe where the motorshaft and pulley are fully engaged.

 

[Shadowdog500]

is there a collar in the (last picture ) cracked?

I saw it too. It’s just a spacer for the lead-screw gear.

 

[DavidR8]

Great!

First issue resolved!

On your second photo where you show the shimmed stud it appears that the belt drive pulley Is extended way off of the motor shaft to the point that I’d be afraid of it coming off. Is everything properly aligned with the motor, pulleys, and drive belt? Is the pulley properly secured to the motor shaft?

Here is a photo of another minilathe where the motorshaft and pulley are fully engaged.

EEP! I didn't notice that before. Thanks for the eagle eyes.
I'll go check now!

 

[Shadowdog500]

Here are other photos found online that show an external retaining ring holding the pulley on the shaft. Was there an external retaining ring loose in the box?

.

 

[DavidR8]

I saw it too. It’s just a spacer for the lead-screw gear.

Yes it's cracked. I think someone was a bit excited when it was put on.
I may make a new one but it would take a gorilla to get the gear on further even if it wasn't there.

 

[DavidR8]

Here are other photos found online that show an external retaining ring holding the pulley on the shaft. Was there an external retaining ring loose in the box?

I didn't see anything other than a cap screw. I will check the plastic bag it came in though.

 

[DavidR8]

Ok I checked.
The pulley is secured with a set screw on the inboard side of the pulley.

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[Shadowdog500]

Ok I checked.
The pulley is secured with a set screw on the inboard side of the pulley.

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That’ll work!

 

[DavidR8]

That’ll work!

Except that I just discovered that it's a brush motor when the ad clearly said brushless. I specifically wanted brushless

 

[Shadowdog500]

Except that I just discovered that it's a brush motor when the ad clearly said brushless. I specifically wanted brushless

I don’t know what to tell you, but I will say that the build quality on that lathe is no where near what I received when I bought my Cummins mini lathe. Mine looked more like the grizzly 8688 which is twice the price. I just looked at the lathe comparison chart on minilathe.com and the only two ones sold with brushless motors ar the minilathe.com lathe and the micro-Mark. Both of those lathes sell for more than twice what you paid.

 

[DavidR8]

I don’t know what to tell you, but I will say that the build quality on that lathe is no where near what I received when I bought my Cummins mini lathe. Mine looked more like the grizzly 8688 which is twice the price. I just looked at the lathe comparison chart on minilathe.com and the only two ones sold with brushless motors ar the minilathe.com lathe and the micro-Mark. Both of those lathes sell for more than twice what you paid.

Thanks Shadow,
I think what irks me is that I was looking for a brushless motor lathe and thought I bought one only to discover it isn’t.

On the plus side, the seller refunded me $65 USD so I’m only into the lathe for $390 USD which is a smoking deal all things considered.

Carrying on!


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[PNWguy]

Out of curiosity, what does a mini lathe cost in the pacific north west?

I am an East Coster and paid around $400 for my minilathe about 12 years ago at the local fire hall from a Cummings dealer.

It's not just prices that are high - the other big problem is the lack of population and availability.

Unlike much of the east coast and places east of here, there's no people. If I drive north on the main interstate, I get to a town of over 100,000 people in a bit over 2 hours. Going east, it's a 6 hour drive to Reno. Going south, it's 3 hours. My "local" craigslist area is close to 100 miles square. People who don't live here really don't understand how far apart things out west are.

Normally this is a wonderful part of living here. Trying to find used equipment is one of the few downsides. Looked for a replacement lathe for a year, before finding a 6 month old, barely used Grizzly 0776 for $3,000, which was was a good discount from the usual $5,800. I showed up with cash very quickly. And yes, I wanted American, but it's not a reality here.

 

[DavidR8]

@PNWGuy has hit it on the head.

My local area is basically all of Vancouver Island. Getting off the island and back is a $200 touch every time.

Near me there’s a SB 9A in pieces for $1100 and a Myford ML7 for $2650. The Myford looks to be in tip-top shape and if I had the cash I’d likely spring for it.

The next best option is a Lantaine of unknown size or vintage for $2500.

I got a $65 USD refund from the seller on my mini lathe so I ended up paying $390 USD. I feel good about that price.


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[Shadowdog500]

Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[DavidR8]

Keep us posted on your progress!

Will do!
I might start another thread. Stay tuned.