I have a lathe, now what?

[bad_idea]

I recently asked the forum if they would take a free lathe in this thread. I was hit with overwhelming responses to take it! So I did. Now all of my friends/family are asking what I am going to use it for. My wife said I could make her candle stick holders! I have a couple projects in mind, but nothing major. So what kind of projects can I do with a lathe?

Also, I found milling attachments online for a lathe. How practical is milling with a lathe? This is strictly home use. Is it worth my money to use a lathe for milling or buy a benchtop milling machine? Due to space constraints, I won't be buying a full size milling machine.

 

[Big-Foot]

Congratulations...

Just start experimenting and making chips..
I've used my lathe as a mill and visa versa for small things that were easy to set up.

There are a number of forums out there for the hobbiest as well.

 

[Toolhorder]

I just got mine a couple weeks ago too but it's still on the trailer until I can wire up the garage. In the last couple weeks at work I've had several things break which I could have "made" replacements on the lathe. In fact it's like the first thing that pops into my mind when I see something broken. It will come to you.

 

[Zeke]

I think your wife has a good idea. You'll get some time on the machine and start to figure out what kind of info to look for. Otherwise, you are just reading theory and it doesn't stick.

 

[Outlawmws]

One of the first projects I did with a tiny jewelers lathe I got started with was a brass hammer head out of some 1" stock. Simple design; squared the faces, a cleanup pass on the O.D. a couple of decorative grooves near the faces, and then chucked the thing sideways to cut flats on either side of where the handle would go in. drill two overlapping holes for the handle and file the intersecting points flat, and you are ready for a handle.

 

[HillsME]

I also got a lathe and never had any training on them. First I made a soft blow hammer out of plastic (UHMW). Then a couple of miniature baseball bats from oak. Next thing you know I was able to make a small strange shaped bushing for my air conditioner unit that saved me thousands because the repair people said no way on getting new parts for it. Made it from tuffcast plastic with a wax impregnated lubricant. So far it has lasted 1-1/2 seasons just fine.

It helps to start with something soft then move on to steel.

 

[lilredex]

Find yourself a copy of SB's project book. Almost any school that had a machine shop course looked at it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1559182482/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That "C" clamp was my project in 1963.......still have it around some where.

Other good references are Home Shop Machinist and Projects in Metal/Machinist's Workshop magazines. There is a forum also.

From across the pond comes Model Engineer and Model Engineer's Workshop magazine.

Start by facing and turning to diameter.

Get SB's How To Run a Lathe book also.

When you want to advance a bit have a look for goodfellow's work on that other site. (carbide insert holders)

 

[bczygan]

http://sfladung.com/content/Plans/BrassHammer

How to run a lathe:

http://www.wswells.com/data/htral/htral_index.html

http://www.projectsinmetal.com/free-project-plan-soft-faced-hammer/

 

[Nader]

Youtube has a lot of tutorials on basic machining.

 

[Alchymist]

A plethora of how to videos:
http://www.neme-s.org/Tubalcain/machine_shop_tips.htm

 

[signcrafter]

I don't have a lathe, wish I did, but when I want practice on tools I try to make useful things for the shop. Maybe a small hammer or a punch. Anything that you might be able to use and also learn something while making it. Usually these things don't cost a lot either.

Find your local metal supply shop and ask them if they have a drop room. Mine charges slightly more than scrap for drops that you can practice on. We also have a metal recycling yard where you can walk threw and pick out what you want and they charge by the pound. These are great for cheap metal that you can practice facing and sizing and other things and it only costs a buck or two so you don't have to make anything useful, just practice.

 

[bad_idea]

What material do I need to use to make a quality alignment pin? I routinely have to line up flanges to install pekotek gaskets in. Pekotek (spelling?) gaskets are for dissimilar metals. The are meant to electrically isolate each flange. The bolts get a mylar sleeve around them. The bolt holes have to be PERFECTLY aligned to drop the sleeves in w/o damaging them. So I was thinking my first project would be a set of alignment pins that fit snuggly in the flanges.

What material should I make these alignment pins out of? Thanks.

 

[Ric in Richmond]

A plethora of how to videos:
http://www.neme-s.org/Tubalcain/machine_shop_tips.htm

My first thought...Tubal Cain.....