Cleave
Well-known member
I got this WF Barnes #6 about a year ago, and have been gradually improving it since. (Note the new Grizzly chuck to replace the beyond clapped out one it came with - 2 jaws were cracked).
It was missing the 52t change gear, which is the smaller side of the 2:1 gear between the spindle and screw, so most of the thread pitch combinations require it. After debating whether or not I should machine it from cast iron, running the lathe as a manual shaper to cut the teeth, I decided to save all that trouble and 3d print it. I got it from www.xometry.com. They totally nailed the dimensions. I had it printed in nylon to be a bit stronger and more resistant to oils. Solid infill for strength. Yesterday morning I cut my first single point threads with it, 5/16"-18. The gear didn't hesitate, even taking heavy roughing passes to bring the bar down to size before threading. This is a really slow way (with me, on this machine) to cut threads, but very good to learn and know how to do. Probably I'll mostly use the screw feed for taking even finish passes.
It was missing the 52t change gear, which is the smaller side of the 2:1 gear between the spindle and screw, so most of the thread pitch combinations require it. After debating whether or not I should machine it from cast iron, running the lathe as a manual shaper to cut the teeth, I decided to save all that trouble and 3d print it. I got it from www.xometry.com. They totally nailed the dimensions. I had it printed in nylon to be a bit stronger and more resistant to oils. Solid infill for strength. Yesterday morning I cut my first single point threads with it, 5/16"-18. The gear didn't hesitate, even taking heavy roughing passes to bring the bar down to size before threading. This is a really slow way (with me, on this machine) to cut threads, but very good to learn and know how to do. Probably I'll mostly use the screw feed for taking even finish passes.
