Why do you have a lathe?

[65cayne]

I see a lot of guys here with lathes who do appear to be machinists. For many, a lathe appears to be a "must have" and I am curious why. I see many more posts about guys buying them and restoring them. The number of posts where guys are actually utilizing them is much less.

What are you guys doing with these things? Anyone have some good examples of the capabilities and limitations for the "home use" lathes discussed here?

BTW: I think they are cool. Wondering if I will talk myself into one a few years from now.

 

[ibedayank]

because a bridgeport will not make round parts very well

only solution... buy one or more of each

 

[Nexussian]

because a bridgeport will not make round parts very well

only solution... buy one or more of each

X2

I have the one I'm using because its' what became available in my price range at the time.

You likely see more threads here about restoring lathes than using them is because Garage Journal is more about the garage and tools, much less about the things built in them.

 

[Justanoldguy]

I did a swap of some car parts to get mine.
An old 1947 English Myford.
Doesn't really get much use but looks cool.

 

[MG David]

I don't yet have a lathe but keep wishing I did.

Recently I bought a hydraulic press to use in changing bushes and bearings. To do that you need a drift of a size suitable for the particular job. While one of my wide range of sockets will often do I would like to be able to turn a short section of bar to the correct size.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I don't use mine all the time, but when I do it is usually my "save your ****" tool. I usually use mine in the middle of a project to make or modify a tool, or make a quick part just so I can keep moving on whatever I'm working on. Once you have them available, it suprizing how many solutions you can come up with to solve problems.

Here is my setup, the day I put them in. Picked the pair up for $1,300 including the tooling.

 

[Moose02]

I got one cause the price was insane 600 now i have to learn how to make something

he who dies with the most toys still dies'

 

[dcmus]

I started down this path 4 years ago mostly out of curiosity. Have always wanted to "make" things. Presently on my 4th lathe and my first mill was/is the round column variety from HF...it's now a drill press and purchased a 9x49 import of the Bridgeport design about 2 years ago. Have been doing a little side work for $ and believe this will be my Mad Money when I finally retire.

 

[sberry]

I will go with this,,, I know its not the exact question but its a little like a boat and maybe even a tig welder for a hobby guy which is a Bud with one is even better than owning it. I agree there is some save your but factor and it isn't that I cant find my way around it but I really don't need one.
There is so much less equipment made the old way in a job shop with common tools that it has become a world of replacement parts to a great extent. So much is lighter, cheaper, plastic and aluminum and in my case a lot less grinding moving type things and more road vehicles.
Its really rare I need one, usually a fabrication and I got buds, I didn't want a whole extra level of tooling and another layer of chips.

 

[yaidunno]

If ya gotta ask...you probably won't have much use for one.

That said, they are extremely versatile machines which come in handy for much more than simply turning out parts. If you don't have projects that justify owning one, it's likely just going to keep some extra weight on your floor for you. Not trying to deter you from picking one up, but it could be money better spent elsewhere for your needs.

 

[txvwnut]

I have both a mill and a lathe. I probably use the mill more than the lathe but when I do step up to the lathe it gets a work out. I've made countless tools on it and bushings, sleeves and whatever else I can chuck up in it and turn. Its one of those machines that just sits quitely in a corner or against a wall but when its needed its needed.

 

[autonaut]

If you build cars a lathe is an absolute must.. I have used it to make centering rings for when using wheels with a too big hub diameter. For making a custom serpentine system for when you dont have the correct brackets. Press on test-fit bearing hubs, spacers for crank pulleys and about a thousand other uses.

As one said above, it's often "save my ***" situation when parts stores are closed or items unavailable for purchase..
That and a hydraulic 20Tonnes press are among the most important stuff i can think of right now.

 

[bczygan]

To make those round things we all need.

Washers, bushings, hubs, spacers etc.

Hammer handle, head and faces.

Vise handles and threaded ends. Ball ends.

Gun parts.

Parts for other machines including mills and drill presses and presses.

Made a punch tool to punch out rubber washers.

Make threaded items.

Shop I worked at made most things, and most of their money, off the lathe.

 

[shawnspeed]

because a bridgeport will not make round parts very well

only solution... buy one or more of each

Well...I have made LOTS of round stuff on a BP....From small diameter stuff to large(16"+ Dia)stuff that would not fit on the lathe...also tapered die pins in a pinch...But back to the OP question...I do not use my lathes every week...but once twice a month is not uncommon...everything from washing machine parts on Sunday, to race bike /car parts, for myself and others...repairing ag parts for my farmer neighbors...I spent probably 6 hrs yesterday spinning up parts for a current project and I am about to head out and do a couple more...There is nothing like being able to fabricate/repair something that you would normally have to buy new..and sometimes that is not possible, if the part is NLA..Also my equipment in general has payed for itself many times over, in my projects, and the ones I do for others for compensation...be it beer or barter!Attached are a couple quick change adapters for a dirt track bike I am building..

 

[homebuilt burner]

If you have ever had the chance to use one and do fab work, it is a bummer when you don't have one around. I agree with "if you have to ask". Also, if you are interested in machine work take a class at a local tech school. The lathe is the only machine that can build itself and anything else in the shop as well.

 

[homebuilt burner]

p.s. I don't have one yet but........wait for it ........ evertime I start looking my buddy tells me just keep using his for free, whenever!!! best friend ever.

 

[srmofo]

I've been in the market for one for a while now. My problem is I want the perfect lathe for my needs. The big ones are common and affordable in my neck of the woods but I dont have the space. The smalll ones are a little harder to find and are stupid expensive or are worn out. Expensive is out because this is a hobby machine and Im not looking for a restoration project, Im looking for a lathe so my search continues.


I also agree after using one your eyes will be open to all the possibilities.

 

[ibedayank]

Well...I have made LOTS of round stuff on a BP....From small diameter stuff to large(16"+ Dia)stuff that would not fit on the lathe...also tapered die pins in a pinch...But back to the OP question...I do not use my lathes every week...but once twice a month is not uncommon...everything from washing machine parts on Sunday, to race bike /car parts, for myself and others...repairing ag parts for my farmer neighbors...I spent probably 6 hrs yesterday spinning up parts for a current project and I am about to head out and do a couple more...There is nothing like being able to fabricate/repair something that you would normally have to buy new..and sometimes that is not possible, if the part is NLA..Also my equipment in general has payed for itself many times over, in my projects, and the ones I do for others for compensation...be it beer or barter!Attached are a couple quick change adapters for a dirt track bike I am building..

ok... lets see you thread the ID of a part on a mill and then thread the od of the same chunk of 4 inch solid stock

 

[racingtadpole]

because a bridgeport will not make round parts very well

Im looking for a mill because its kind of difficult to make square parts on a lathe

 

[galute]

Im looking for a mill because its kind of difficult to make square parts on a lathe

Depends. I've got a milling attachment for my little Atlas lathe. It's not as easy as a mill but not hard at all.

 

[Whitworth]

Three things come to mind.

One is lathe work for complex parts and projects. Whether it's car work & restoration or hobbies like steam engines, etc.

The second is all around utility tool. Mount a wire wheel in the lathe for buffing and cleaning. Polishing round objects held in the chuck, great for cleaning internal threading on parts, etc.

Third is making small hardware, machine screws and nuts. You can make a simple screw on the lathe saving time and money versus driving down to the hardware store and buying a box of overpriced Chinese fasteners.

 

[shawnspeed]

ok... lets see you thread the ID of a part on a mill and then thread the od of the same chunk of 4 inch solid stock

Threading on a BP was not mentioned.. Turning small parts such as wheel spacers and all non threaded parts,(other than internal thread taped parts) are fairly easily done on a BP...also, using a boring head with a internal threading bar and the power feed on the quill, limited thread pitches can be done on a BP internal and external... Shawn

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I always dabbled in metalworking to some extent, and a lathe was my next logical piece of equipment after getting several more modest tools like welding equipment, bench grinder, drill press, and metal cutting band saw.

A metalworking lathe is a gateway machine. It will get you started in "serious" machining, but will inevitably lead you towards buying a milling machine in the future.

The two machines naturally complement each other. You can make certain things on a lathe and certain things on a mill, but with both of them, you can make damn near anything.

Phil

 

[sanddan]

You really need both, a mill and a lathe. It seems like I can go through periods where I use the lathe most of the time and the mill just sits, then it swings to the mill being given a workout and the lathe just sits idle.

A recent example was I purchased a new Jet 7x11 horizontal bandsaw and needed to machine some bushings for the axles that mount the 4 wheels, Without the bushings the saw wobbled as the holes for the axle were all oversized. Easy lathe job but impossible without one.

 

[carhunter]

I've always been fascinated by machining but never had time to learn. Have bought and sold several lathes and mini-mills over the years and it was a great way to learn about used equipment and its capabilities, without losing money.

Ended up with an older Bridgeport and a vintage Southbend lathe. Its still going to be some time until I have the new building ready for them though.

For auto restoration, we farm a lot of machining out because of the cost/benefit tradeoff. However I'd like to have the ability to learn and do small projects on my own.
I look at it as a matter of craftsmanship.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I do all kinds of ****!! A small bench top lathe is just damn handy to have. Get a milling setup and you can make a LOT of small parts, make custom threaded parts; pretty much whatever you need. I'm a gunsmith and I use my lathe most often to make firing pins when I'm in a pinch. But I make all sorts of other things. Just this last weekend, I made an adapter for my son's telescope to mount a web camera. Turned it out of barstock aluminum and it fit like a glove.

For my youngest son, I made a Star Wars light sabre, and that was one SERIOUSLY fun project; I plan to make a couple more. Next prop job is the Sonic Screwdriver from Doctor Who and I'm looking forward to that one.

I have a 1946 Atlas TF-42 10" lathe with a Quick Change Gear Box, and full motor drive. I also have a mill, but I find myself on the lathe more than I'm on the mill (with the exception of when I'm gunsmithing, which is mostly mill work).

 

[Falcon67]

Because it's a cool tool and you can do whatever. Between my mill/drill and the lathes I can fix a lot of stuff. Yes, a $2500 tool to fix a $2.50 parts is nuts, well - so what LOL.

This little guy has paid for it's self about 4 times already. I use it to modify -AN fittings to work on C4 Ford transmissions. Thanks to the Internet, while I won't be retiring anytime soon the operation makes a few bucks and I have parts all over the planet.

The 12x36 hasn't really found a big use yet, but it will I'm sure.

A welder is a handy thing too - the stand is home made

 

[ibedayank]

Threading on a BP was not mentioned.. Turning small parts such as wheel spacers and all non threaded parts,(other than internal thread taped parts) are fairly easily done on a BP...also, using a boring head with a internal threading bar and the power feed on the quill, limited thread pitches can be done on a BP internal and external... Shawn

yeah ok... using the mill and lathe pictured you can try and let us know how well that worked out... no power feed on quill and most most mills that are not super heavy or cost as much as a decent truck will not have power feed now will they?

as I said lathes can do things that a mill really can't. and a mill can do things that a lather really can't or is not the best tool for the job. And yes I now you can mill on a lathe but will not do anywhere near the quality a mill will.

 

[HanShotFirst]

If anyone is interested I have a spare Atlas TF-42 exactly like mine for sale for a grand. Nice benchtop lathe; I love them.

Nice lathe stand Chris.

 

[Ironhorse74]

I like things that go bang. I use my lathe to make things that go bang.

 

[Falcon67]

Thanks. Lusting for a BP size 9x42 table mill with sufficient accuracy to do cylinder head work and such. $$$$ investment plus tooling so not any time soon I think.

FWIW - I'm not a machinist for sure. But I like learning. The one thing I REALLY need to do is try threading - have had a lathe for a long while and never done it, which is kinda weird if you think about it.

 

[Squankum]

I watched a friend find out. He got an old Sears Craftsman/Atlas and soon found out how much he needed one. It started with aluminum underdrive pulleys, then custom flywheels for his race car, then Delrin bushings for his racecar's A-arms, and then it was cutting grooves into shock bodies to hold circlips, and next thing you know, the ABS pipe he used for the car's air intake was too heavy (everything weighs something!) and how do you lighten a 3" pipe? Well, you put it on the lathe and remove stuff.

The list of things he used it for never stopped growing, once he had one.

_

 

[James-W]

I have a lathe and a mill because when my older brother passed away he gave them to me in his will. He used them for many years, not like a business to make money with, but just to play around with and make stuff. I use them on occasion, not often, but they are a lot of fun to play with and make stuff.

 

[Jawn]

I want to build a miniature railroad.

So far, I'm still learning how to use the machines.

 

[mikeyr]

In my old shop, I had a small underpowered lathe that I used all the time, seemed like I used it every week. When I moved I had the opportunity to buy a bigger lathe and a mill, that was 6 years ago. Only turned on the lathe a few weeks ago to modify some suspension parts for daughters boyfriend's car, still not used the mill. But I am sure I will someday and I look forward to it. Ok, so I have a reason for not using them, the house needed so much work it might have been better to bulldoze it and start over but its finished now, just some details and I will be in the garage.

Once you have a lathe you will find uses for it if you do any work on cars (or mechanical things)

 

[matt_i]

Very useful, I've made shafts, bushings, parts for cars trucks tractors, forklifts and boats with it. I've made gear blanks and new parts of machines that you can't buy anymore. I've made rotary bending dies and eccentric pins. Many many parts at my job in a factory. Currently have 3 manual lathes in my own home shop operation, a "workhorse" for large and dirty work, a "toolmakers lathe" and a collet lathe. In my shop is an older turning center which could be called a CNC lathe, and two lathes that are apart for a VFD conversion and the other for a bed regrind and rescraping project to restore the alignment and fits.

 

[zmotorsports]

Personally after having a lathe and mill for the past 18+ years I don't know how I ever got along without one. I am not a machinist by any stretch of the word, I am a mechanic who can machine and weld/fabricate.

I initially purchased a combination mill/lathe 3-in-1 machine back in 1997 for machining custom one off parts for our race program and for the many specialty cars, bikes and sand cars that I was building. Once customers saw that I had some machining capabilities in my shop the small odds and end jobs started rolling in.

A couple of years ago I realized that I was up against the limits of my little 3-in-1 machine and started looking to upgrade lathe and mill. I pretty much live in a machinery desert so used equipment was not available without many, many miles of travel and even then many of the ones I looked at were worn and needed repair/restoration. I did NOT want a machine restoration project, I wanted machines that were ready to go to work so I had very few choices.

After many months of research I ended up placing an order for two very nice Taiwanese machines that will serve me well for many, many years if not the remainder of my life. My shop's capabilities have been expanded ten-fold and I cannot even figure out how someone without a lathe or mill is able to function after having access to them for so long. I have no doubt that these machines will pay for themselves many times over just like my previous machine.

Even though my mill is a 2/3 size BP clone and my lathe is only a 13x40 size there capabilities have already proven to be a huge improvement over what I previously had.

Mike.

 

[ford guy]

Sometimes it's a part that isn't made, or can't be found locally. Like this dishwasher drain pipe that needed to fit into a sink elbow....
View media item 51670
All fitted together & glued together
View media item 51671
After 20 years in the US Navy as a Machinist, this Clausing lathe was my retirement gift to myself.
View media item 51672

 

[TheOtherChris]

I've been in the market for one for a while now. My problem is I want the perfect lathe for my needs. The big ones are common and affordable in my neck of the woods but I dont have the space. The smalll ones are a little harder to find and are stupid expensive or are worn out. Expensive is out because this is a hobby machine and Im not looking for a restoration project, Im looking for a lathe so my search continues.

I started using a friend's mill years ago. It was great to just drop in to his shop and mill out a quick replacement part and be on my way.

Then I moved out to the sticks and started looking for my own mill. Used equipment in the area was non existent so I stared looking at what it would cost for a new BP clone. THAT was out of my budget and I (and others) kept saying buy a real one the first time so you don't have to buy it again. After nearly 15 years of that line of thought I realized that a smallish mill was better than no mill at all so I bought a dovetail column mill/drill. I am very happy I did and wonder why I didn't do it sooner. (After all, that is what I did with a welder.)

Soon realized I wanted a lathe too and didn't wait this time. Bought a smallish (11x22) chinese lathe and am happy I did.

Do I NEED a lathe?? No.
I also don't need a mill, welder, table saw, etc. I work in an office.
Some people spend their "recreation money" on skiing, snow machines, boats, cars and other stuff they don't need but rather want. I spend it on tools, machinery, supplies and stuff I don't need but want. The more I have the more I can fabricate and repair. The more I fabricate and repair, the more stuff I find that I can do.....so I buy more.

 

[zmotorsports]

The one thing I REALLY need to do is try threading - have had a lathe for a long while and never done it, which is kinda weird if you think about it.

Chris, once you break your cherry threading it will become second nature. I was scared of it for years and after learning I questioned my scepticism. It is actually quite easy.

I use a couple of formulas that work great.

First off I start with a major diameter of .005" less than the nominal diameter of the bolt/fastener. Then for a relief groove I use .613 divided by number of threads per inch and add .0025" or (.613/TPI)+.0025".

For depth of thread using the compound I us .713 divided by number of threads per inch and then move the crossfeed in .001" to .002" for cleanup cut to form on both edges of the thread. Expressed as (.713/TPI) plus .001"/.002" crossfeed.

One area I find a lot of controversy over is the width of the flat at the end of the cutting tool. I have been using the formula of 1/8 of the pitch or (Pitch/8) but I cannot remember where I picked that up from and have been unable to confirm that.

An example using the formulas for a 1/2-13 thread would be as follows:
Relief groove .0497" or .050" depth.
Outside diameter of .495". Nominal diameter minus .005", or .500"-.005"= .495"
Compound feed of .055", (.713/13)
Crossfeed cleanup of .001"-.002"

This is with a 60 degree ground cutting tool with a .0096' or .010" flat on the end, or slight radius.

Hope you find that helpful.

Mike.