Gunsmith Lathe with DRO

[hpshooter]

With current DC motor tech.... a direct drive system is not totally out of the question.... and it could be super quiet.

20 years ago I saw a gear head Hendey at a used equipment dealer in Roanoke VA that had a DC motor driving the quick change, the lathe had been surplussed by the Medico lock company.

The dealer told me that Medico had made the modification to cut any thread they wanted without changing change gears. Engineers worked out a speed setting for the threads they needed to cut posted a chart for the operator to follow. Have no way to know if that was what the conversion was actually for other than what the dealer told me. he did say that Medico kept the control package to install on a newer higher speed lathe.

My gear head Hendey tops out at 1100RPM.

 

[LVLAaron]

Check out the electronic lead screw (Clough42 on youtube) It's pretty slick. Requires a sensor and a stepper motor to drive the lead screws. Pretty slick.

I think some of the monarch 10ee's had DC motors as well... or maybe it was just a common conversion, with a bunch of rectifiers that were death traps.

 

[Walt Krafft]

My Acra has vfd and electronic threading. All that it lacks is the bigger spindle and longer bed.
As a toolmaker, I had to make unscrewing cores for plastic molds. The thread pitch had to include the plastic shrinkage. So a 3/8-16 might be .389-16.345. CNC made it no problem.

 

[butchlambert]

Check out the electronic lead screw (Clough42 on youtube) It's pretty slick. Requires a sensor and a stepper motor to drive the lead screws. Pretty slick.

I think some of the monarch 10ee's had DC motors as well... or maybe it was just a common conversion, with a bunch of rectifiers that were death traps.

Monarch 10EE s have had multiple drive systems through the years.

 

[X Count]

Hardinge had a pretty fancy setup. Would love to have a refurbished and CNC converted unit like one of they guys on here. That or a Haas TL1

 

[hpshooter]

Monarch 10EE s have had multiple drive systems through the years.

10EE=Machine tool porn!!

 

[urbanrifleman]

My Acra has vfd and electronic threading. All that it lacks is the bigger spindle and longer bed.
As a toolmaker, I had to make unscrewing cores for plastic molds. The thread pitch had to include the plastic shrinkage. So a 3/8-16 might be .389-16.345. CNC made it no problem.

Which Acra is that?

 

[Walt Krafft]

Which Acra is that?

Hardinge toolroom clone.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Hardinge toolroom clone.

Do you have a model number?

 

[WSnyder]

Do you have a model number?

618 I believe it was/is. They make a CNC version now. I almost bought one (manual) but couldn't justify it at the time.

Here's one with electronic threading:

ACRA Toolroom Lathe w/ Electronic Threading - CTL-618E

Shop ACRA Toolroom Lathe w/ Electronic Threading - CTL-618E from the experts at Penn Tool Co., blending tradition with cutting-edge technology. Join the professionals who trust Penn Tool Co.upgrade now!

www.penntoolco.com

CNC version:

Acra 6" x 18" CNC Toolroom Lathe with Fanuc OI Mate TD Control, ATL-618CNC - Norman Machine Tool

Acra 6″ x 18″ CNC Toolroom Lathe with Fanuc OI Mate TD Control, ATL-618CNC Inventory # 7502 Model: ATL-618CNC with Fanuc OI Mate TD Control Specifications: Swing Over Bed/Guard: 11″ Swing Over Cross Slide: 6″ Swing Over Carriage: 9″ Between Centers:... Read More

www.normanmachinetool.com

 

[X Count]

10EE=Machine tool porn!!

I have never seen one close up but from what I understand the head is too long or spindle too small for barrels?

 

[Walt Krafft]

The 618 with electronic threading.

 

[butchlambert]

I have never seen one close up but from what I understand the head is too long or spindle too small for barrels?

The spindle bore is 1.5" I think, but I never measured mine. The headstock is long, but Jackie made bushings to slide in the spindle to allow him to do them in the headstock. He is using a different machine now. Distance between centers is 20" unless you have one of the rare 30" models.
I believe Hal on the forum has one.

 

[LVLAaron]

I have never seen one close up but from what I understand the head is too long or spindle too small for barrels?

For short barrels, I have a custom chuck/fixture I can use, or a barrel extension. Clamps onto the barrel and gives the length needed to reach the outboard spider.

Here's the fixture.

 

[urbanrifleman]

All done and ready to rock. I had to configure the DRO and fix a few things. Waiting on a new tailstock wheel, but other than that it's purring like a kitten.

 

[LVLAaron]

Man that is a really really sweet machine.

What's this waiting on a handle business? You have a lathe. Wheels are round. Lathes make round things.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Man that is a really really sweet machine.

What's this waiting on a handle business? You have a lathe. Wheels are round. Lathes make round things.

 

[LVLAaron]

Looks round to me

 

[Walt Krafft]

Nice machine! Only thing I see missing is an Ajust-True chuck.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Which Acra is that?

Ive seen it in person and its a sight to behold