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Lathe 101 - (DFW, N. TEXAS)

AMG04

AMG04

Gold $$ Contributor
I've really enjoying carving rifle stocks, but I've always wanted to learn how to run a lathe so I can thread and chamber my own barrels.

There are a couple 16+ week courses at local North Texas Colleges, but I was hoping to find something less formal. Im not looking for certifications or careers with this... its a hobby.

Does anyone know of a guild, or club type organization where experienced members are willing to teach others, and have access to the machines & equipment?

Im west of Fort Worth, but will make time to travel in the greater DFW area.
 
Speedy does some classes..might check with him..

Gunsmithing is kinda of like learning to fly...You can set in class all do reading, studying, but it really all comes together when your ass hits the seat in the plane..
 
I tried to get into a class at Richland college and while they said they had all the equipment they didn’t have the interest to have a class. That was almost 8 years ago, might be different now. As someone who read the books, watched the videos, absorbed as much as I could here and finally ran into someone who would mentor me. It’s definitely better to start with general machining…my education has and continues to be expensive because it seems I have a doctorate in learning things the hard way.

Good luck!
 
I put my own barrels on and enjoy carving on steel and if it was me I would take the class but you have to make sure the class is on manual machines if that is what you want to use, I tryed to find a class to take lately and there were no manual machine classes available, only cnc machines which don't interest me
 
cramfarm said:
I put my own barrels on and enjoy carving on steel and if it was me I would take the class but you have to make sure the class is on manual machines if that is what you want to use, I tryed to find a class to take lately and there were no manual machine classes available, only cnc machines which don't interest me
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^^^^^^THIS! I was an adjunct instructor at a local community college in the 90,s into the mid 2000,s. They gradually transitioned to what local industries needed--more emphasis on CNC, less on manual machines.
 
DaveTooley said:
Knowing the basics with some hands on experience will short the learning curve. I would suggest take the formal course. Get some hands on machine time. It will save time and money in the long run. You will probably be able to build some of the fixtures you will need and have help with any problems.
Click to expand...
THIS!!^^
Learning the basics of machine technology is invaluable if you want to shorten your "learning curve"
To Dave's point I still have the original little c-clamp I made while learning to drill, thread, mill, turn, etc.

As several have pointed out, finding a course that starts with manual machining might be challenging.
When I took it in the mid-80's they were just starting to teach g-code/CNC, and nobody had a lot of interest in it.
YMMV
G
 
Lathes are simple machines agreed, but if you are starting from scratch there are some basics you don’t want to learn on your own. Like how far you can sling a chuck key if you leave it in the chuck Or what clothes are a no-no
Basic layout/setup etc.
These may seem beyond basic to someone with your experience, but I still think a basic MT course at your local JC is/was invaluable at the start of the journey.
Chambering barrels is very basic machining, the devil is in the details, and very rarely do I turn one of my machines on where I don’t learn something new or different.
That’s the fun of it!
JMHO,
G
 
There are a lot of resources on utube I don't remember what the guys name is but one of them is really good. I learned mostly out of a old machinist book. and tool catalogs. Its not that hard .And don't waste your money on carbide tools most home lathes don't have the horsepower to use them. Learning to grind your own HSS bits isn't hard . I rough grind on a grinder and finish on a disk sander. lots of info out there on how to do it.
 
scasa said:
There are a lot of resources on utube I don't remember what the guys name is but one of them is really good. I learned mostly out of a old machinist book. and tool catalogs. Its not that hard .And don't waste your money on carbide tools most home lathes don't have the horsepower to use them. Learning to grind your own HSS bits isn't hard . I rough grind on a grinder and finish on a disk sander. lots of info out there on how to do it.
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Machinist Handbook is your friend!
 
scasa said:
And don't waste your money on carbide tools most home lathes don't have the horsepower to use them.
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Respectfully disagree. Been using carbide inserted tooling (as have many others) for well over 20 years on smaller lathes for both gunsmithing and general machining. There’s lots of inserts that work great on smaller manual equipment. The trick is finding the good ones without buying what doesn’t work. Much has been written about this on this forum so OP can do some searching on the subject.
 
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WSnyder said:
Respectfully disagree. Been using carbide inserted tooling (as have many others) for well over 20 years on smaller lathes for both gunsmithing and general machining. There’s lots of inserts that work great on smaller manual equipment. The trick is finding the good ones without buying what doesn’t work. Much has been written about this on this forum so OP can do some searching on the subject.
Click to expand...
In my experience carbide tools are at there best when used on heavier cuts on a machine with the HP to pull a heavy cut . My home shop machines just don't have it, if yours do thats fine I have no problem if that works for you. I think grinding your own lathe bits is a needed skill cause eventually your going to need to. and the cost is minimal compared to carbide. That's just my opinion and that's what works for me. I've tried profiling a barrel with carbide tooling and for me it just doesn't work. sharp HSS tooling works for me.
 
What Alex said...
It takes some time, but the basic machining that's involved in spinning up barrels can be self taught- I had a mentor for a bit, but as I learned more I came to realize he was actually a bit of a hack...

There are plenty of forums with highly experienced machinists happy to help with the basics, and smiths on this and other forums can opine on those applications. At the end of the day, barrel work is basic machining operations , but done to very exacting specifications. What I like most about the process is the quality of the end product is not subjective- everything can be measured and quantified, so it's easy to chart your progress.

Good start, here:
www.youtube.com

mrpete222

My channel is devoted to the wonderful world of MACHINE SHOP! I have about 950 video demonstrations on the Bridgeport mill & South Bend, Atlas, Clausing, and Logan Lathes. There is also groups of videos on the subjects of FOUNDRY, MODEL ENGINES, TRACTORS, ANTIQUE ENGINES & much more. 52...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
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