Learning how to use a lathe

[Dimefox]

The company I work for recently acquired another company that has a decent little machine shop where they have a pretty big lathe. I don't recall exactly what kind or how big, but it's big.

I've always wanted to learn how to use a metal lathe and eventually do my own barrel work. Space and budget at home currently prevents that. Using this one on my own time won't be an issue.

So, do any of you have any good recommendations on sources for learning to use a lathe and then threading/chambering barrels? There's some good guys over there that would be willing to show me how to use the machine and basics, but as far as I know none of them are into shooting much. I have a Bridgport mill so I'm generally familiar with some machine work, but I'm a far cry from a machinist.

There is a local community college nearby that has machining classes but I don't really have time in my schedule to take classes over there. I guess I'm looking for books and videos I can go through in the evenings in my spare time. I have no desire to become a smith or try and do any of this for profit or for anyone other than myself. I just want to eventually be able to spin up a barrel when I need to.

Advise is greatly appreciated.

 

[praveen]

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY67-4BrEae9Ad91LPRIhcLJM9fO-HJyN&si=yASsRoiQgOrSxqSS

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Lathes are really simple. They only do a few things. Do not try to learn how to do barrel work. Learn to run a lathe and understand the what and whys of what your doing. Then chambering will be obvious.

 

[Sniperhandle]

A Lathe is a very dangerous machine, Learn the safety rules and the proper ways of using abrasives and what types of clothing to wear and not wear. Swarf is extremely sharp and can cut a finger off in a second. There used to be a very grisly photo of an Australian man who was set to retire in a week or 2, He had a job he wanted to finish and stayed at the shop working while everyone else went to lunch. He had what looked like a long sleeve sweatshirt on. Long story short he was pulled into the machine and ground up pretty good.

He was dead and the machine still running when the other employees returned from lunch.

A lathe is not a toy and is to be respected for the dangerous machine that it is.

A lathe can also be damaged pretty easily by an untrained person, Is your company willing to let you harm their machine possibly. I know if it was mine I would not let anyone use it unsupervised mainly because of injury to the person using it but also if they need the machine, It may become damaged.

Here is a pic of some carnage.

 

[Dimefox]

I am aware of the hazards and that the machine can pull you apart without blinking. I've spent a fair amount of time in a wood shop and around heavy equipment. The folks that put on our annual safety training really like to show carnage pics and videos like the one posted above of various accidents, so I have ample respect for things like this.

I also don't intend to run the machine by myself unless I get the green light by the shop super over there. I figure I'll shadow as time allows and then be supervised for some time. I have no delusions of being proficient any time in the near future.

 

[Greg Y]

South bend's book "how to run a lathe" and "screw cutting on the lathe" are useful.