Need some info on buying a lathe

[dnellans]

I use a #10 copper wire in contact with the barrel. I've never had a slip.

You put a copper wire around it even with a spider?

 

[butchlambert]

You put a copper wire around it even with a spider?

I don't know but I think Wayne might be using a 4 jaw.

 

[WayneShaw]

Yes, but a shortened version.

 

[dnellans]

I don't know but I think Wayne might be using a 4 jaw.

right - thats what i do on a 4 jaw as well

 

[dnellans]

Yes, but a shortened version.

Picture? I'm not sure I'm getting what you mean. A copper wire ring would only make the contact points more precarious in my vision of what you're describing.

 

[WayneShaw]

I bought a direct mount independent 4jaw. That saves the space of a mounting plate. I then took the jaws off and cut the two outside steps off, so only the main jaw with the threads remain. It saved about 2" over the regular 4jaw.

I did get my hands on a backing plate that is thick enough to put screws in, but have never gotten around to it.

 

[skeetlee]

get a 3phase machine with built in VFD your threads will thank you! Acer 1440E

 

[butchlambert]

My Grizzly 0776 arrived today. Contemplating a 3 phase motor change. I guess that I will need some adjustable feet as nothing was provided. I need some 200 tool holders as mine are 300. I have 6 or 7 Aloris chucks, but will need one with a #3 taper for the tail stock. Of course it is dry and I need to check if I have enough lube for it.

 

[BuffaloBill]

My Grizzly 0776 arrived today. Contemplating a 3 phase motor change. I guess that I will need some adjustable feet as nothing was provided. I need some 200 tool holders as mine are 300. I have 6 or 7 Aloris chucks, but will need one with a #3 taper for the tail stock. Of course it is dry and I need to check if I have enough lube for it.

Butch, that looks like a nice lathe. I recently installed a couple Hitachi VFDs on a buddies lathe and mill. I used same brand on mine also. There are other brands less costly but I have no experience with them. This part number: WJ200-015SF is rated for 2HP CT. I put that one on buddy’s 1.5HP Bridgeport. I used WJ200-022SF on my 2HP PM mill.

I really appreciate the VFDs not only for speed control, but for the controlled acceleration/deceleration and braking.

 

[butchlambert]

I would have bought a little better one but did not want to fool with D1-5 chucks. Too heavy for an 80yr old fool. I do have 2 VFDs on my 2 Bridgeports and my Clausing lathe is variable speed. The reason for the 3 phase motor is the speed control. My Bridgeport VFDs are about 16 yrs old and I added braking resistors to them. Instant stop is very nice some time.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Ok sorry, I should have known VFDs would be old hat to you. I used a 70ohm resistor on my mill, and it stops fairly quickly with the mill’s low rotating mass. On the lathe, a 5hp, I think I used a 50ohm. But with a 9” 3-jaw chuck spinning at a high speed, I would still trip an over bus voltage error if trying to decelerate it too quickly. The specifications were not clear to me regarding the minimum resistance the VFD’s built-in braking transistor will handle.

Do you recall what resistor you used on your Bridgeports?

I enjoy reading your posts about the chambering method you landed on. They inspired me to chamber through the headstock and use the 513-504 indicator. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I will never do anywhere close to the volumes of barrels you’ve done. But I enjoy learning techniques to help in achieving the best possible precision.

 

[Jareds]

I found a place sales@toolsequipmentssupply.com that has a lathe. There overseas in Indonesia. Have anybody used them before. Does anybody know what I would need to do from the customs stand point to get it here if I was to get one. I have lots of questions and lost on this subject.

Ed

My only input with buying a lathe is make sure the motor is a 60 hertz motor with an American style plug. I bought an el cheapo mini lathe from over seas and the damn thing came with a European style plug and it’s 50 hertz. I bought a power converter to convert 120v to I think they use 250v in Europe and some of the Asian countries. But there’s nothing I could do to convert it to 60 hertz (without spending lots of money) so the motor always runs faster than it should. Doesn’t have much of a slow rpm setting because of that. It’s rpm settings are fast, faster, ridiculous

 

[butchlambert]

Ok sorry, I should have known VFDs would be old hat to you. I used a 70ohm resistor on my mill, and it stops fairly quickly with the mill’s low rotating mass. On the lathe, a 5hp, I think I used a 50ohm. But with a 9” 3-jaw chuck spinning at a high speed, I would still trip an over bus voltage error if trying to decelerate it too quickly. The specifications were not clear to me regarding the minimum resistance the VFD’s built-in braking transistor will handle.

Do you recall what resistor you used on your Bridgeports?

I enjoy reading your posts about the chambering method you landed on. They inspired me to chamber through the headstock and use the 513-504 indicator. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I will never do anywhere close to the volumes of barrels you’ve done. But I enjoy learning techniques to help in achieving the best possible precision.

That was a long time ago. I'll check tomorrow.

 

[butchlambert]

Family day, I didn't check for you yet.

 

[Clark]

I would have bought a little better one but did not want to fool with D1-5 chucks. Too heavy for an 80yr old fool. I do have 2 VFDs on my 2 Bridgeports and my Clausing lathe is variable speed. The reason for the 3 phase motor is the speed control. My Bridgeport VFDs are about 16 yrs old and I added braking resistors to them. Instant stop is very nice some time.

My Clausing 5913 had a 10" 4 jaw buck chuck that came with it. I made a two handle cradle and lifted that until I was 60. Now at 71, I would need a gurney to lift a 10" chuck onto a lathe. I have now been using PM1236 every day for 11 years.

 

[hpshooter]

My Clausing 5913 had a 10" 4 jaw buck chuck that came with it. I made a two handle cradle and lifted that until I was 60. Now at 71, I would need a gurney to lift a 10" chuck onto a lathe. I have now been using PM1236 every day for 11 years.

Even my Jacobs aluminum L-1 spindle flex collet chuck has mysteriously gained weight in the last 4 years.

Looking at running a section of barn door track over the center line of the lathe and rigging an over head chuck storage set up for the chucks to save lifting.

 

[butchlambert]

Ok sorry, I should have known VFDs would be old hat to you. I used a 70ohm resistor on my mill, and it stops fairly quickly with the mill’s low rotating mass. On the lathe, a 5hp, I think I used a 50ohm. But with a 9” 3-jaw chuck spinning at a high speed, I would still trip an over bus voltage error if trying to decelerate it too quickly. The specifications were not clear to me regarding the minimum resistance the VFD’s built-in braking transistor will handle.

Do you recall what resistor you used on your Bridgeports?

I enjoy reading your posts about the chambering method you landed on. They inspired me to chamber through the headstock and use the 513-504 indicator. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I will never do anywhere close to the volumes of barrels you’ve done. But I enjoy learning techniques to help in achieving the best possible precision.

OK, when Brad put the braking resistors in he put in two 100ohm resistors for each mill..

 

[BuffaloBill]

OK, when Brad put the braking resistors in he put in two 100ohm resistors for each mill..

Thank you Butch. I’m guessing they must be wired in parallel(?)

 

[butchlambert]

Thank you Butch. I’m guessing they must be wired in parallel(?)

Well, I don't know. I'm not an electrical person. My brother said when I changed batteries in my flashlight I would call Comanche Peak and have them shut down the reactor first.