New lathe

[Danny1788]

So after taking some advice from all you knowledgeable guys i waited to find a used lathe locally instead of buying a new lathe. So here it is



Older early 80's taiwan 12x36 with 1.5" MT5 spindle bore. It has everything im looking for in a home hobbiest lathe. I ordered a quick change tool post and am working on a coolant pump this weekend. Also I installed some Cheap DRO on it just for a quick reference. I figured the DRO isnt going to be used for any barrel work just rough cuts to get close then mic everything once im close.

These are the first threads I cut on it last night, i was using a cheap carbide insert so the finish is not great but they are 1/2-13tpi



Everything seems to work pretty good and smooth on the lathe, a hell of alot better then the first lathe i had.

 

[ridgeway]

Looks like cold rolled...its hard making smooth threads with cold rolled.

 

[Danny1788]

It was a stub of a barrel i had, cheap remington SPS finish.

 

[ridgeway]

It was a stub of a barrel i had, cheap remington SPS finish.

Well, not much better than cold rolled then, LOL

How much barrel did you have hanging out past the chuck? Anything more and twice the diameter, you want to support with a center.

Keep your tooling sharp and practice away.

 

[jrm850]

That looks almost identical to a Taiwan built Jet BDB 13x40 that I have been using for the last 25 years. The only difference I can see is the Paint color and the tailstock handwheel.

 

[Danny1788]

I looked as much as i could to find out more about the lathe. Pretty sure its a generic Taiwan lathe sold to a bunch of different companys IE Jet, Grizzly, Enco and others. The only thing i wish that was different is that it had a D1-4 spindle mount becuase its threaded 2-14/" 8TPI but i got it at a really good price so just bought it.

 

[skeetlee]

Are the new 13" jet lathes made in china? I was thinking they were?

 

[Danny1788]

Got the DRO all setup this morning.







Working on mouting the 5" barrel spider to a spare back plate

 

[Danny1788]

I have a cover built for the cross slide DRO but i havent installed it yet. Im also going to tap the outboard spindle end for some brass tipped screws.

 

[STS]

You're getting there. Keep it up and you'll be ready to make chips of some high dollar steel pretty soon.

 

[jrm850]

The bed on that one looks heavier than the JET version.

 

[Danny1788]

How did i do? this was the first barrel i dialed in.


Click on Video to watch

 

[338 Mollett]

Your good that way .What does it look like with the feeler run in the bore ?

 

[Danny1788]

It was damn near the same, I couldnt tell any difference with the indicator ran in further. I know its not perfect as it starts on one side of the line and then ends up on the otherside of the line but less then .0005" right?

 

[338 Mollett]

Start cuttin brother!

 

[muley]

.300WBYMAG
Which DRO did you install on ur lathe?

 

[Danny1788]

http://grizzly.com/products/36-Remote-Digital-Readout/T26628
http://grizzly.com/products/12-Remote-Digital-Readout/T26626

Cheap I gaging DRO from grizzly, after working with it a couple days the only issue i see is the DRO is not very fast with the read out. I stop before i get to zero and finish the cut manually. It fairly accurate im learning to just sneek up on my cuts and check with a mic for final diameter.

I also made metal covers that go over them but i havent taken any pictures of them yet. I have talked with other people using them and they told me that oil or cutting fluid on the scale with give false readings so i try to keep them covered as best i can.

 

[Danny1788]

Muley what reamer holder are you using?

 

[muley]

I use a JGS and a PTG both cut great check your lathe for tailstock alignment get it as close as you can then have at it. When you dial in go slowly making sure to relieve stress in the setup as you go. There are many opinions here and as many ways to skin the cat. I took classes from Trinidad college it helped with what was necessary and what was myth. However instructors there have change they now teach at a different school. I have taken chambering classes from some very respected gunsmiths their methods are very similar with just subtle differences again find what works for you so you can repeat the accuracy. Classes helped with understanding the components of the rifle all working together to bring about consistent accuracy. In a nut shell JMHO minimize vibration within the system the reason for all of what is practiced. At the speeds you will be working at use Arthur Warner tooling it works well and is easy to sharpen. Practice cuts learn the feeds and speeds for your machine. A lathe has lost motion so as you stated before DRO close then check frequently. Check your dialed in setup as you chamber to make sure it is holding throughout the chambering process. After all the pains taking process pray you can locate bullets and powder to use it enough to get good with it. REMEMBER THIS IS FUN FUN FUN

 

[Danny1788]

Thanks Muley great advise, cant wait to do my first one.