12-11-2013, 08:03 AM
I've been using it steadily for quite sometime now and have no complaints. In fact it's the Lathe referred to in these posts;
Is .0005 runout in 10" acceptable?
http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=1467
Building John "Doubleboost's" ER-32 collet chuck.
http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=1699
First thread turning.
http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=1502
I wouldn't try hogging off .1" with it but it'll do .030 - .040" in steel with no complaints as long as the bit is sharp. I use a modified
ground bit for this as described here;
http://www.machinistblog.com/grinding-la...lt-sander/
so my rougher has more acute angles than a standard ground bit. I then normally use HSS inserts once I'm down to my final passes.
Just to clarify, thats .030 -.040 in diameter so .015 -.020 each side in steel. It would probably do .030" per side just fine I've just
never pushed it. I'm a hobbyist not in production. I've no doubt it would do .10" in aly or brass.
It's very accurate for what I do and so far has done everything I've asked it to. The 3 jaw chuck has surprisingly little runout and the
4 jaw is well made. The steady rest could use a bit more capacity. 3" diameter won't quite fit. You'll have to turn it down to 2 7/8" or so.
I've not used the steady rest.
Is .0005 runout in 10" acceptable?
http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=1467
Building John "Doubleboost's" ER-32 collet chuck.
http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=1699
First thread turning.
http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=1502
I wouldn't try hogging off .1" with it but it'll do .030 - .040" in steel with no complaints as long as the bit is sharp. I use a modified
ground bit for this as described here;
http://www.machinistblog.com/grinding-la...lt-sander/
so my rougher has more acute angles than a standard ground bit. I then normally use HSS inserts once I'm down to my final passes.
Just to clarify, thats .030 -.040 in diameter so .015 -.020 each side in steel. It would probably do .030" per side just fine I've just
never pushed it. I'm a hobbyist not in production. I've no doubt it would do .10" in aly or brass.
It's very accurate for what I do and so far has done everything I've asked it to. The 3 jaw chuck has surprisingly little runout and the
4 jaw is well made. The steady rest could use a bit more capacity. 3" diameter won't quite fit. You'll have to turn it down to 2 7/8" or so.
I've not used the steady rest.
If it's crazy but it works, it's not crazy.