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build your own lathe like me!!!
binraker - 23/9/04 at 03:17 AM

in one of the threads in here somewhere i metioned a stock built lathe and the possibility of autocad plans. well i did em today wilst sitting around from 9:30 till 4:00 trying to promote archery. so you can see them at

http://www.engineeringscotland.com/lathe.htm

nick205 - 23/9/04 at 06:48 AM

Looks very good!

I made a drill press which used a Bosch electric hand drill for my project at college, but forgot to take it away with me when I left.

The thing is that you need machine tools (lathe and mill) in order to make the parts to make your own machine tool. So if you've already got them or got access to them you probably won't want to make one. Also a small lathe from Machine Mart or similar is less than £200 if I remember.

However I do think it's cool to make your own stuff!

Nick

wilkingj - 23/9/04 at 06:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by binraker
Build your own Lathe like me!!!

in one of the threads in here somewhere i metioned a stock built lathe and the possibility of autocad plans.

http://www.engineeringscotland.com/lathe.htm


Well I didnt know you looked like a Lathe!!

Best Regards

Geoffw

MikeRJ - 26/9/04 at 06:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Looks very good!

I made a drill press which used a Bosch electric hand drill for my project at college, but forgot to take it away with me when I left.

The thing is that you need machine tools (lathe and mill) in order to make the parts to make your own machine tool. So if you've already got them or got access to them you probably won't want to make one. Also a small lathe from Machine Mart or similar is less than £200 if I remember.

However I do think it's cool to make your own stuff!

Nick


The smallest lathe they do is £340 and it's pretty tiny (259mm between centers, 153mm swing). Also they aren't very well made to be honest. There are better Chinese lathes available such as Warco.

I've been on the lookout for a decent lathe for ages, they are either knackered/broken or people want silly money for them.

binraker - 26/9/04 at 09:13 PM

thats why i decided to build one. and the fact that strip steel is made to a stupidly high level of precision (although not quite so stupidly accurate), it is cheap and readly avalable, i thought it would be simple. ot was untill i got the the chuck backplate. bit hard to make a perfect cylinder 160mm in dia. and 20mm thick from stock.

James - 28/9/04 at 03:37 PM

Looks really good mate.

Is it finished or still on it's way?

I'd be interested in seeing some more pictures if you've got them posted.

Cheers,
James

binraker - 30/9/04 at 07:44 PM

should be finished soon. just got to go and buy the bits. will update website when i get there

Screwy - 6/10/04 at 10:05 PM

Looks nice I have a half built lathe kicking about built from model engineer magazine plans which i never got round to finishing , same idea .

As mentioned flat stock plate is made to a high tollerance with regards size and flatness and dont dismiss hand tools for finish fits ie files , scrapers etc as this was how it was done in the early days of engineering to a very high tollerance .