What to build out of a small lathe? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Steinbruchsoldat · 07-27-2012, 01:49 PM

Hi guys,
got this lathe for dirt cheap and i`m not sure what to do with it. First i wanted to sell it, but i`l probably keep it...

What should i build out of it? A badass notcher?

ryantowry_81 · 07-27-2012, 02:44 PM

no need for a small lathe i am assuming? my dad had an old jewelers lathe before he passed and it came in handy making litte odds and ends such as custom bushings bolts etc.

I mean you could easily make a notcher attachment also but i would not if it made it so you could not use it as a lathe after.

Steinbruchsoldat · 07-27-2012, 02:51 PM

I already got another small one that`s a lot better quality, so i don`t need this one for turning...

Arya Ebrahimi · 07-27-2012, 08:58 PM

Curious to hear ideas on this too, I've got a very similar lathe in a similar situation.

[486] · 07-27-2012, 10:55 PM

Set it up with a die grinder as a toolpost grinder. Then when you want to turn hard things like bearing races you don't have to get grinder dust all over your nice lathe.

Might slick up the chinese ways a bit too, being coated in grinder dust.

Todd W · 07-28-2012, 07:52 AM

Small parts

billybob_81067 · 07-28-2012, 11:02 AM

I would agree with the toolpost grinder idea. They come in handy from time to time!

I took one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/flexibl...ver-40432.html

And drilled out a boring bar holder for my quick change toolpost to fit the grinder handle. Then I just hang the motor on a hook over my lathe and plug it in directly instead of through the variable speed pedal and start grinding! Works like a champ! Oh I also bored out the chuck on the little handle thing to accept 1/4 shank bits too... It only accepted 1/8 or 3/16 before.

Grumpy356 · 07-28-2012, 01:29 PM

A mini cannon is a great project to get your feet wet with using a mini lathe.

Gozuki · 07-28-2012, 04:24 PM

I'd make a notcher if you need one. A large roughing endmill in the chuck, and use the cross slide to feed the tube in.

Steinbruchsoldat · 07-29-2012, 08:16 AM

I decided to build a notcher with a holesaw for now:

Todd W · 07-29-2012, 10:07 AM

Holesaw notcher ? Seems like a waste.

Sell it.

Buy holesaw notcher.

Profit difference

Steinbruchsoldat · 07-29-2012, 10:14 AM

I already have a notcher, but this is a lot more comfortable to use...

But, i decided that it`s not worth it. I`m going to sell it, to raise my funds to buy a mill...

FuzzyZ · 07-29-2012, 10:55 AM

lot of the professional chassis builders use lathes for notching. work good and make good looking cuts.

jkh533 · 07-30-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steinbruchsoldat

I decided to build a notcher with a holesaw for now:

More details please.

Gozuki · 07-30-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkh533

More details please.

"A large roughing endmill in the chuck, and use the cross slide to feed the tube in. "

In this case a hole saw, but everything else is the same. There's really not much more to it

[486] · 07-30-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gozuki

"A large roughing endmill in the chuck, and use the cross slide to feed the tube in. "

In this case a hole saw, but everything else is the same. There's really not much more to it

If he can't build it from the pic, more explanation isn't going to help.

JM93LiftedYJ · 07-30-2012, 09:55 AM

In high school we made bongs...

Elvis13 · 07-30-2012, 07:43 PM

All 3 pictures have the whole saw chucked up in different locations. What gives?

CRO · 07-30-2012, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvis13

All 3 pictures have the whole saw chucked up in different locations. What gives?

I would think that it comes down to a guy figuring shit out for himself by doing it... obviously the holesaw needed more spacing to clear the chuck on angle notches

Steinbruchsoldat · 07-31-2012, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRO

I would think that it comes down to a guy figuring shit out for himself by doing it... obviously the holesaw needed more spacing to clear the chuck on angle notches

That...

jkh533 · 07-31-2012, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gozuki

"A large roughing endmill in the chuck, and use the cross slide to feed the tube in. "

In this case a hole saw, but everything else is the same. There's really not much more to it

Quote:

Originally Posted by [486]

If he can't build it from the pic, more explanation isn't going to help.

I guess I should have been more specific?

I only see one bolt holding the tube holder in place? Any trouble with it moving on you as you feed the tube in? Is something else there we cant see?
Speaking of the tube holder, is it just some square "tube" the tube fits in, I would think it would want to rotate if only held in place by a jam bolt which could also scar up the tube being notched?

I understand the concept, yes it can be built from the pics.

Mikes79bronco · 07-31-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkh533

I guess I should have been more specific?

I only see one bolt holding the tube holder in place? Any trouble with it moving on you as you feed the tube in? Is something else there we cant see?
Speaking of the tube holder, is it just some square "tube" the tube fits in, I would think it would want to rotate if only held in place by a jam bolt which could also scar up the tube being notched?

I understand the concept, yes it can be built from the pics.

stick a penny between the bolt and tube.

Steinbruchsoldat · 07-31-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkh533

I guess I should have been more specific?

I only see one bolt holding the tube holder in place? Any trouble with it moving on you as you feed the tube in? Is something else there we cant see?
Speaking of the tube holder, is it just some square "tube" the tube fits in, I would think it would want to rotate if only held in place by a jam bolt which could also scar up the tube being notched?

I understand the concept, yes it can be built from the pics.

Yes, it`s only one 1/2" bolt holding the tube holder. It doesn`t rotate, everything is rock solid...

The tube holder is some scrap welded together to a somewhat "square" tube with an angle iron where the tube is pressed against...

07-27-2012, 01:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Steinbruchsoldat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Member # 181746 Location: Germany Posts: 372	What to build out of a small lathe? Hi guys, got this lathe for dirt cheap and i`m not sure what to do with it. First i wanted to sell it, but i`l probably keep it... What should i build out of it? A badass notcher? __________________ I'd rather die trying to live, than live trying not to die.

07-27-2012, 02:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Steinbruchsoldat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Member # 181746 Location: Germany Posts: 372	I already got another small one that`s a lot better quality, so i don`t need this one for turning... __________________ I'd rather die trying to live, than live trying not to die.

07-27-2012, 08:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Arya Ebrahimi Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7876 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 4,214	Curious to hear ideas on this too, I've got a very similar lathe in a similar situation. __________________ DD/Tow-rig: '06 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax Classic Rig: '88 FJ62, 100% stock In the weeds waiting for resurrection: '94 FZJ80, 33s, locked

07-27-2012, 10:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
[486] Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Member # 192237 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,308	Set it up with a die grinder as a toolpost grinder. Then when you want to turn hard things like bearing races you don't have to get grinder dust all over your nice lathe. Might slick up the chinese ways a bit too, being coated in grinder dust. Last edited by [486]; 07-27-2012 at 10:55 PM.

07-28-2012, 07:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Todd W I make websites! Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12429 Location: Rubicon Trail - CA Posts: 10,332 Blog Entries: 9	Small parts __________________ My 4x4 Blog Rockwell axles too!

07-27-2012, 02:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
ryantowry_81 Expert Web Wheeler Join Date: Oct 2008 Member # 122722 Location: chicago park, CA Posts: 978	no need for a small lathe i am assuming? my dad had an old jewelers lathe before he passed and it came in handy making litte odds and ends such as custom bushings bolts etc. I mean you could easily make a notcher attachment also but i would not if it made it so you could not use it as a lathe after.

07-28-2012, 11:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
billybob_81067 Granite Guru Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 52387 Location: Rocky Ford, Colorado Posts: 889	I would agree with the toolpost grinder idea. They come in handy from time to time! I took one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/flexibl...ver-40432.html And drilled out a boring bar holder for my quick change toolpost to fit the grinder handle. Then I just hang the motor on a hook over my lathe and plug it in directly instead of through the variable speed pedal and start grinding! Works like a champ! Oh I also bored out the chuck on the little handle thing to accept 1/4 shank bits too... It only accepted 1/8 or 3/16 before.

07-28-2012, 01:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Grumpy356 hate keeps me warm Join Date: Jan 2010 Member # 151139 Location: Brazoria County Texas Posts: 872	A mini cannon is a great project to get your feet wet with using a mini lathe. __________________ There ain't no good in an evil-hearted woman And I ain't cut out to be no Jesse James And you don't go writing hot checks down in Mississippi And there ain't no good chain gang

07-29-2012, 08:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
Steinbruchsoldat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Member # 181746 Location: Germany Posts: 372	I decided to build a notcher with a holesaw for now: __________________ I'd rather die trying to live, than live trying not to die.

07-29-2012, 10:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
Todd W I make websites! Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12429 Location: Rubicon Trail - CA Posts: 10,332 Blog Entries: 9	Holesaw notcher ? Seems like a waste. Sell it. Buy holesaw notcher. Profit difference __________________ My 4x4 Blog Rockwell axles too!

07-29-2012, 10:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
Steinbruchsoldat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Member # 181746 Location: Germany Posts: 372	I already have a notcher, but this is a lot more comfortable to use... But, i decided that it`s not worth it. I`m going to sell it, to raise my funds to buy a mill... __________________ I'd rather die trying to live, than live trying not to die.

07-29-2012, 10:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
FuzzyZ Trailbusters4x4 club Join Date: Aug 2008 Member # 117547 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 1,327	lot of the professional chassis builders use lathes for notching. work good and make good looking cuts. __________________ 83 toy pickup, 02 TJ, 02 GMC 2500HD Trailbusters4x4 club Solano County Dont blame me i voted Republican! ECV 1004

07-30-2012, 07:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
Elvis13 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Member # 206195 Posts: 104	All 3 pictures have the whole saw chucked up in different locations. What gives?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode