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Slitting Saw Recommendations
It Seems that a Slitting Saw & arbor would be prudent additions to my
accessory order but there are soooo many to choose from. For general work (not slotting), what size would prob. be best (most common, most economical)? What arbor size is the most common? I expect I'll be doing mostly alum. but might need it for steel too. Seems that an arbor might be a good first project. Thanks. Rance |
Re: HF 8x12 - Tool Bit Size
Ed,
Thanks. That's exactly what I needed to know. I don't plan on buying the commercial QCTP, I plan on making my own. Prob. build it for the 3/8" tools. I do like the idea of using the 4-way that comes with the lathe. For now I may buy a few 1/2 AND 3/8. Rance --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Ed Boysun" <boysungran@...> wrote: All it takes then is .022 shim to bring the cutting edge to the center. Theput a QCTP on the lathe, then 3/8" seems like a better choice, as folkssay the tool holders don't quite go down far enough to center thecutting edge with 1/2" bits. For my uses, I find the 4-way post and 1/2"tools quite acceptable.size a 3/8tool bits my 8x12-to-be takes. 3/8 or 5/16? Even if it will hold should I just use 5/16 for some reason? Thanks. |
Re: HF 8x12 - Tool Bit Size
Ed Boysun
If you intend to use the OEM 4-way toolpost, it needs 1/2" bits. All it
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takes then is .022 shim to bring the cutting edge to the center. The smaller bits would need quite a bit more shimming. If you intend to put a QCTP on the lathe, then 3/8" seems like a better choice, as folks say the tool holders don't quite go down far enough to center the cutting edge with 1/2" bits. For my uses, I find the 4-way post and 1/2" tools quite acceptable. Ed B --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "rancerupp" <rupps@...> wrote:
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Re: mini laths
G'day Mike et al.
CHUCK GUARD. You have to seriously wonder at the value of the chuck guard. Somewhere in OH&S regs they say all rotsting pats must be guarded. On automatic machines its presence is justified but on manual machines it adds little to safety and may in itself create a hazard. It obscures you vision when sighting how close the tool is to the chuck and puts you at risk of crashing the tool into the chuck. My lathe has a guard, thankfully without a kill switch so it is always up; I only put it down if coolant is being flung about by the chuck. I have seen others in this group advocate leaving the change gear cover off. I do not endorse this because it would be easy to let your fingers stray towards the gears when using the lathe. The chuck guard is another matter. Let's do a JSA (Job Safety Analysis) First danger: leaving the key in chuck; this should be overcome by developing good habits; also starting slowly means the key drops out rather than is flung out (this is inherent with the speed control needing to be reset. Second danger: clothing being caught in the chuck dragging in the operator; overcome by wearing correct clothing, short sleeves, no ties ec. Third danger: ring finger getting caught, ripping off portion of finger; overcome by taking rings off. Forth danger: Swarf etc flung from chuck into eyes (it does happen); overcome by wearing safety glasses. The list goes on but each risk can be controlled by correct practices. IMHO, take off the chuck guard and bridge out the limit switch. As a professional I am safety focused, here is a very recent example. I had a family from our church over for a meal. The son is doing metal work at school and together we turned up a quicky widget on the lathe. The corners need rounding so I showed him how the file must be used left handed and stressed that your arms must not cross over the chuck and the file should be on a line passing outside the body. Next day he went to school and was using a lathe with a file. He apparently followed my instructions much to the surprise of his teacher who asked how he learned the correct way. Response, "The pastor of our church showed me!" My point. We must learn SAFE PRACTICES along with the skills we master and, using groups like this, we must pass them on. the chuck guard does little to enhance safe practice, it is appropriately named, chuck it away! One good turn deserves another. Regards, Ian --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Mike Payson" <mike@...> wrote: I'm not sure if it's standard to all of the 7x's now, but the HF adds a chuck saftey shield that is only 3" from the center of the chuck,so without removing it, somehow moving your work 3" or so from thespindle, the largest work you can possibly turn is 6". |
Re: ENCO Free Shipping for a short time
Sounds great,
Anyone know if that promo includes international freight? I put the code in and their web software seems happy. Then again, I know international is all a big kludge on their web site. They manually set me up weird account settings that force manual processing via a specific office. I'm not game enough to commit the order. Very nice thought though! John --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "selbycruz" <danselby@...> wrote: use-enco.com. WBCM7 in the promo code box on the shopping cart page and then click Apply. |
Re: mini laths
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "MZT.Groups" <mzt.groups@...>
wrote: in a way it would fit safely on the remaining piece? That would let youkeep that 'safety feature' of the machine during normal work, to have it quickly Hi Marcello, I reckon you could easily fabricate a bigger mounting block for the rod and microswitch to place the rod further out. Say 3 1/2" from spindle centre. The problem is the clear plastic guard itself. Perhaps you could heat form some clear polycarbonate over some large pipe or turn up a 7" wooden former (with the guard removed). The original is semi-enclosed on the h/s end with a partial reinforcing web. That's easy for an injection molding machine but less than easy to fabricate. I guess transparency of the end isn't so important so you could improvise with sheet aluminium. Here in Oz we have some 3 litre soft drink cans about the right size to do the whole thing in tinplate. At the end of the day it's gonna look real ugly no matter how you go. You'd have to be really committed to keeping a chuck guard to go for it. Yet it would have been so easy for Sieg to mold one the right size. Perhaps if we all pester their tech support they'll put out a 7" accessory guard. And if we all returned our machines to suppliers for refunds (not 7" as advertised) they'll fit them for free! Dream on... John |
Re: mini laths
MZT.Groups
On the HF, the lathe guard mount itself is 3" from the chuck center.Thank You, Mike, now I've got a clearer picture of the machine. That would mean you cannot simply unscrew the guard because the rod would stay in place. Would it be possible to cut off part of the rod and modify the guard in a way it would fit safely on the remaining piece? That would let you keep that 'safety feature' of the machine during normal work, to have it quickly removed only when it prevents you from doing the job. Marcello |
Re: Homier compound slide travel?
--- In 7x12minilathe@...
<mailto:7x12minilathe@...> , "Mike Payson" <mike@...> wrote: <> ) as well as the Homier website, the compound on their 7x has only 1.38" travel, vs.Hi Mike, That's a pretty rubbery parameter. It just depends how much dovetail & gib engagement is adequate for what you're doing. The fully advanced position of the compound is a hard stop with all 3 gib screws contributing to toolpost rigidity. As you crank the compound back there is less and less dovetail engagement. My manual (pretty well a stock Sieg C2) says "55mm (effective)". That's probably about right. At that point you still have 2 of the 3 gib gib screws within the dovetail. Rigidity degrades rapidly beyond that point. However, there's no way one could specify travel to 3 decimals of an inch! I think these lathes are natively metric with imperial specs and leadscrew a concession to the US market. So you're asking whether the spec should be 35mm or 55mm. That's a more probable typo and the latter figure looks more like the hardware. Perhaps Homier made a typo and LMS copied it or both fell victim to a Sieg typo. Either way, I can assure you there's little degradation in rigidity between the 35mm and 55mm points. John |
Homier compound slide travel?
Mike Payson
According to LittleMachineShop
() as well as the Homier website, the compound on their 7x has only 1.38" travel, vs. 2.165" for most of the others. Can anyone confirm whether that's accurate or not? I'm assuming that it's an error on Homier's part, but I'm hesitant to get one without confirming it. Thanks! |
Re: [SPAM] New Mini Lathe For The Newbie...
Mike Payson
At $299 for the 7x12, the Homier is really tough to beat. You'll
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probably want to get their lathe starter kit as well, which includes a nice selection of accessories. You'll still need some extra stuff, most notably tool bits, which you can get from littlemachineshop.com. On 3/20/07, D.K. <oldlugs@...> wrote:
Thanks, Chuck. |
Re: New member
Thanks for the explanations Ian and others. This makes sense.
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., andrew franks <andyf1108@...> wrote: pictures". Now it's my turn to hit the sack.and because it has to be ground after the heat treatment it is likelyto be to a closer tolerance. The downside, and hence the need for thechuck on the ways could cause a piece to chip off; see below for mymust allow it to go through the spindle, and the chuck and into the tailthe chuck place a piece of wood on the ways under the chuck. Pass thethen undo the chuck retaining nuts without the risk of it falling ontothe bed. When the chuck is free from the spindle, grasp it securely inif during the process you have to grovell round on the floor to thegod of clumsiness to sort out the nuts from accumlated swarf!a hoist or whistling up a crane. As trainees we each ahd a bar beside |
Re: [SPAM] New Mini Lathe For The Newbie...
D.K.
Thanks, Chuck.
I just read those posts. I already knew that many people love them for their value vs. cost. I have heard others call them toys though. Anyway, I'm sure I'll have much fun with one, as it will be my new toy! [:D] So, who's got the best deal on one right now, and what features are the most popular? Also, what kind of tooling should I be looking at? I'll be cutting aluminum and brass alloys, mostly. Cheers, Duane --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Charles E. Kinzer" <ckinzer@...> wrote: this group. Look in the group archives starting on March 18 for posts titled "7x12 vs. DB200 Unimat". experience and/or own other lathes. I don't think any will say the mini-lathes are a toy.
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Re: Stripped Gib Screw Solution??
Still, replacing the screws with decent quality ones is a
worthwhile "someday" project. "Real" socket head screws are significantly harder/stronger than their no-name Asian clones. Similarly, good quality hex keys are significantly stronger & better fitting than the cheapies. Roy --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Herb" <hwederma@...> wrote: the dremelallen wrench just spins in it. Can I "slot" it with a small towheel so that a slotted screw driver will work on it? Or should Ijustorder a new one? thanks, Herb W. go the hardware store insearch of new screws when I tried a regularwith a micrometer and it turns out the Harbor Freight tool is .0016smaller than the other allen wrench. So I'll have to use a regular allenHerb W. : ) |
Re: Lapping gibs...tips?
When I straightened mine, I used the drill press as an arbor press
with a dial indicator to show quill travel. It took deflecting the gib strip about 0.015" to remove the 0.005" curve it initially had. Since I was measuring quill travel I used relatively large risers to support the piece. Using calibrated supports would eliminate the need to measure actual quill travel. I lapped with the strips in place, instead of lapping them separately. Since I was trying to improve the overall contact area it seemed logical to lap with them in their assembled location. By the same token, I only lapped until I had reasonable surface contact. By minimizing the amount of lapping I avoided much risk of making the gibs convex; the actual lapping was consistent with loathing of the process. (Used to have to do it on relatively large steam fittings in a previous incarnation.) Roy --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Paul Moir" <paul.moir@...> wrote: Begin by determining if the the gibs are straight enough to be lapped anda drill press as an arbor press to straighten the gibs. Support theholder for them. I just ran a short scrap block of oak through a tablesaw, with the blade set to cut about 3/32" or so depth, with an angle toa sharp chisel, etc. Could even superglue it to a block and releaseit later with acetone.I've never lapped gibs - any particular tips? |
Re: [SPAM] New Mini Lathe For The Newbie...
Charles E. Kinzer
The worth of these lathes was just discussed about two days ago on this group. Look in the group archives starting on March 18 for posts titled "7x12 vs. DB200 Unimat".
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Quite a few on this list and the 7x10minilathe list have machining experience and/or own other lathes. I don't think any will say the mini-lathes are a toy. Chuck K. ----- Original Message -----
From: D.K. To: 7x12minilathe@... Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 3:16 PM Subject: [SPAM] [7x12minilathe] New Mini Lathe For The Newbie... Hey folks, I've just joined the group, and I'm looking to buy a new mini lathe for turning some R/C model engine parts... I want to make my own head buttons, cooling jackets, carb parts, etc. for nitro powered model race boats I play with. I understand that many people consider the Chinese mini lathes to be "toys", but If I can get some parts made and learn a bit at the same time, I can always step up to higher quality unit later on. Since I haven't yet decided on my new mini lathe, what's the best deal/brand name going right now? Looking to spend under $500 for the lathe itself... Thanks in advance for your advice. :) Duane Kennard |
Re: mini laths
Their next version will probably satisfy all the safety requirements
by making it impossible to cut anything;-) Roy --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "born4something" <ajs@...> wrote: a machinethethat was never designed with it in mind and this makers "bodge"has affectedthe capacity. My 3 YO machine came without and the full 7" isuseable and Idont think that the lack of a guard is an issue.just point).face plateonlyassociatedto fit this lathe despite the fact that the guard andI waskill switch must be removed to use the faceplate. That's whatwrote:sold to go with my 7x12. has anow,6" usableswing. I'm not sure if it's standard to all of the 7x's butback,thethe HF addsa chuck saftey shield that is only 3" from the center of thechuck, sowithout removing it, somehow moving your work 3" or so fromspindle, thelargest work you can possibly turn is 6". I'm taking it Grizthe HFthough Ihaven't yet decided whether to replace it with the Homier,9x20(which they will honor the 30% off for, so $560) or the G0602was(and10x22,which is really more then I should spend, but a much betterbetterequipped) lathe. theforcomesbestbuy I could find. It costs $299 and the only accessory itwithis a fixed center. scheduled(with$399. Forthe extra $100 you get (1) Tailstock Drill Chuck 1-13mmPlate,key, (2)Moving Steady, (3) Fixed Steady, (4) 6 1/4" diameter Face$103, so(5) 5piece cutting tool set. Bought separately, these totalfor 10%unlessyou need all of them, I didn't see it as worth it. forMicroMarkdelivery Wednesday. |
Re: Another approach to indexing on a 7x14 Lathe
cedge11
Andy
The indexing plate itself is maybe a little bit pricey, at 60 bucks, but it's also a very convenient size, very light weight and it doesn't require removal to run the lathe. It tucks very nicely inside the profile of the gear box and tool rail, keeping it out of the way. You'll have to fabricate an indexing pin arrangement and I made my own expanding mandrel so it was a custom fit for the plate and the spindle hollow. The indexing plate is offered at and was originally designed for the tiny Taig lathe. They told me I was the first 7x-- mini lathe owner to attempt using their plate. I supppose I really should invite them to see the end results too. I looked at a number of indexing plate options before I put my money down and this one just made sense for what I was looking to do. I'm pretty sure I was just bragging on the higher accuracy of your version over this one.... LOL Steve --- In 7x12minilathe@..., andrew franks <andyf1108@...> wrote: to know where you sourced those particular indexing plates. They don't look expensive, and would involve less calculation, and suffer from less backlash, than my crude detent in a geartrain (alias "peg in the cogwheels") method. Andyto indexing the spindle of a mini lathe. His method was probably a lot morenew Yahoo! Security Centre. |
Re: Another approach to indexing on a 7x14 Lathe
andrew franks
Steve, I'm a bit "that's near enough" myself, but I'd be interested to know where you sourced those particular indexing plates. They don't look expensive, and would involve less calculation, and suffer from less backlash, than my crude detent in a geartrain (alias "peg in the cogwheels") method.
Andy cedge11 <cedge@...> wrote: I recently enjoyed the thread showing one owner's approach to indexing the spindle of a mini lathe. His method was probably a lot more accurate than my approach since mine doesn't allow for adjustment in minutes and seconds. This one is a bit more down an dirty, for those of us who still have the "About" marks on our measuring devices...(grin) You can have a peek at it at The commercially available, predrilled indexing plate is mounted on an homemade expandable mandrel which has an oversized taper designed to center things against the opening edge of the lathe's outside spindle end. The opposite end is designed to expand against the spindle interior when the outer aluminum knob is turned, making for a solidly centered tool position. This takes only a minor few seconds to install or remove. There is a fresh mounting rail on top of the gear box cover where the hinged indexing pin assembly is mounted for easy removal. The indexing pin assembly allows the pin to slide up or down as needed to match up with the desired ring of holes. Pretty basic, but it's saved me hours of time when I needed to scribe dial marks or create a radial hole pattern for a small cylinder head. I'll seldom need more than 60 holes in one of those, but a huge range of numerical combinations are made quite easy by the indexing plate and any error induction has not been noticable so far. Just another way to get there I guess... Steve --------------------------------- To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. |
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