My new rig: SLINKY

[SR5Dave]

That lathe is purdy!! Hopefully mine will be up and running by this weekend

The dial for the left/right axis on the bit is a bit loose, any idea on how to tighten that up?

[Ace]

You mean the compound? That's the axis that I fixed... I didn't see an adjustment but I didn't look real close either. Might have to make a thin washer and shim out some of the backlash, sounds like a good 1st project!

Lathes can get away with a lot more backlash than a mill, since you usually only feed in one direction. My new one has about .060" on the compound though, and that's too much for me.

Always remember to dial in to a number... If you want to hit .010 on the dial but over shoot, you have to back out past the back lash and then come in to .010 again.

BTW my lathe ain't pretty! Well maybe to a guy like you or me but most people would say she's ugly I'm sure!

[SR5Dave]

Originally Posted by Ace

You mean the compound? That's the axis that I fixed... I didn't see an adjustment but I didn't look real close either. Might have to make a thin washer and shim out some of the backlash, sounds like a good 1st project!

Lathes can get away with a lot more backlash than a mill, since you usually only feed in one direction. My new one has about .060" on the compound though, and that's too much for me.

Always remember to dial in to a number... If you want to hit .010 on the dial but over shoot, you have to back out past the back lash and then come in to .010 again.

BTW my lathe ain't pretty! Well maybe to a guy like you or me but most people would say she's ugly I'm sure!

We're talkin like 1/2-3/4" 8O I'll run out and stare at it for a while to see what I can work up.. I Need an excuse to get away anyhow

[EeePee]

Truck good!

Lathe ugly!!

[SR5Dave]

Ace; a few well placed washers and its tighter than a rusty jar lid. One of them used a lock washer, so if it does loosen up the lock washer will flex out and take some slack We'll see how it goes! Just gotta get that other bench today. By the weekend I should have 26 square feet of work bench

(Sorry to keep hijacking )

EeePee: There is no such thing as an ugly lathe!!

[Ace]

AdamF,
Frame is 1/2" steel heated and bent then I cut it in half lengthways to make two identical frame halves.

[Ace]

Well after several failed attempts at actuating mechanisms for the variable wheelbase, I think I got it...

https://home.comcast.net/~andy.heyd/...s/100_1195.MOV


https://home.comcast.net/~andy.heyd/...s/100_1196.MOV

[SR5Dave]

That is awesome Andy!!! Looks like it turned out good

Got the lathe working Tailstock Chuck doesn't seem like it'll take any smaller than 1/4" or so :( Sooo much fun though!!!!

[Ace]

Strange that the chuck won't hold below 1/4". I think its a 1/2" chuck right? Some 1/2" chucks have problems with small bits, but small usually means .040 or smaller.

Maybe there's some crud in the jaws? try cleaning it really good.