Lathework for Beginners

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Russell Eberhardt on 11/12/2018 08:37:17:

Half centre enables you to get the tool closer to the centre of the work. I don't often use my live centre. Keep the centre well lubricated to prevent wear.

Russell

Or more clearance if threading towards the tail stock at high speed!

I only use a solid centre if the job demands – otherwise a good revolving centre, as rubbish ones defeat the objective. A solid centre is better than a cheap live one – as long as the tailstock is good, of course (minimum quill extension at all times).

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

Thanks Russell/ndiy

I will get a live one and a half centre, I see you can get carbide tipped ones, obviously for less wear.

Ron

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

Ron,

A carbide centre may wear less but don't forget the centre drilling in the job! That will wear too if not lubricated and / or too tightly adjusted! Don't forget to check once in a while during machining too, if the job warms up it can get longer, increasing the load on the centre. When I was a lad working for Her Majesty they were too tight to give us live centres (far too expensive) so it was dead centres and a pot of tallow!

Paul.

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

Thanks Paul I will bear those points in mind, amazing really but I have had the lathe six months and never used the centre, I just havnt had any jobs yet that needed it.

Ron

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I use a centre on nearly all surface turning. Adjusted properly, it should not appreciably increase axial thrust but will always reduce radial thrust (or even deflection) of the workpiece.

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

I am looking at quick change tool posts and there is a wide selection from cheap to expensive. The more expensive ones are obviously better quality or at least you would hope so and it appears that they are all steel. Most of the less expensive types from mid priced down to cheap have an aluminium main mounting block which put me off but then I thought should it..? Does anyone have any experience of or is using the aluminium type..?

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

Can't think of any off hand that are aluminium. They are almost all universally made of steel. I'd avoid the cheap copies of the Dickson style of QCTP but there are cheaper designs to be had that seem to work OK.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Ron Laden on 23/12/2018 09:44:31:

I am looking at quick change tool posts and there is a wide selection from cheap to expensive. The more expensive ones are obviously better quality or at least you would hope so and it appears that they are all steel. Most of the less expensive types from mid priced down to cheap have an aluminium main mounting block which put me off but then I thought should it..? Does anyone have any experience of or is using the aluminium type..?

Ron, I'd recommend the 000 QCTP as good match for mini lathes or myfords. Nicer than the one designed with the mini-lathe in mind.

I have one and I'm agonising about whether I make the dovetails in all my home made toolholders 3mm wider and fit it to my mini lathe.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 23/12/2018 12:13:11

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