New member in Cumbria

[Keith GauntParticipant @keithgaunt39856]

Complete Novice

[Keith GauntParticipant @keithgaunt39856]

Hi my name's Keith and i'm an Engineering Surveyor, still full time but way past the official retirement age. A few months ago, after a lot of deliberation I bought myself a Warco WM180 lathe. My interest came about from my work coming up with ideas for little gadgets and gizmos that could make the job easier and more precise. I have always had a love of old machinery and instruments even though I work with state of the art instruments at the moment they still don't have the feel of the old solid instruments. Anyway back to the WM180, which I hadn't really done much with apart from fix it down to a bench, until this lockdown. I bought some of the other essential tools that go with it (shows how much I know) and watched YouTube videos every night. Now it's all I think about, so i'll have a lot of questions once I get the hang of the terminology.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Hello Keith and welcome to this excellent forum. I suppose I'm a Southener compared to you, living near Mansfield.

You have certainly come to the right place to ask questions, you will find most of us are as helpful as can be.

Brian

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Hi Keith welcome to the forum. There are plenty of helpful members on here just ask. What interests you and what are you likely to make. If you need to post pictures etc you have to create an album and there is information on how to in the forum tab in the top of the page then FAQ web site tab.

David

[David NobleParticipant @davidnoble71990]

Hello Keith,

Welcome to the forum. I'm just over the border in Lancashire, if I can help, just shout.

David

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Welcome Keith. Great forum to be a member of.

Steve.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

I just noticed that you are from Cumbria. My 2nd home. I have spent a lot of time in the lake district from being a child. Still ride my bike up there when I have the chance. Coniston is my favourite.

I used to ski at Windermere before it all got stopped.

Steve.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Welcome to the forum, Keith,

Neil

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Welcome Keith another Lancastrian here also just over the border — venture to Haverthwaite regularly when not in lockdown – confined to barracks just now ! Happy to help or advise but my onboard computer was programmed in imperial

John

[Gibbo568Participant @gibbo568]

Hello Keith, from another Keith G(ibson), also from Cumbria!

Where abouts, I'm in Workington.

[Keith GauntParticipant @keithgaunt39856]

Hello Keith

I'm in Egremont, whereabouts in Workington are you. As I said I've got myself a Chinese lathe (Warco 180) which is the imperial model, because I was too impatient to wait for the metric to be available. I thought that would be ok since I would want a DRO fitted anyway, anyway I decided to try and come to terms with imperial measurements while learning how to operate the lathe and since I wouldn't need any precise measurements yet there was no rush for the DRO. Having said that I've just ordered a kit from Ebay this morning, my head was done in just looking at the handwheel dials. So I might have a few questions regarding the fitting of it.

Keith

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

You will not regret getting the DRO for the mill. I have used mine over the last couple of weeks & they are so accurate. They even have a calculator built in. From reading of people fitting them, it seems a few have had to fabricate there own brackets to get them right. I do not bother with the markings on the hand wheel at all. Good luck with the fitting.

Steve.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Posted by Steviegtr on 07/04/2020 00:17:19:

I used to ski at Windermere before it all got stopped.

Behind a steam launch I hope – must have had a pretty good superheater

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Hi Keith and welcome to the forum

H

[Gibbo568Participant @gibbo568]

Hi Keith,

I'm quite near to Vulcans Park.

I also have a Warco lathe, a GH1236. My dad, was a Machine Shop Foreman at Distington Engineering so I used to get loads of advice and tips.

[Curtis RutterParticipant @curtisrutter61973]

Hi all just moved to Workington Cumbria and after having to sell up shop due to divorce quite a few years back I’m now in a place to start rebuilding an albeit smaller workshop with aim of model engineering rather then building motorbikes

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Welcome aboard Sir You've come to the right place for questions = and many answers ! Noel.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Welcome!

The Forum will almost always have someone who can help ypu if youy have a problem.

It will be worth buying some books.

You will find a set of Zeus Charts invaluable, (I still use mine, bought in 1958! )

there are lots of books on lathes.

L H Sparey "The Amateur's lathe" was, for years, the "bible" It wa written when many model engineers ownws and use Myford ML7s, but the basic principles are the same for any lathe.

ian Bradley, "The Amateur's Workshop" deals with a workshop inbn general, but covers one or two points of setting up a lathe that Sparey does not.

It is important to that a lathe is correctly set up, especially without twist in the bed, if it is to work properly.

Other books to consider are

Stan Bray "Basic Lathework"

Harold Hall "Lathework"

Both are former Editors of Model Engineer''s Workshop, as are David Clarke, and Dave Fenner who have both written books about the mini lathe.

The current Editor, Neil Wyatt has written a book on lathework, based on his experience withe the Sieg SC4, (and the mini lathe..

You might find Tubal Cain's "Model Engineer's handbook" a useful reference book. (I do! )

But the basic principles are the same for nearly all machines; there will be detailed differences depending how the machine is configured.

FWIW become familiar with your lathe, how to grind tools and set them. Making simple tools help to gain experience and confidence, and provide tools that you can use for years afterwards.

My hobby horses are: Centre Height Gauge, Tap Wrenches, Die Holders (Especially the sliding Tailstock ones. )

When you acquires a 4 jaw independent chuck, you can make a spare centre, which will help centering work in it, by the Two Centres method, and a Mandrel Handle.

Eventually, you might make a Sliding Tailstock Tap Holder.

With a lathe, you have the means of making all sorts of things.

Enjoy!

Howard..

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

Welcome to the Cumbrian members I'm also in Cumbria in Harrington but having to wind down my Model Engineering due to eyesight problems.

Enjoy the hobby.

Michael

 

Edited By MichaelR on 07/10/2022 15:30:57

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Welcome to the forum

H

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