Advice on metal lathe

   / Advice on metal lathe
  • Thread Starter
#11  
The mini lathes are easily accurate to .001". There many machinists who use them, including myself. Go to this website for a detailed description of the Seig mini lathe. It is the same one sold by Grizzly, Harbor Freight and other suppliers.

mini-lathe Features

I made these two engines with one. One is steam powered the other is internal combustion.

DSC05576.jpg

Troutsqueezer, I am assuming that the first image is the internal combustion engine. That looks like a glow plug, or whatever they call it, from an RC engine, I am curious what is the action that causes ignition? Is it a spark or more like a diesel ignition with compression and heat? I bought a little RC airplane engine and saw that same sort of plug, but since that is all I have, it is not very obvious how that igniter actually works, I didn't want to buy an entire plane just to reverse engineer it to understand it.
 
   / Advice on metal lathe #12  
I bought a bunch of machinery at the vo-tech auctions in local towns. Every year schools auction equipment that they are replacing or don't use. I bought a Bridgepot mill, a delta lathe and a harig grinder for 100 bucks each. Equipment was in good shape and a great price.
 
   / Advice on metal lathe #13  
I bought a bunch of machinery at the vo-tech auctions in local towns. Every year schools auction equipment that they are replacing or don't use. I bought a Bridgepot mill, a delta lathe and a harig grinder for 100 bucks each. Equipment was in good shape and a great price.

I bought my tape mill and a heavy duty grinder/buffer from the community college when they up-graded... just happened to be at the right place at the right time...
 
   / Advice on metal lathe #14  
Most of the Lathes I see are found on Craigslist... I think you are eliminating 90% of the market... also, Ebay has some, although, not to practical unless the item is located where you are.

I agree 100%

b2910: Why are you gun shy of CL? It's just tlike the newspaper classified's of day's gone by. No bidding and you see it in person before you pay.
 
   / Advice on metal lathe #15  
I have a paperback titled How to Run a Lathe, published by the South Bend company, I think in in the 40's. It's a great first read on the subject and covers all the basic knowledge to get you started. I got my copy during freshman year in one of the Industrial Design shop classes at the University of Bridgeport. You can get a copy for $7.95 from Linsay, along with some other titiles:

Lindsay: Great Lathe Books
 
   / Advice on metal lathe #16  
Troutsqueezer, I am assuming that the first image is the internal combustion engine. That looks like a glow plug, or whatever they call it, from an RC engine, I am curious what is the action that causes ignition? Is it a spark or more like a diesel ignition with compression and heat? I bought a little RC airplane engine and saw that same sort of plug, but since that is all I have, it is not very obvious how that igniter actually works, I didn't want to buy an entire plane just to reverse engineer it to understand it.

I haven't finished the internal combustion engine yet (first pic). You can see there is no carburetor nor ignition system installed. This is a hit and miss engine, firing every 6 cycles or so, hence the massive flywheels.

This uses a real spark plug, a pretty small one, and will run on gasoline. The ignition circuitry consists of a Hall Effect transisitor assembly mounted on the crankshaft. That will connect to a pcb (coil circuitry) and was purchased here: S/S Machine & Engineering, LLC

Glow plugs work on an entirely different principle, perhaps you already know. With those, the heat from the combustion/pressure in the cylinder keeps the end of the glow plug hot and ignites the fuel. To get the glow plug hot when starting the engine takes a temporary battery connection.
 
   / Advice on metal lathe
  • Thread Starter
#17  
I agree 100%

b2910: Why are you gun shy of CL? It's just tlike the newspaper classified's of day's gone by. No bidding and you see it in person before you pay.

I don't want to buy a full size lathe, and I don't think a used benchtop/hobby lathe is a smart move, could easily be a waste of money and even if it worked well it might still seem inaccurate due to lack of my skills and I would continue to question the wear on a used lathe as a result.

I haven't finished the internal combustion engine yet (first pic). You can see there is no carburetor nor ignition system installed. This is a hit and miss engine, firing every 6 cycles or so, hence the massive flywheels.

This uses a real spark plug, a pretty small one, and will run on gasoline. The ignition circuitry consists of a Hall Effect transisitor assembly mounted on the crankshaft. That will connect to a pcb (coil circuitry) and was purchased here: S/S Machine & Engineering, LLC

Glow plugs work on an entirely different principle, perhaps you already know. With those, the heat from the combustion/pressure in the cylinder keeps the end of the glow plug hot and ignites the fuel. To get the glow plug hot when starting the engine takes a temporary battery connection.

I didn't know how the glow plug works for small RC motors, but that tidbit is very helpful for my situation. Thanks for the link, that should help with my overall project plans.

I am now leaning towards the HF 8x14 lathe, I think that is the right number, not too expensive. The Sherline lathe looks like it was made for cutting plastic not metal, very unimpressive looking to me. Thanks to all for your advice.
 
   / Advice on metal lathe #18  
I've got a bench top lathe, a Myford ML-7 I think it is. Problem is I learned on larger engine lathes and get frustrated by the power, size and hole through the headstock on the Myford. Someday I'll get something a bit bigger to tackle my farm sized projects.
 
   / Advice on metal lathe #19  
If you go the HF route get the 9x20. A bit more in price but well worth it.
 
   / Advice on metal lathe #20  
I have found some good deals on a government auction website, Government Surplus Auctions - GovDeals.com, there is a lot of equipment that is sold from schools and tech schools. Have seen some LeBlond and Bridgeport machines sell for very good prices.
 

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