Danuke
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- Joined
- Apr 20, 2012
- Messages
- 14
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I went to lathe school on the Groton Submarine Base, in 1971. At the school and on the boats that I rode we had South Bend lathes. We carried no Machinery Repairmen (MRs) who actually are lathe, milling machine etc operators on the boats (they were stationed at the bases or on Sub Tenders). We did have Machinist Mates (me) who are a whole different things, and some of us were sent to lathe school so that there was someone who could try to make emergency fixes. I did, however, get to use all sorts of lathes after I finished welding school and was sort of on hold while waiting for orders to my first sub. Actually, I think that the MRs there were pulling some strings to keep me there long after my classmates had left. The Chief said that I took to the lathes like a duck takes to water, and after they taught me to use the turret lathes, I did all the work while they played cards. No complaints from me
it was the best duty that I ever had ;^).
The last time that I touched this type of machinery was in 1975. However I did enjoy it, along with steam components read turbines and the support systems. There were reciprocating steam driven pumps on a Destroyer that I was on while waiting for my orders to Nuke School after I finished Machinist Mate School. I found lots of time to play with them.
So now I want to make the model engines from castings. The machined version of those kits are really expensive. I am guessing that some sort of mini-lathe is in my future, and that I will be getting help from the members.
~DN
The last time that I touched this type of machinery was in 1975. However I did enjoy it, along with steam components read turbines and the support systems. There were reciprocating steam driven pumps on a Destroyer that I was on while waiting for my orders to Nuke School after I finished Machinist Mate School. I found lots of time to play with them.
So now I want to make the model engines from castings. The machined version of those kits are really expensive. I am guessing that some sort of mini-lathe is in my future, and that I will be getting help from the members.
~DN
. As you begin to get your feet wet again (bad pun i know) you may want to tackle a bar stock type project first since they are more forgiving....if you mess something up you simply remake it...with castings you have to procure a new casting for whatever part it is. Feel free to ask anything you need here...you will find it a most helpful bunch. Most of all, just enjoy yourself, be safe, and have fun!!!
