P M Research Lathe

[Jack]

I have been taking things easy lately, but I have started another project a week or so ago. Although it is not an engine or motor, been there done that... it could be used to make a small engine, when I finish building it.

It is a "Doll House Scale" Lathe from a casting kit offered by P.M. Research, Inc.

http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/home.php?cat=6

So far the casings are very nice to work with. Everything is going smoothly, I'll keep my fingers crossed and if I hold my tongue just right I should be able to finish machining the castings next week. Then its on to the little round parts.

Thanks for Looking

Jack

 

[Deanofid]

I hope you'll put up plenty of pics of your progress, Jack. Looks like a nice kit!

Dean

 

[Twmaster]

Some part of me has lusted after this kit and the shaper. Please do post pics of your project as you go through it.

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Looks like fun. Yes...plenty of pics please.
Hard for me to tell size...keep something in for scale too.

 

[bearcar1]

Like full bag of M & M's Z' Rof} Rof} Rof}


BC1
Jim

 

[Jack]

I forgot to show just how massive this piece of "Old American Iron" is. This kit is actually made in America and is of excellent quality. Sorry... being diabetic I don't have any candy in the house. So from now on I will try to put money in the photos. The length of the bed is 6 inches for those of you that use that other funny measuring system it is just a little over five inches and a little under seven inches. :big:

the original, Jack

 

[tmuir]

I love all of those 'tools' PM research sells and they are on my 'one day' list.
Look forward to seeing your results.

 

[PaulG]

Hi Jack,

I am working on a PMR engine kit, many of my castings were under finished size as cast. I only had one Aluminum part, also under size. How do your parts compare? Nice start, looks like a lot of fun.

Paul

 

[Jack]

So far the castings have been excellent, just enough material to wind up with a finished part, No there isn't an extra 1/8" but enough that I can bring the part in "On Size and On Budget". Castings can sometimes be a little difficult to hold while doing the milling or turning operation but if I think about it long enough I can usually figure it out. Remember this type of work is 95% mental and 20% cutting. But thats the fun part, anybody can just go and buy a model but what fun is that!!!
I ordered the 5/40 left hand tap and die for the tail stock and cross feed screws today, should be here in a few days and then I can make more parts.

Jack

 

[vascon2196]

Looks like a lot of fun...good luck and post plenty-o-pics!

 

[PaulG]

If I may ask, where did you find a Left 5-40.

paul

 

[Twmaster]

Heh. I was afraid to ask Paul. The other thing I'm afraid to ask is the price...

 

[gbritnell]

It looks like you're off to a good start. As with mine there wasn't alot of extra machining stock on the castings but they cleaned up ok.
gbritnell

 

[mklotz]

Left-hand 5-40 tap for $2.39

http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/product_id/25240

 

[vlmarshall]

I've wanted to build one of these for a long time... maybe I will one day. ;D Great work, thanks for sharing your progress.

 

[ksouers]

Jack,

Nice little kit. It'll be interesting to see this come together.
Also good to see you getting back in the game, been a long time.

 

[vascon2196]

Left-hand 5-40 tap for $2.39

http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/product_id/25240

I love tools...

 

[Jack]

This is a photo of the pulley casting, before and after, Plus a photo of the shaft collars, in case you can't quite see the size, they are 5/16" dia. with a 1/8" dia. inside bore with a 1-72 taped holed for a set screw, yes, they are made out of crs drill rod. This model Lathe I believe has a total of 76 0r 77 parts, it should keep me busy for a while.

Don't for get if you get the 5-40 Left Hand Tap you will also need a 5-40 Left Hand Die to make the threads for the threaded rod to screw into. I found them both at:

http://www.victornet.com/subdepartments/Left-Hand-Taps-Inch-Sizes/1300.html

http://www.victornet.com/subdepartments/Left-Hand-Dies/2580.html

Jack

 

[PaulG]

Hi Jack

Thanks for the T/D info. What is the belting material supplied? looking good ;D

Paul

 

[Jack]

Todays project included machining the bottom side of the ways so that the tail stock clamp can slide easily after I got the correct cutter it only took a few minutes. Then I wanted to bore the headstock and tailstock at the same time so a rather complicated set up was involved. After drilling the both of them I ran a .188 reamer down through the hole. I love it when things go according to the plan.

As far as belting is concerned, the kit didn't come with any, if and when I get ready to run this baby, I have a 1/12 scale 3 hp electric motor that operates on 9 volts dc that I plan on using.

Jack