Tool list for a beginner

[coolgoose]

Thank You Tin, zeeprogrammer, JackG for clearing my doubts.

Tin: As you mentioned I will go and check out Grizzly Industrial showroom in Bellingham. I can save money on shipping and use that for buying tools.

Thank You rleete for your concern. “Look at it from the point of someone who is fascinated by the mechanical stuff he sees on the web, but has no idea where to start and how deep he can get into it.” This exactly applies to me. Well now I am not worried since I found this forum and all you guys are here to advice me :bow:

Thanks a lot everyone for your time and advice!
Sri.

 

[coolgoose]

Guys!

I finally got a 7X14 lathe from ebay. I made a good offer and the vendor accepted it

http://cgi.ebay.com/500W-Precision-...806?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33621f26c6

 

[1hand]

Congrats on the purchase!

Matt

 

[kcmillin]

Thats Great!

That is the machine I started out on. (And Still Have) More options than the big ones. The variable speed is priceless.

Kel

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Step 1 complete...now onto the next of the endless steps. ;D
Nah...that's probably the hardest part. Congratulations!

 

[Troutsqueezer]

Now Google "mini lathe" and look into the few simple mods this lathe will benefit from. That'll get you off to a great start.

 

[coolgoose]

Thanks guys!

zeeprogrammer: Getting the lathe was really the hardest part for me.. I am looking forward for the delivery of the lathe.

Troutsqueezer: I have started to researching on mods for mini lathe. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[rleete]

www.mini-lathe.com has a whole bunch of links. You could read for days.

 

[steamer]

I would also invest in tools for your brain. Southbends "How to run a lathe" comes to mind...and you don't need to own a SB to use the book.

Here's an opportunity to use your "investment" to make some tools you would otherwise have to buy. I believe SB had a book with shop projects in it...I believe I have it somewhere...so I know it's out there.

Best of all, you'll have pride everytime you use the tool, and you will have gained valuable skill and experience in the process.

Dave

 

[zeeprogrammer]

I highly recommend making the mod of setting a piece of plastic against the gears of the apron. You'll have to remove the carriage.
Otherwise swarf gets in there and you'll find moving the carriage becomes more difficult.
I'm at work and about to go into a meeting...if I remember when I get home I'll try to find a link.
You should be able to find it if you search the 'mini-lathe.com' site.

 

[Tin Falcon]

CG congratulations on the lathe
if you have not already done so download the army Machine tool manual and the Navy repairman manual. Links to both here
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=9413.0
as far as mod I agree with Z put a skirt on the saddle gears. IMHO a saddle lock and a cam type lock for the tail stock. I have only done the gear skirt but I have a south bend that gets most of the use . but the mini still gets used.

The project book Dave speaks of is Machine Shop Projects South Bend Lathe works available form http://www.lindsaybks.com/bks4/sblpro/index.html it is only $12


I recently Purchased and reviewed This book http://www.amazon.com/Machining-Projects-Textbook-David-Averyt/dp/1590707796 it is three times the money but almost as good as the SB book the SB book is more bang for the buck, as far as usable tooling . The Avert book does have a nice plan set for a steam engine in it and a plan for a deburring tool and a model cannon all in all nice projects and a nice book . But if had to choose between the two I would go for the SB Project book.

And you can get some older versions of HTRL and other South Bend pubs here free download.
http://www.wewilliams.net/SBLibrary.htm
Tin

 

[coolgoose]

Thank You Tin for suggesting those books! I have downloaded army Machine tool manual and the Navy repairman manual from the link you gave me

Now that I ordered a lathe, Where can I get some cutting tools and metal stock? Also, for a beginner like me what stock metal is good to start?

 

[Blogwitch]

CG,

Before going any further, find out what makes your lathe tick, and spend maybe a few hours adjusting it correctly.

These lathes come basically as a kit of assembled parts, and are not ready to go.

Have a look about on all the reference sources you have been directed to, especially ones dedicated to the mini lathe, and find out how to set up things like the gib strips and other little tweaky bits, it will make everything much easier for you in the long run.

Then go out and start to buy all your basic tool requirements.

Don't forget, the first major tool that is required with any machine, is the correct lubrication. A small bottle of slideway oil and general purpose lube (not WD40 or 3 in 1) will stop your machine from wearing away too quickly, and will last for ages for a small investment of a few bucks.


Bogs

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Here's a link to the thread...near the bottom of this page is a picture of the swarf I talked about.
If you go to page 6 of the thread, you'll see the plastic I put on.

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=5992.15

I just took my lathe apart a few weeks ago to clean and adjust it. Not a speck of swarf in the gears.

And what Bogs said...play with it a while, tweak it, learn about it, before you try using it. Well worth the time.

 

[Tin Falcon]

Now that I ordered a lathe, Where can I get some cutting tools and metal stock? Also, for a beginner like me what stock metal is good to start?

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM

6061 aluminum is the most common , 7075 is marine grade harder but machines nice as does jig plate
12L14 steel is the easiest to machine but do not try to weld it.
Drill rod great for shop made reamers, punches etc heat treatable also good for shafts on engines
360 brass is beautiful stuff to work with but the price has gotten a bit high in the last few years.
Tin

 

[rleete]

Stick with aluminum or brass at first.

As to tools, check out http://littlemachineshop.com/default.php

 

[Omnimill]

Congratulations on the lathe purchase! One really useful thing to make on it is one of these:

It's used for making tool height setting quick and easy.

Vic.

 

[coolgoose]

Thank you Bogs for the advice. I am going through http://www.mini-lathe.com for information on assembling, cleaning and lubrication


Thank You zeeprogrammer for the link to the post. I will definitely get the mod you suggested done on my lathe


Thanks Tin & rleete for your suggestions on the stock metal


Vic: Can you please explain in detail what is the thing you showed me in the picture? Sorry I am noob and requires lot of explanation.

 

[Omnimill]

Have a look here:

http://start-model-engineering.co.uk/begin-with-bogs/top-tips-from-bogs-setting-cutter-height/

The "post" in my picture is just a simple jig that is made to the exact centre height of my lathe. When setting a new tool I simply ensure the tip is pressed tight to the underside of the overhang on the jig.

If I get a minute I'll take a better picture.

Vic.

 

[coolgoose]

Thank You Vic for the link. I am going through it