Workshop Lathe

ticker_tape said:
Anybody on here have one and do hobby metal turning? Looking to get one.
Click to expand...

I would love a lathe.....there is something satisfying about going into a shed with a large lump of wood or metal and coming out several hours later with a much smaller lump of wood or metal and a big smile!
 
Jonny2773 said:
I would love a lathe.....there is something satisfying about going into a shed with a large lump of wood or metal and coming out several hours later with a much smaller lump of wood or metal and a big smile!
Click to expand...
I usually going in the shed and make man glitter when the students have given me a hard time at work. I just take out a big bowl or roughing gouge and knock hell out of the wood. :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
ticker_tape said:
Anybody on here have one and do hobby metal turning? Looking to get one.
Click to expand...

We've got a few in our workshop. We're actually selling an old Colchester one (older than me), but it's quite a big one, the bed is about 3m long I think. We used it for steel pipes and other gear and it can do about 400mm diameter, it 's pretty hefty.

Each one we have has paid for itself probably 20 times over, fantastic bits of kit.
 
Driving a 5" gauge loco is good fun, it got me into driving 4' 8 1/2" steam locos which is serious fun, getting paid to do it was the icing on the cake.
 
Thanks lads, much appreciated. I normally do motor bike repair, on one at the moment. Woulddn mind leaning more lathe stuff ....Nitro engines.
 
Always wanted one, as I had an engineering background. Thinking about the use it was going to get, the outlay for a decent lathe with all the tooling your going to need and materials. I decided to get mates to turn the few bits I needed. I was taught to use one at school and as part of my training at work ( craft skills appreciation). Found machine shops fascinating places and had many parts made for maintenance service parts.
A word of caution, they are dangerous machines and be absolutely sure you know what you doing, and never ever leave the chuck key in whilst setting up.
Enjoy your hobby, plenty of good lathes about.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
I have a wood lathe and love it. I would imagine using a metal lathe is very similar.

I've just been in the shed and knocked up a fruit bowl I had an order for.

The Proxxon lathes are supposed to be good. I've added a link to Axminster Tools - they are a bit pricey but usually supply good gear.

https://www.axminstertools.com/machinery/lathes/engineering-lathes
Click to expand...
Could I pick your brain on setting one up. My 92 year old neighbour has been teaching my wife for the past 2 months and kindly gave her a wood turning lathe. We have set up a workshop with power but are struggling to work out how to set the the lathe up correctly. ( doesn’t help my neighbour is unable to get into my garden because of his age and I fractured my hip 2 weeks whilst cycling.)
 
Last edited:
Lightweight said:
Could I pick your brain on setting one up. My 92 year old neighbour has been teaching my wife for the passed 2 months and kindly gave her a wood turning lathe. We have set up a workshop with power but are struggling to work out how to set the the lathe up correctly. ( doesn’t help my neighbour is unable to get into my garden because of his age and I fractured my hip 2 weeks whilst cycling.
Click to expand...
Not a problem at all.

1. What type of lathe is it?

2. What type of turning are you going to start with?

3. What tools do you have?

Post some pictures of your set up.

I would normally suggest you join a club, but that is out of the question. Watch woodturning videos on youtube, you will learn a lot
 
Than
Norman_Conquest said:
Not a problem at all.

1. What type of lathe is it?

2. What type of turning are you going to start with?

3. What tools do you have?

Post some pictures of your set up.

I would normally suggest you join a club, but that is out of the question. Watch woodturning videos on youtube, you will learn a lot
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. I am home alone and not allowed outside unsupervised with fractured hip but will get my wife to get the details and post them later.
 
Lightweight said:
Than

Thanks for this. I am home alone and not allowed outside unsupervised with fractured hip but will get my wife to get the details and post them later.
Click to expand...
OK, no problem.

Watch a guy called Carl Jacobson. He makes some great pieces but also some rubbish. He tends to talk you through it - also Rob Humphrey (similar).

Mike Waldt talks you through basic turning and the tools he uses. He's also recorded a beginners guide that I have linked below (14 videos). It is some time since I watched this but it did help.

One thing I would suggest is that you wear some type of dust mask whilst turning and all the usual PPE. You can have allergic reactions to wood - I always get a stye on my eye when using Yew.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top