Introduction and lathe question.

[Boomer2230]

3 & 4 jaw universal chucks are the same to me. I prefer using a 4 jaw independent.

 

[srcarr52]

I mostly use carbide insert tooling with 32.50 or 32.51 CCGT inserts. They are a positive rake which leaves a great finish on aluminum but strong enough to rip through the worst plating and take pretty heavy cuts on steel.

I use a Shars 5/8" tool holder kit for most work, the right/left, size 32.5, shape C (80° rombic) external facing tool holders do the most work.

For cutting squish bands in larger cylinders I have a 3/4" solid carbide Kennametal boring bar, which also uses the 32.5 C carbide inserts. The extra rigidity helps rip through stubborn overplating and will leave a better finish. You can usually find used boring bars like that on eBay for $80-100 and they are well worth the money.

 

[Stump Shot]

A lot of people dislike shars... kinda like name brand saws vs China saws. Lol
With that said, shars has some nice items for the money spent, .

At the time(when I got started) I had to borrow a lathe to get going, it would not have made a lot of sense to invest big $$$ into it. I've since purchased that same lathe and I've got used to the easy setup and how well it works for me. So I don't feel/see the need to upgrade now.

 

[Rich Fife]

At the time(when I got started) I had to borrow a lathe to get going, it would not have made a lot of sense to invest big $$$ into it. I've since purchased that same lathe and I've got used to the easy setup and how well it works for me. So I don't feel/see the need to upgrade now.

Exactly... I base most of my purchases on the cost vs functionality factor... if i made more $ and I was well off financially... i'd probably have the best of the best... buuuuut, im not.... ahahaha

 

[Rich Fife]

You can usually find used boring bars like that on eBay for $80-100

Yessir, I'm always purchasing turning tools and boring bars from ebay. I have mostly Valenite boring bars... small to large both LH and RH.

 

[Al Smith]

I've got two lathes ,a 20" by 48" Boyes and Emmes that came over on the Mayflower and a Monarch 10" EE 12.5 by 20 .The Monarch needs a new controller which I have but haven't found the time to change it .That one you could make parts for the space shuttle ,very accurate .My advice would be either a South Bend or an Atlas 9 or 10" .Preferably a quick change machine although you could get by with a gear change machine which is what I learned on .Takes about a 5 gallon bucket full of gears .
If you find one and it is 3 phase power a rotary convertor is real easy to make .It's not rocket science just a three phase motor and a couple of capacitors .