First Turning, Clausing 6316 Lathe

Joe Pitz

Joe Pitz

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Hello All, Just got my collets from LMS, just had to try the new lathe out.
I stuck the level on the lathe and it is close, but I have to spend some time doing a more complete leveling.

I was able to take a fairly smooth face off cut, I am using 3/8" indexable carbide tooling.

But when I placed the RH turning tool in and tried to take a few turing cuts, the outcome was not so pretty.

I am turning about 900 RPM, I tried manual feeding and very slow machine feeding cuts were still about the same.

I am attempting to turn .750 aluminum. I had the stock out of the collet just over 1", which is, ok by the rule of thumb of 1.5 tines the diameter.

Here is a pic of the surface of the stock, cutting left lots of ridges, I was taking no more than .010" of a cut.

Any feedback would be welcome.

IMAG0383.jpg
 
The first thing I would double check it the center height of the tool. Face off the end, and make sure there is no little pip left. Then take the RH tool and line it up on Center.

Another thing to check would be to make sure the gibs on the cross slide are tight.

If those check out, you might try a slightly deeper cut. Carbide tools actually work best with about 15-20 thou depth of cut.
 
I adjusted the gibs last night, I will check the center height and try a deeper cut.

Joe
 
Not sure if it's just a bit of crud or something but if you zoom in real close it looks like the cutting corner of your insert has a crack in it. (There's also one corner chipped ff, but that's not the one I'm looking at.) that never helps matters.

-frank
 
Thanks Frank, I had just rotated the insert, but I will check it again, yes the one to the left is cracked.

I guess I have to learn how the grind HSS tool steel, Looks like I will be watching some tubalcain videos.

Thanks

Joe
 
Joe Pitz said:
Hello All, Just got my collets from LMS, just had to try the new lathe out.
I stuck the level on the lathe and it is close, but I have to spend some time doing a more complete leveling.

I was able to take a fairly smooth face off cut, I am using 3/8" indexable carbide tooling.

But when I placed the RH turning tool in and tried to take a few turing cuts, the outcome was not so pretty.

I am turning about 900 RPM, I tried manual feeding and very slow machine feeding cuts were still about the same.

I am attempting to turn .750 aluminum. I had the stock out of the collet just over 1", which is, ok by the rule of thumb of 1.5 tines the diameter.

Here is a pic of the surface of the stock, cutting left lots of ridges, I was taking no more than .010" of a cut.

Any feedback would be welcome.

View attachment 106579
Click to expand...
Other than the centerline being off your tooling may need a bit of rounding over.I use HSS on every metal, never used carbide tooling myself. I understand that carbide tooling requires a faster speed.Look carefully at your insert,the corners should be rounded over about 1/32" ,if not round them over with a diamond hone.Place a 6" rule against the round in the chuck and run the cutter up to it.The rule will be plumb when the centerline is correct.If the top of the rule lays away from you the tool post is too high.If the top of the rule lies toward you the toolpost is low.
When you get the toolpost height correct, maybe a new insert or HSS tooling if you have it. The finish should be very good.Remember a sharp point on the insert will absolutely give you a lousy finish.Like I mentioned above radius the corner 1/32".Some aluminum is gummy and will not provide a great finish,but not like your pics show. 6061 aluminum is what most guys use at home.
mike
 
coolidge, interesting shaped insert, what tool holder do these work with, What supplier do you use?
Thanks

Joe
 
Thanks kwoodhands and JimDawson, I will try your recommendations.

Joe
 
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