Share Quick-change Tools On Two Logan Lathes? Plus Tooling Recommendations

[intjonmiller]

My brother has both of my father's old lathes in his garage. It's a shame because he doesn't seem to be inclined to use them, but then I don't have room for either. I'm trying to get them tooled out for use (as I'm free to use them any time), but I need help making a couple selections.

Both have lantern-style tool holders, so those are all I've ever used. I hate them. I want to get QCTPs for both. But the question is, can I use the same size for both? One is a 10" model 850, the other a 12" model 2525V.

The writeups I see say that the AXA size covers a range including both. But is that advisable? Since the BXA would fit the 12", would I be better off there? I imagine the thicker tool holders will experience less chatter, all else being equal. But is it enough to matter? Obviously there is a real benefit to being able to use the same tools on either machine.

Also I need a starter set of tooling. I expect to be cutting a lot of aluminum (I melt my own aluminum for practice stock), a fair amount of mild steel, and occasionally some stainless or tool steel for small rods, pins, etc. I am going to be placing an order with Shars this weekend for some other things (vise for the grinder, better indicator holder, and more), so that would be the ideal place for me to shop. My dad still has a couple boxes of different sizes of parting tools (industrial surplus of some sort) that I should be able to use, so turning, facing, and boring tools appropriate for my tasks are needed. I've only had maybe 10 hours on the lathe so far, so let's just pretend I don't know anything, so please spell it out for me. Thanks!

 

[intjonmiller]

Oh, also both have 4-jaw chucks. I don't recall the size at the moment. I may consider getting a 3-jaw or larger 4-jaw at some point. How do I figure out which of the thousands of possible chuck configurations I would need?

Really kicking myself for not taking shop in high school. I did Novell-certified networking stuff instead. Dumb move.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

yes you can use the AXA for both the 10 and 12" lathes
the BXA is nice but i think it may be a bit too much excess for your lathes.
I personally have clone AXA's on 2 of my lathes 9" and 12" swings respectively.
i don't have any rigidity issues.
some lathes are more prone to chatter than others.
if chatter is a constant problem, lighter cuts or a change of speed can sometimes remedy those issues.
a properly adjusted machine will also have less chatter as well, conversely a worn machine may produce more chatter when all other things are equal.

in regards to you chuck question,
it will come down to the type of work you will be doing most.
an independent 4 jaw chuck will need to have the work centered every use, a 3 jaw scroll chuck will center the work itself
for me, i use a 3 jaw chuck 70% of the time, 4 jaw chuck 20%, 5c Collets 10%, between centers on occasion

if you are grabbing odd shaped materials or performing precision feats, a 4 jaw is the way to go- the 4 jaw can grab just about any shape with some forethought.
if you are grabbing round stock and don't necessarily need gnats nuts precision, i'd suggest a 3 jaw- for simplicity.

the choice is yours, some people never use a 3 jaw at all.

 

[intjonmiller]

Thanks for the feedback! To clarify my chuck question (sorry I didn't word it better) how do I determine what size/mounting configuration I need? There are pages of fine print chuck listings in the catalogs I have. It's overwhelming.

I subscribe to the philosophy that if you can only afford one chuck, make it a 4-jaw. But even with my little experience I can see how it would be nice to have a 3-jaw, even for just quickly facing one side before flipping it around to do further operations (or cleaning up a face after parting). So I'm thinking about having one set up with each (4-jaw on the 2525v, which actually has the leadscrew and gears installed). I would like to find something used if I can, but that's even harder to figure out what will work as I don't have experience and the lathe is not where I live so it's difficult to just reference off of it.

Thanks again!

 

[eeler1]

Each chuck has a spindle-specific backplate, your 10" has a 1&1/2"-8 spindle,so any chuck would have to have that backplate otherwise you wouldn't be able to mount it to the spindle. Don't know what the spindle is on the 12", some were 2&1/2"-8, and I believe others were L00. Go to Logan actuators website and you can look up your serial # and model # to see what yours is.

Myself, I'd just use the 4-jaw chucks for now and put my money into a phase II or similar tool post and holders.

Oh, and we need pics, or your whole story never happened.

 

[intjonmiller]

Fair enough. But that will have to wait until I get down there again. Without tooling in hand it's hard to justify the half hour each direction. (My brother is a big shot now and works and travels a ton, so visiting him isn't usually a viable excuse.)

 

[P T Schram]

I OTOH would say three-jaw would be the only one I'd want if I could only have one. The vast majority of what I do has been done with a three-jaw and I have only used the fours once or twice in 30 years.

Collets OTOH, I use frequently.

The AXA will eb fine.

Chatter has more IMO to do with rigidity of the machine and its mountings than the tool post as the tool post isn't going anywhere but the rest of the machine will hit harmonics of its resonant frequency and will chatter like one of my cats when there's a squirrel in the yard.

Heavy machines tend to chatter less for many reasons but if you have chatter, first, sharpen the tool, adjust its relationship to the workpiece, tighten gibs and lower feed rate.

 

[Ben Nevis]

The AXA will do fine on both lathes. I assume there is a difference in distance from the spindle center to the top of the compound on both lathes. If so, make a spacer equal to the difference to put under the tool post when using the 12" lathe, and you will be able to switch from one lathe to the other without having to readjust the tool height.

 

[wa5cab]

It depends a bit on how tall the top of the 12" compound slide is as that varies a bit from one brand to another. But in general, there seem to be two groups of people who bought BXA holders for their 12" machine - those who say they wish they had bought an AXA, and those who wish it but don't say it.

Making a spacer block for the 12", as mentioned above, sounds like an excellent idea to me. Definitely less expensive than buying two complete sets of holders. One tip - you almost can't have too many 101 and/or 102 holders. I currently have 11, one of which I have not yet needed to use..

 

[intjonmiller]

I finally got a chance to go visit the lathes yesterday while picking up some other tools. Here's the 12":




This one was given to my oldest brother. He has a single phase motor for it, but I've encouraged him to get a 3-phase and a VFD. He has plenty of 240v power in his garage. And I was wrong, this has a 6" 3-jaw chuck. I was going by (apparently poor) memory when I said I might need a 3-jaw. This needs a 4-jaw.