My new LMS 7500 has arrived!

[ChazzC]

Interesting. The fella at Eccentric Engineering (is it Greg?) recommended, because I have a mini lathe with an OXO size QCTP, that I buy the left hand holder and use it in the other position in the QCTP. I did so and I've not really got on with it.

In fact I was about to offer it tonight to anyone who wants to pay the postage.

I also have a left hand one (bought the set, and since I also got a Flexi-Chuck the LH one was almost free when you factor in shipping from OZ) so I could turn up to a right shoulder, but haven't had the need yet. I did a quick check and it looks like you can gain ~ 1/2" more on turning an OD on my 7x16 over the RH one mounted conventionally, and you should gain even more.

I did this with a LH 80° DPMT insert holder when machining the back plate for a 5" 3-Jaw , but hadn't thought of doing this with the Diamond holder, thanks!

 

[tmenyc]

Please don't think I'm criticizing, just trying to be helpful. Have fun and keep us updated as you get used to you new machine (and when you get your mill

Of.course not, you've been really supportive! At this point, I need to see how much of the.noise goes away from break-in, from using softer stuff. Plastic gears for the basic set may be in the near future.
Thanks!

 

[Manual Mac]

Hey, I’ll gladly pay the postage, ship it to me!
I was gonna suggest trying an AXA tool holder as your new machine seems to be in the middle of OXA & AXA territory.
But looking at it mounted on the compound it looks about right.
Instead of a flat washer I see you have a bearing mounted instead under the nut on your OXA toolholder.
How do you like it?

 

[tmenyc]

Mac, so far, I like it a lot; it's more rigid than I thought it would be.
Tim

 

[ChazzC]

Instead of a flat washer I see you have a bearing mounted instead under the nut on your OXA toolholder.
How do you like it?

Mac, so far, I like it a lot; it's more rigid than I thought it would be.
Tim

I've had one in place for about six months:

I like it, but I need to face a little off the bottom of the chromed locking handle to re-clock the handle position as it just clears a tool holder in the back position.

 

[tmenyc]

Post III -- Next Runs

Accuracy
I'm getting the hang of not having feed setting separated from spindle speed. I just chucked in a scrap of .750 delrin and cut 2" down to .600, then landing exactly on .600, in several steps using my VNMP (which I like a lot with softer stuff), progressively increasing DOC and spindle speed. Then, at .600 I turned DOC .050 exactly and it landed on .4995, measured in three places across the 1.75" cut length, which is admittedly not all that long. It did have a dead center in place. No complaint there! Now I'm really looking forward to using the collet chuck and then the faceplate/dogs asap!
It cut cold roll really well; and drilled it. I haven't done any boring yet, will soon.

Noise
There is still a bit of roughness noise that I don't hear in the gears even with the gear cover open; I think it's coming from the 3J chuck, which I really have to take apart and clean out. With my shoulder still on the mend, I'm not yet manipulating any focused weight >5lb on that side, but recovery is proceeding quickly so maybe in a couple of weeks I'll take that chuck off and disassemble it; install the collet chuck for awhile. The noise has definitely lessened with some break-in, and after I greased and oiled. (Hmm...my very capable daughter and son-in-law will be here Thanksgiving afternoon...maybe I'll get one of them to swap chucks for me...)

Tailstock
I guess I've got to say that the tailstock is a little disappointing. It does align well, of course, but when the lever is loose the tailstock seems to autonomously rock off the ways. It does align with the headset quite easily and stay there when the lever is fixed in place. So, I'll have to get my muscle memory to register always having the TS lever tightened except when actually moving the TS.

Thanks for reading!
Tim

 

[ChazzC]

Post III -- Next Runs

Accuracy
I'm getting the hang of not having feed setting separated from spindle speed. I just chucked in a scrap of .750 delrin and cut 2" down to .600, then landing exactly on .600, in several steps using my VNMP (which I like a lot with softer stuff), progressively increasing DOC and spindle speed. Then, at .600 I turned DOC .050 exactly and it landed on .4995, measured in three places across the 1.75" cut length, which is admittedly not all that long. It did have a dead center in place. No complaint there! Now I'm really looking forward to using the collet chuck and then the faceplate/dogs asap!
It cut cold roll really well; and drilled it. I haven't done any boring yet, will soon.

Try searching for “balanced lathe cuts:” this is a technique where you reduce the depth of cut the closer you get to your goal without trying to cut a couple of thousands on the last cut which may not give you the finish you want.

Noise
There is still a bit of roughness noise that I don't hear in the gears even with the gear cover open; I think it's coming from the 3J chuck, which I really have to take apart and clean out. With my shoulder still on the mend, I'm not yet manipulating any focused weight >5lb on that side, but recovery is proceeding quickly so maybe in a couple of weeks I'll take that chuck off and disassemble it; install the collet chuck for awhile. The noise has definitely lessened with some break-in, and after I greased and oiled. (Hmm...my very capable daughter and son-in-law will be here Thanksgiving afternoon...maybe I'll get one of them to swap chucks for me...)

I can understand the operation of the 3-jaw being a little crunchy, but that shouldn’t result in rotational noise during turning - something else is going on. While LMS doesn’t have as good a warranty as PM, they do have good customer support, so try giving them a call.

Tailstock
I guess I've got to say that the tailstock is a little disappointing. It does align well, of course, but when the lever is loose the tailstock seems to autonomously rock off the ways. It does align with the headset quite easily and stay there when the lever is fixed in place. So, I'll have to get my muscle memory to register always having the TS lever tightened except when actually moving the TS.

I have the same “issue” with my 7x16 MicroMark: if the TS isn’t locked and I move it, it lifts up - it just doesn’t have a lot of mass; you’ll get used to it.


LMS will be at Cabin Fever in January - maybe a trip South is in order?

Cabin Fever Expo | Cabinfeverexpo

www.cabinfeverexpo.com

 

[tmenyc]

Chazz, thanks, as always! Yes, I know about balanced cuts...just wanted to see what would happen. I'll be more methodical from now on. Interesting thought about the noise; I will reach out. Re the TX, yes, I had read that about these machines, but still wasn't quite expecting the reality when I should have been. Muscle memory is a good thing. Yesterday I was still reaching up high and left for the Logan's drum switch...
Tim