Rebuilding a cheap lathe

[VicHobbyGuy]

One other thing you may, probably, already know is the general "No Gloves" rule*. Better cold or dirty hands than no hands.

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To learn what you need to know, I'd recommend binge watching the Blondihacks channel on YouTube.

Blondihacks wears thin nitrile or latex gloves, and argues that they aren't hazardous as they will tear before pulling your hand into the machine. I'm not sure about that - accidents happen very quickly. I've tried wearing gloves like those but I found that it made it difficult to use 'traditional' handwheels as the plastic doesn't slide on the wheel. So, like @SouthernChap I am still a ' bare hands only' guy. Safest and best. I sometimes use a barrier cream (Gloves in a bottle) to make cleanup easier.

 

[VicHobbyGuy]

Carbide needing higher speed and greater depth is common knowledge.

More common among people who have never used carbide inserts (especially sharp carbide - either honed or 'for aluminum' inserts) with a 7x lathe. Nowadays on my 7x14 I only use HSS for threading and cutoff tools.

 

[SouthernChap]

Blondihacks wears thin nitrile or latex gloves, and argues that they aren't hazardous as they will tear before pulling your hand into the machine. I'm not sure about that - accidents happen very quickly. I've tried wearing gloves like those but I found that it made it difficult to use 'traditional' handwheels as the plastic doesn't slide on the wheel. So, like @SouthernChap I am still a ' bare hands only' guy. Safest and best. I sometimes use a barrier cream (Gloves in a bottle) to make cleanup easier.

I don't think she does whilst machining, or not in any of her videos that I've watched recently at least. She does wear gloves whilst handling workshop chemicals like chemical blacking or acids though, which seems fair enough.

I've tried out a few snagging experiments with the nitrile medical exam gloves (not whilst wearing them of course!), which are generally only a few thou thick, and every time, the gloves tore before any appreciable pull was felt. I gave up wearing them because of my environmental concerns, not because of any genuine safety concerns.

I always use Rozalex DryGuard barrier cream; application is the first thing I do when coming into the shop. It makes getting your hands clean after a session much easier.

 

[dabear3428]

@Jake M

I am sorry, but I have to take issue with that blanket statement. I have, from day one, used carbide insert tooling with my 7x and continue to do so. I have turned mulitple different materials, all of it under 1000rpm (mainly 400 - 600rpm) and never had a problem with the inserts or the ability to turn anything, including 316 stainless. I also use cutting depths from a half thou' through to 118 thou', hand feeding the deeper cuts.

Sure, push people away from carbide if you have a valid reason like expense or that person is brand new to turning and would likely be frustrated if they kept breaking inserts whilst trying to turn something, but do not knock carbide on a machine that has been proven to handle it.

In fact, I would go so far as to caution anyone brand new to using a lathe to be aware that yes, carbide tooling has its place, but research and understand is required before buying into it. Learning basic turning with HSS tooling first is a good idea as is learning to grind and hone HSS tools.

Personally, I was taught the "Stone "n" Hone" method once I had learnt the basics of HSS tool grinding. Id-Est, grind the tool on a grinder stone, then hone (polish) it on an oil stone.

i find that carbide inserts work on my smaller lathe if you buy the Ground type (listed for aluminum) or if you hone a sharper cutting edge on them with a diamond hone.

I also enjoy brazed carbide if you learn to shape them and hone them to a sharp cutting edge, out of the box they are weak sauce, but with the same amount of work you put into HSS they work well (more brittle for sure but on harder materials they have an advantage).

as to the original topic, clean,repair,make,clean,repair,improve, and make some more parts, anything that you learn to make with the small lathe you will be able to make even better with a larger, more rigid, more powerful lathe.

in the end it is your skill not the lathe that makes the difference, and the small lathe will point out any imperfections in your skill where a larger more rigid lathe with more power may cover up some bad habits.

be mindful that safety is the one weak spot with learning on a small lathe, you can get away with some things that a larger more powerful lathe would bite you on, the flip side is that if you make a safety mistake with a small lathe you are more likely to live and learn than with a larger lathe.

 

[dabear3428]

Thanks for the comment.

Been through Quinn's entire repetroir already (except for the miniature train stuff, which is of no interest to me) and I'm working my way through Artisan Makes content now. Haven't heard of the other two, but I'll look into them.

I'm of the "wouldn't it be nice if I had something to do" type of hobbyist. Well, if I'm being completely honest, I'm more of the "wouldn't it be nice if I had something interesting to do so that I have an excuse to put off doing those things I need to do" type of hobbyist.

man i hear you on that lol

 

[VicHobbyGuy]

I don't think she does whilst machining, or not in any of her videos that I've watched recently at least.

I haven't watched her videos recently, but I spent quite a few hours on her YT channel when I first got my lathe. I remember her addressing the gloves 'issue' in one video, but I didn't make a note of it at the time. She does (or used to) wear gloves while machining.
Example: Metal Lathe Tutorial 15: Parting

 

[Eric S Dunn]

I haven't watched her videos recently, but I spent quite a few hours on her YT channel when I first got my lathe. I remember her addressing the gloves 'issue' in one video, but I didn't make a note of it at the time. She does (or used to) wear gloves while machining.
Example: Metal Lathe Tutorial 15: Parting

View attachment 515861

Having watched her videos very recently, I can attest that she does sometimes wear gloves while machining. I don't remember which videos in particular, but there was one where she wore gloves and said something along the lines of: "I don't normally wear gloves while using the lathe, but these should rip off easily if they get caught."

 

[SouthernChap]

I haven't watched her videos recently, but I spent quite a few hours on her YT channel when I first got my lathe. I remember her addressing the gloves 'issue' in one video, but I didn't make a note of it at the time. She does (or used to) wear gloves while machining.
Example: Metal Lathe Tutorial 15: Parting

View attachment 515861

I stand corrected

I certainly wouldn't have ever worn gloves as loose fitting as those, even with latex or nitrile.

I mean, I was satisfied by my basic empirical testing that the fragility of the gloves I was using, was enough to have a reasonable assurance of safety, but my testing wasn't utterly comprehensive, and I generally try not to poke fate in the eye and shout "COME ON THEN...WHATCHA GOT??!!!"

I always bought gloves that were, if anything, a little tight on me for that 'second skin' fit.

Anyway, I don't wear gloves of any kind any more, I wanted to mention my former ways, so as to suggest the thinking behind the "No gloves" rule, rather than just repeat the mantra.

 

[GrifterGuru]

i find that carbide inserts work on my smaller lathe if you buy the Ground type (listed for aluminum) or if you hone a sharper cutting edge on them with a diamond hone.

@dabear3428

TBF, I do use xxGT inserts and I have used a diamond "hone" to sharpen up non-xxGT inserts.

I will also freely admit to having started re-using HSS

Been through Quinn's entire repetroir already (except for the miniature train stuff, which is of no interest to me)

@Eric S Dunn

To be fair, I think you should watch that content, there are some interesting set-ups, information and tips mixed in there.


@SouthernChap

Never worn gloves, never will. I find them highly distracting and they cause exacerbation of pre-existing skin issues (Eczema / dermatitis).

My hands have been covered in one form of oil or grease since I was 4 years old, in the pit under cars and I would not have it any other way.

Not all will agree with your list.

@VicHobbyGuy

Depends on the list and depends on the particular needs / desires of the person

 

[GrifterGuru]

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