Sphere 10" lathe (Atlas clone)

[tooorisky]

Does the Sphere use Zamak change gears like the Atlas?

Not the model I have. I am looking at this (

) as an alternative. Looks like a good option and quieter.

Threading gears you can get away with 3D printing, back gears not so much.

Too much work going on with those.

I thought as much. Looking at options to but from the states.

 

[jwmay]

I’ve been using 3d printed gears for about 4 years. Now I don’t use the lathe often, but when it’s being used, it’s not babied. I’ve had no problems.

 

[tooorisky]

I’ve been using 3d printed gears for about 4 years. Now I don’t use the lathe often, but when it’s being used, it’s not babied. I’ve had no problems.

What plastic do you use please? Do you use 100% fill?

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Not the model I have. I am looking at this (

) as an alternative. Looks like a good option and quieter.

I thought as much. Looking at options to but from the states.

Check out this guys kits.

I like this much better than the C42 offering.

Electronic Lead Screw

I developed my own Electronic Lead Screw for metal lathe. It is available online on https://electronicleadscrew.eu

m.youtube.com

I’m on my phone and can’t find a direct link to his website, it’s in some of the video descriptions though if you look.

If your lathe does not have power X feed the 2axis model can provide that too.

 

[SouthernChap]

Thinking about it how often would I use the back gears and how strong would they need to be?

I think it depends on what materials and what diameters you were planning on turning.

The point of the back gear is to reduce the spindle speed and increase mechanical advantage. The harder materials like steels, cast iron (and some bronzes too) tend to call for a lower RPM and, if the lathe is rigid enough, can benefit from the increased torque to allow an increased DOC.

If you think you'll only ever be using the higher spindle speeds that are available without using the back gear then I guess the broken tooth won't be a problem, since you won't be engaging that gear.

However, I reckon you don't really want a built in capability of the machine to be unusable if possible so if you can find a replacement gear, or get one made, or even make one yourself, then that would be better.

 

[Charles scozzari]

I found this place and kept the info. in case. GearsMade.com.

 

[jwmay]

What plastic do you use please? Do you use 100% fill?

Unfortunately, I just knew a guy at work who had a printer and was always looking for a project. I think they’re PLA, but I can’t be sure. I assume it was whatever is cheapest. That coworker was a few jobs ago now.

Also, this wasn’t a back gear. On mine, it’s the fwd/rev gears between the spindle and banjo gears.

I do think they’re 100% fill.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

I think it depends on what materials and what diameters you were planning on turning.

The point of the back gear is to reduce the spindle speed and increase mechanical advantage. The harder materials like steels, cast iron (and some bronzes too) tend to call for a lower RPM and, if the lathe is rigid enough, can benefit from the increased torque to allow an increased DOC.

If you think you'll only ever be using the higher spindle speeds that are available without using the back gear then I guess the broken tooth won't be a problem, since you won't be engaging that gear.

However, I reckon you don't really want a built in capability of the machine to be unusable if possible so if you can find a replacement gear, or get one made, or even make one yourself, then that would be better.

Here’s the thing, it can really come down to how the machine was manufactured.

Overall I say it’s a bad idea as we have a Supermax mill with a sacrificial plastic gear in the low range in the head.

What happens is the gears are of an even tooth count and any type of interrupted cut will constantly impact the same tooth on the gears weakening and eventually breaking off that tooth.

We had regularly replaced this gear when this machine was in heavy rotation.

Keep in mind these are factory made nylon gears and this is on a mill. Breaking a tooth off in the lathe could ruin a part, where as on the mill you would only likely mar the finish if it was your final pass.

Food for thought.

 

[SouthernChap]

Here’s the thing, it can really come down to how the machine was manufactured.

Overall I say it’s a bad idea as we have a Supermax mill with a sacrificial plastic gear in the low range in the head.

What happens is the gears are of an even tooth count and any type of interrupted cut will constantly impact the same tooth on the gears weakening and eventually breaking off that tooth.

We had regularly replaced this gear when this machine was in heavy rotation.

Keep in mind these are factory made nylon gears and this is on a mill. Breaking a tooth off in the lathe could ruin a part, where as on the mill you would only likely mar the finish if it was your final pass.

Food for thought.

Yeah, when I said "find a replacement gear, or get one made, or even make one yourself" I was thinking in steel rather than a 3D printed gear.

Plastics for change gears seem okay to me, but I'd worry about durability with something that sees the kinds of forces that you might see on a back gear.

Something like one of the Tufnol type materials might be workable too; I'd think Tufnol would still be able to provide a 'safety' shear point but would be tough enough to survive use on something like a back gear that will experience a fair bit of force; be a fair bit quieter than steel too.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Yeah, when I said "find a replacement gear, or get one made, or even make one yourself" I was thinking in steel rather than a 3D printed gear.

Plastics for change gears seem okay to me, but I'd worry about durability with something that sees the kinds of forces that you might see on a back gear.

Something like one of the Tufnol type materials might be workable too; I'd think Tufnol would still be able to provide a 'safety' shear point but would be tough enough to survive use on something like a back gear that will experience a fair bit of force; be a fair bit quieter than steel too.

See, that’s the problem with your wordiness mate.

I get distracted by a squirrel or some random shiny object halfway through reading war and piece and I miss imported details.