Stiffening Lathe Bed

[SouthernChap]

I converted to stud & nut mounting (12.9) for the headstock. So much easier to deal with than messing about with an allen key. and does not mean removing the dang motor to take the headstock off. Simply only have to remove the control panel, change-gear cover, the alloy plate on the back of the headstock, timing belt and nothing else. Motor stays in place. Plain nuts with HS (High Strength) thread lock.

As the kids probably don't say anymore, OMG!

That's a really good idea!

Deffo going to do that for tranche 2.1.

 

[Dontheo55]

Thanks so much to all. I get it all. The problem is I upgraded my bed length which started me down the rabbit hole. The new bed, from LMS, was suprisingly good as far as being true and in spec. However, once I started fitting the old parts to it I started down the hole. I am going to tale it all apart again and start over. I think I will mount it upon an old piece of counter top which mics out to be within a couple thou. The thing is, the 7x10 was running so true but I started machining some firearm parts and needed the longer bed.

My shops on pier and beams so buying a larger lathe is out due to the weight. No basements in Texas either. So its back to crawling into the hole and seeing how deep this sucker goes.

Thanks again to everyone. A lot of good stuff to consider. I love scraping and lapping until I am half way through the project and cant feel my hands or arms. Okay all, its off to the shop. Go Texans today!

Ted

 

[GrifterGuru]

@Dontheo55

Interesting work, please, keep us updated as you work through it. and remember photos. we love photos. Photos or it didnt happen.. LOL

What motor do you have, Brushed or brushless? have you upgraded to a more powerful motor?
Do you have a single speed or 2 speed headstock? (2 speed gives great torque in "low" even with brushless)


As to upgrades & mods, I could write a fair list of things that can be done but I will refrain for now other than the following....

Have you fitted brass gibs?
Have you done the "bearing" mod for the top slide feed-screw? (See YT Channel "We Can Do That Better")
Have you thought of a "bearing" mod for the cross-slide feed screw? (new feedscrew, custom carrier boss)
Have you done the "Extended travel" mod for the saddle?
Have you swapped the plastic handwheels for metal ones?
Do you have a single half nut & hook, or is it dual half nut?
Do you have an apron swarf guard (on the rear side)
Are you change-gears metal or plastic or Have you fitted an ELS to get rid of the change gears?
Are your reverse tumbler gears metal or plastic?
Do you have a large (100mm) foot tailstock that is more stable?
Have you made a new locking plate for the tailstock?
Have you made & fitted a carriage lock integral to the saddle?


OK, OK, I will shut up now! LOL

 

[GrifterGuru]

I'm not sure I've done a great job of explaining this so, I'll grab some photos to illustrate the above, in a bit.

Oh, no need. I understand perfectly.

and yes, the chipboard core is a darn good dampener. It is the fact it is fixed to two walls, a cabinet underneath and a cabinet to the side that forms the echo box and resonationation chamber....

 

[SouthernChap]

Oh, no need. I understand perfectly.

It's not all about you, you know!

Here's some pics for anyone else that might be interested;

Headstock end:

Tailstock-end

The "bigger picture" so to speak:

(you'll notice the missing carriage and tailstock; I noticed a teensy bit of play at the front of the saddle and so it all came off yesterday again for shimming; I've reshimmed the front sorted now but I'll re-check the back and middle, just to verify)

 

[Dontheo55]

Someone asked for updates and pics on my rebuild. I am kind of new to forums. Would I just post it here or start a new thread? Thanks. Ted

 

[Jake M]

Someone asked for updates and pics on my rebuild. I am kind of new to forums. Would I just post it here or start a new thread? Thanks. Ted

You'll figure out the forum thing quick enough. It doesn't matter what subject it is, it's just a group of people who are so far out to lunch that we have to turn to the internet to find like minded individuals to converse with.

Most folks look at these just like any other conversation, it's just not necessarily in real time. You've had conversations I'm sure. Sometimes they're on point, sometimes they're all over the map, and sometimes they just get all inside out on themselves. This is all of that, but slower.

You asked one question, which lead to discussion, which lead to interest... Pictures here is fair game. Odds are its mostly going to be seen by the folks who took an interest in the original title.

I think it mostly follows this conversation. If that's the case, I'd vote to put it here.

If you WANTED to (Regardless of how much we like pictures, there's no obligation), and you have enough notes and photos to do it, and you WANTED to document the complete rebuild for interested folks, for the archives, for posterity, or just for amusement..., then it would prolly be best it's own thread with it's own title. Nothing wrong with that approach either if that matches your intentions better.

 

[Dontheo55]

Thanks JakeM, i can have conversations that are all over the map.. I was just in this one forum about building fishing rods and people were all angry all the time about protocol and all kinds of things. It was crazy. I am retired now and just enjoy every day being a holiday. Some of those forums are too much lime work used to be.

Cant wait to get started on this lathe again. I never gave twist much any thought before. I just thought it was something that was not necessary to worry about. But now it makes sense and may be part of my problem getting the new bed working. I can see how easy it would be to twist it when i clamp it down to a table top even though it is a lab type table. I had the 7x10 on a piece of granite before I upgraded to the longer bed. I moved the new lathe bed to the lab table without the granite. I got a lot more to think about now as I go further down this rabbit hole. No doubt a lot more money to spend too. I think I will bolt the bed down the granite first and then secure the granite to the table with toe clamps. This way i can push it to the rear of the table when not in use.