When to run lathe in reverse.

[dave2176]

What about threading the back side of the hole with the tool right side up and the spindle reversed? Does that work OK? Never done it but it seems you could see the cut better.

I use a left hand internal thread tool in the back side of a hole with the lathe running in reverse to cut a right hand thread. It does allow you to see the cut better I suppose than turning a right hand tool upside down.

Dave

 

[cjtoombs]

It hasn't been mentioned yet, so I will take the honors: Don't run a lathe with a screw on chuck in reverse, as you could easily wind up unscrewing the chuck accidentaly.

 

[silence dogood]

This is not exactly running a lathe in reverse. When I took machine shop in high school, the instructor had us cut from left to right. So our tumblers were usually in the left hand mode. With a bunch of 14 and 15 year old boys, it made sense. I still do it that way, in fact, that is one the reasons that I purchased the lathe that I now own
Mark.

 

[silence dogood]

I have never heard of filing on the lathe in reverse. Since my lathe has a chuck cover, I stand on the left hand side, support my arm on the headstock, and file away from the spinning chuck(if the lathe did not have a chuck cover, I'd be standing on the tailstock side). In this case, since the lathe is running in reverse, where would one stand and how would one hold the file? On safety sake, I feel a little nervous about this. I think that I'd rather flip the switch and file the normal way. I'd really appreciate any input on this.
Mark

 

[pollardd]

Here is another one,

My Atlas lathe has a combination of change gears that allow for cutting Metric Threads on an Imperial Lead Screw.
To do this once the clasp nut is engaged and the first cut taken it must be left engaged until the thread is complete.

Therefore at the end of each cut you must reverse the lathe to return the tool back to the start of the cut.

Unfortunately my atlas lathe has no reverse gear (see screw on chuck above) so the spindle must be wound back by hand.
I have seen some ingenious quick release crank handles described in other threads here that attach to the back of the spindle to make this job easy.

This is also the case when cutting any weird pitch that isn't easily divisible by the pitch on your lead screw and number of marks on your chasing dial.
I forget the formula for this. I learnt it way to long ago

David

- - - Updated - - -

I have never heard of filing on the lathe in reverse. Since my lathe has a chuck cover, I stand on the left hand side, support my arm on the headstock, and file away from the spinning chuck(if the lathe did not have a chuck cover, I'd be standing on the tailstock side). In this case, since the lathe is running in reverse, where would one stand and how would one hold the file? On safety sake, I feel a little nervous about this. I think that I'd rather flip the switch and file the normal way. I'd really appreciate any input on this.
Mark

It is much easier Left Handed Not many things in life are but filing on a lathe is one of them.
(Running forward of course)

 

[Ulma Doctor]

i run a lathe in reverse when i want to put metal back on to parts :jester:

 

[Marco Bernardini]

i run a lathe in reverse when i want to put metal back on to parts :jester:

Have to make the same on my drill press… often I make holes in the wrong place
:roflmao:

 

[xalky]

Cutting a groove on a face of a shoulder and you don't have the left handed grooving tool holder. I ran into that a couple of weeks ago. There's tons of reasons why you would run the lathe in reverse, but, its hard to say until the need arises.

 

[Bill Gruby]

It hasn't been mentioned yet, so I will take the honors: Don't run a lathe with a screw on chuck in reverse, as you could easily wind up unscrewing the chuck accidentaly.

This statement is correct and incorrect at the same time. My spindle thread is 1 1/2-8 RH thread. There are three set screws (brass) that hold the chuck when running it in reverse. The chances of the chuck coming off ade nil to none. This is on an Asian 9X20.

"Billy G"

 

[projectnut]

i run a lathe in reverse when i want to put metal back on to parts :jester:

The hardest part is to replace the chips in the reverse order they came off the part. If you don't get the order correct the part is usually junk.