©By: John T. Blair (WA4OHZ)
1133 Chatmoss Dr., Va. Beach, Va. 23464; (757) 495-8229
Last update: June 25, 2000
The following information mostly pertains to Lathes and how to use one. I've assembled the information here from a series of post on the shop-talk mailing list in June of 2000.
I have taken some editorial license in compiling this info and have edited out the unnecessary or non applicable information from the emails.
It all started when Rex Burkheimer wrote:
OK, I bought that old Logan lathe. Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. I have yet to find a suitable book at the library. Can anyone make a recommendation on reading material for a neophyte?In order to learn the machine, I need a project or two. My primary uses will be in SCCA race car maintenance and constuction.
What kinds of things do people make with a lathe for this purpose?
Randall Young posted the following information of books that are available on the subject:
Check out
Lindsay books. Logan's "How to Run a Lathe" is not only
particularly appropriate
Also SHERLINE
Products has "Tabletop Machining" which, while not
quite as appropriate (it's written for smaller equipment, like a 4" lathe),
makes good reading and has several projects suitable for the beginner that
you should be able to make on your Logan.
The
Metalworking FAQ/Compendium also has some good info, mixed in
with a bunch of topics you probably aren't interested in (yet).
And, you might want to subscribe to Home Shop Machinist and Machinist's
Workshop at
Village Press. Although not automotive oriented, they cover
a wide range of projects.
Randall
Brian Reynolds added:
Here are some site I have found in the last year or so. Hope
they help.
New
Life Video Productions has a series of Instructional
Videotapes For the Machinist, by Rudy Kouhoupt. I purchased a
couple of these videos. He includes plans for a boring bar holder
which he makes on the "Fundamentals of machine lathe operation"
video. They contain a lot of good info (especially for the
beginner), but they are dry and were filmed at home.
Other place to check out:
The Home Machinist's Handbook by Doug Briney. $20.00
(contains a lot of very good, practical information, for any
lathe (They use a Sherline). Well worth the $20, in my opinion.
Some include projects are: center punch, machinist jack, brass
mallet, ball peen hammer, setup tool, parallel bars, machist
clamp, angle plate, sine bar, and a Miniature cannon. This
book is available at Sherline Precision Miniature Machine Tools &
Accessories
The Home Shop Machinist magazine
Setting up and inspecting a lathe
And
Some Helpful
Tips on Evaluating a Lathe by Meridian Machinery
John contributed this
very interesting site:
Marv's Klotz's Utilities. It contains DOS based programs for
a lot of the calculations done in machining. There is some very
interesting information here.
I followed one of the links (given earlier) and found a nice
software site for metalworking people:
Shop Talk mailing list:
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Additionally here are some more links:
end