Garage hacks, adjustments and annoyances.........

Citydude · Mar 15, 2020

Oldpath05 said:
We wanted 1/4 x 3 x 3" in 20' length but the steel shop didn't have it so I ask for 3/8 angle in anything 20' length, they said yes in 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" and they close in an hr, so bought that, just under $110.00 cut in half, the guy said the 1/4" x3" would be about $25.00 cheaper. Before we went to get steel we kinda ran around with tape, measuring how big a stand and came up with 20' should be plenty, ended up being just barely, amazing how inches adds into feet so quick. Now I'm assuming I can make a lathe stand cheaper then buying one, l'll be upset after all done find one for $150.00.....

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Thanks. Looking forward to the completion stage.

fried1765 · Mar 15, 2020

Oldpath05 said:
I worked for them 40 years ago at the old place, their lathe back then was twice the size. I was amazed with their sandblast set up, I think they still have the same at the newer place, mostly used to rebuild antique stoves, they make them like new again.

I have bought several refurbished antique stoves from them over the past 20 years.
I love their little private museum too.
Good folks!

Reb954 · Mar 16, 2020

Oldpath05 said:
We wanted 1/4 x 3 x 3" in 20' length but the steel shop didn't have it so I ask for 3/8 angle in anything 20' length, they said yes in 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" and they close in an hr, so bought that, just under $110.00 cut in half, the guy said the 1/4" x3" would be about $25.00 cheaper. Before we went to get steel we kinda ran around with tape, measuring how big a stand and came up with 20' should be plenty, ended up being just barely, amazing how inches adds into feet so quick. Now I'm assuming I can make a lathe stand cheaper then buying one, l'll be upset after all done find one for $150.00.....

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Vibration is a killer on a lathe as it transmits into the finish of the part being turned. Are you adding a shelf down low? Those long legs would concern me but a shelf will make them more rigid.

Are you adding leveling jacks? Leveling a lathe from end to end is good but more important is leveling it from side to side as that helps reduce twist and tension on the lathe bed.

Weight is your friend on something like this.

metalbender · Mar 16, 2020

Need more steel. Some cross braces and shelf will help. Agree on the leg levelers, with hockey pucks as a base. Solid but reduce vibrations. Bolt locations to bolt it down? . A tray shaped with a drain hole and catch can would do wonders. Get it fully built before you put the machine on. Keep the pics coming.

Oldpath05 · Mar 16, 2020

Reb954 said:
Vibration is a killer on a lathe as it transmits into the finish of the part being turned. Are you adding a shelf down low? Those long legs would concern me but a shelf will make them more rigid.

Are you adding leveling jacks? Leveling a lathe from end to end is good but more important is leveling it from side to side as that helps reduce twist and tension on the lathe bed.

Weight is your friend on something like this.

Oh yes adding shelf's and more bracing, I dont even think we're half done yet, I want one deep draw for shavings, then some shelf's for tooling that's still on wish list. The bench as it sits is almost perfectly level, but was thinking of adding 3/4 fine thread bolts on all 4 legs for making the lathe dead on, I might look around for prices on leveling feet.

Must be nice how some people can draw all this out on computer to exact measurements, but with little experience we have we can get something strong for a lathe bench. My son couldn't even wait for a bench to try the lathe, he stuck a short 3/4 round bar in the chuck and made it smooth, he's always been like that cant wait. We'll do some more on the bench this coming weekend......

Oldpath05 · Mar 16, 2020

metalbender said:
Need more steel. Some cross braces and shelf will help. Agree on the leg levelers, with hockey pucks as a base. Solid but reduce vibrations. Bolt locations to bolt it down? . A tray shaped with a drain hole and catch can would do wonders. Get it fully built before you put the machine on. Keep the pics coming.

Yep, we'll get back on it this weekend and I will post more pics next week of how it's going, stay tuned...........

Reb954 · Mar 18, 2020

Here are a couple pictures of an old Craftsman lathe I have with a factory stand. Notice the stainless steel catch pan under the lathe and the stainless bottom shelf. Also the legs flare at the top in both directions to provide extra support. I can't even remember the last time I used this lathe, it just sits in the corner just in case I need it.

Oldpath05 · Mar 19, 2020

Thats a ole nice lathe and bench, looks 50s or 60s. After seeing that bench made me think that lip around it must be for catching cooling oil while machining, now I'm thinking I should to the same thing, wont be SS though.

Unless your building something that requires round to fit in round or have some sort of mil where everything is turning on round, probably not much use for lathe but just nice to have you know just in-case..........
Sons's shingle mill>> CKShingle - YouTube

Reb954 · Mar 20, 2020

I'm not sure what age the lathe is but I will have to look that up. Beyond catching coolant, the tray also helps keep some of the chips from scattering around the shop so it is beneficial. I also need to make a guard on the back so chips, oil and such aren't being thrown against the wall. I can't feature I will ever add coolant to the lathe but I do like to keep the mess somewhat contained.

I do like to build things but I am sure most every guy does. For me I mainly use steel so a lathe and mill come in handy. I am in the process of rebuilding a mill for home use but I have several months left before it will be ready to use.

This picture is taking the ram off for clean up and painting, the head is under the garbage sack on the left. Like I tell people, give me a piece of steel and I will build you most anything, give me a piece of wood and I will be doing good to build you a fire. I'm not really that bad but it gets the idea across.

Your son has quite the operation and he is good at it. Like a machine. Thanks for the video.

Oldpath05 · Mar 20, 2020

Looks like now your even further back in time to maybe 40s-50s on that super duty milling machine, it just has that antique look about it. Whats the ETA of getting all up and running? Tried to find pictures of it and heres the closes I found.