Member postings for Hollowpoint

My first and still the one I own today is my VMC knee mill, it was in a state when I bought it. It has no badges on it anywhere so I don't know if it's a Myford, warco or Chester varient but it has served me well.

I've since had several Dore Westbury machines which I restored before selling them on.

In the future I would like to replace the VMC with another but in better condition.

This kinda confirms what I suspected. It seems most people own several lathes before they settle on one.

I was just wondering what lathes you guys have had. What did you start with? what do you have now? Any you regret selling?

Mine in order:

Raglan Loughborough (Excellent but basic)

Myford ML7 (Very good but limited through the headstock)

Boxford AUD (Excellent perfect for my needs my current lathe)

Unimat SL (Surprisingly capable little model makers lathe)

Sieg C1 (Never got on with this one)

Sieg C2/3 (Average in every way)

I can't take credit for the idea I'm afraid. My Dad worked as a CNC machinist for a while and he told me this is how the workers dealt with carbide tips on damaged milling cutters.

Edited By Hollowpoint on 17/07/2019 12:01:03

Maybe there was some work hardening going on? Are you 100% sure it was mild steel?

I had the same problem with a second hand tool. I just hit the carbide tip with a chisel to break it. The screw then just came out by hand.

I've noticed it, it's just one or two know-it-all types who like to dismiss anyone else's ideas and opinions.

I've had it and I've seen others have to put up with these negative people too.

Very good cutting tools, but IMO they never quite matched the quality of presto or dormer. They also made other item such as collet chucks which where up there with the best.

I would cut each side of the slot separately. Using a smaller cutter first, that way you are more than halving the load on the cutter and allowing the chips to fall away.

Edited By Hollowpoint on 09/07/2019 16:39:24

To make studding quickly and easily take a look at this:

YouTube video

Edited By Hollowpoint on 01/07/2019 18:43:07

Buying from a reputable dealer is no guarantee of quality I'm afraid. You should see the state of the quick change tool holder I bought recently from one of the very well known suppliers.

Cutting tools are the one thing I won't buy from China/India with the exception of Chinese carbide tips.

I have one of those collet chucks, I machined the backplate to fit the inside of the register quite tightly. The runout was less than 0.01mm which was fine for me.

I like them and prefer them to 3 jaw chucks. That said a collet chuck would be much higher up on my list.

If you're just looking to spend some money and treat yourself one of the best upgrades is a QCTP without doubt. DRO scales are another time saver as is the often overlooked tailstock turret.

I usually chuck up something with a point and then eyeball the cutter up to it then I chuck up a piece of stock and face it making fine adjusments with th QCTP.

I've always found a badly centred tool gives poor finish.

Edited By Hollowpoint on 27/06/2019 19:15:52

What about the PU belt you weld together with heat. I believe you can get that in small sizes.

I've seen this problem come up on several occasions. Most of the DIY fixes I've seen involve using shims or making permanent modifications to the saddle/plates.

It got me thinking, essentially we are trying to get the saddle to clamp to the lathe bed as tightly as possible but still allow ease of movement? correct?

Why not make a replacement saddle plate with a row of bearings in contact with the underside of the lathe bed? You could then tighten the saddle down quite considerably and still maintain perfectly smooth operation. I've never seen this been done its just an idea of mine. It seems like an obvious solution so what am I missing?

Looks homemade to me. If it had been made in a factory there would likely be much greater use of castings.

No need to go out and buy forsner bits, if you have a big old milling cutter that will work just as well.

Baron Greenback from danger mouse.