Member postings for Thomas Gregory 1

Just what I wanted to hear, thanks.

I need some 2"1/2 x 1/2 flat mild steel which I need to bore a hole and put a radius on the flat corners (if that makes sense) using the lathe. I see lots of EN3B about but is there anything else that may be suitable?

M-Machine sell EN8 and EN32B but searching looks like there's a lot of issues machining these?

Many Thanks
Tom

Edited By Thomas Gregory 1 on 10/12/2021 12:55:47

Thanks all, I do think making an endless vice to fit the Tslots would be a good project. Here's a pic of two vices a chap with the same mill (on the mig forums) made for his, I'm sure he won't mind me posting the photos.

Thanks all, I think I may go for the MSC 2" jobbie for now whilst I'm just playing as I imagine having a smaller vice may have it's uses in the future. I'll decide about a bigger vice once I have a bit more of an idea, the 80mm versatile seems to be a good big vice but I think as John said above alternative clamping arrangements may be an option to look at, especially bigger stuff.

Can someone summarise the pro's and cons to a layman on the clamping types between the precision 2 and 3, rack/hex key vs screw and handle?

Many Thanks

Tom

Oh and whoever mentioned the MSC Advantange brochure, please can you forward me your contact details so I know where to send my wife when she sees the credit card statment!

Links to said items

73mm Precision 3

https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Workholding/Machine-Vices/Precision-Tool-Vices-Type-3

80mm Versatile

https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Workholding/Machine-Vices/ARC-Versatile-Milling-Vices-with-swivel-base

From what I gather you remove the swivel base and stick it on the shelf.

I post a bit on yacht forums and I fear this might be an equivalent to a "what anchor thread" but I'm new to this and have quickly realised you can't just buy a lathe, you need the rest of the stuff as well. So along with my little Hobbymat MD65 I've bought a BFE to go with it but as a newbie I don't want to make mistakes and forums are a great place to her opinions.

Now it seems like I need a vice to go with this little milling machine.... the versatile is a popular vice but I've noticed the Precision 3 on ARCs website which looks a neat unit. 100mm seems a popular choice but I fear it would be little oversized for the machine so 80mm may a bit more sensible, the 73mm precision even more "compact".

The versatile may be a good shout with the alternative jaw options, I can't imagine the BFE doing much more than "light work" so for the odd job may be the better option?

Thoughts, opinions? I'm all ears.

Edited By Thomas Gregory 1 on 26/11/2021 22:30:28

Buying some preground tool was a way to remove a variable from my lurning curve as mentioned by others. I do intend to buy some blanks to have a play with but I thought having a preground set (well a RH one first, then a set) would be easiest for a newbie.

It's only £6.50, and I'm sure I'll use it at some point but just a pain it's going to be £7.50 for the "other" tool when it's not really clear to someone buying tools for the first time to use different names to others.

I'm not tight... just don't have a lot of money.

This was the Soba picture I found.

I know I'll need both, and many others but I have a list with about a grands worth of "bits" I would like and thought the £50 I would save buying the set for something else whilst I'm learning.

I bought a R/H HSS tool from Chronos for my new to me Hobbymat just to get me started, or at least I thought I bought a R/H tool.

Link

It came through and looking at it in my hand, it's what I would call a L/H tool. A Soba diagram online supports this.

Chronos has said it cuts from L-R (but are calling it a R/H tool) when I got in touch but have gone quiet when I've asked if they've sent me the wrong one as the description in the link above says Right Hand in it (all their adverts for different sizes are saying this). If I'm honest I've not been impressed with their communications and think I'll put them to the bottom of the list when buying the rest of the tooling I need.

Is this something stupid like they are know differently between the UK and USA and I've picked up on the American way?

Thanks both, I've flicked through the manual (printed it off yesterday) but not sat down and had a proper read yet.

I don't need to buy the gib, I just saw the knurled screw in the advert and recognised it as something I have in the spares box and wondered what it was for.

Can I ask what size tools people normally use, 8mm or 10mm?

Edit to say I've sussed what the knurled screw is for. The belt cover retaining screw, through the small hole above the spindle hole in the cover.

Edited By Thomas Gregory 1 on 06/11/2021 21:15:25

Sorry the screw in the picture of the ebay advert I've linked to.

I've seen people remove that flange and make a new one and use a front mount chucks so they haven't got to mess about with the rear studs.

Thanks for the replies.

As mentioned, change gears, drill chuck, milling plate, there's the hobbymat vice and dust cover as well. No centres but they're cheap enough to buy, no faceplate or outside jaws for the Bison chuck which is a bit of a pain but I've found some from Gloster Tooling.

Can anyone shed any light on the screw in the middle of this photo is for? I've got on in the "box of bits). The advert says gib strip etc but I can't see in the advert what the etc is or where it goes or what its for on my lathe.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobbbymat-MD65-cross-slide-gib-strip-etc-/234250063701?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Also I have this backplate, although the register is internal which makes me think it's not a backplate, maybe an adapter for a front mount 4 jaw chuck (without the holes and register machined on the face yet)?

Many Thanks

Tom

Edited By Thomas Gregory 1 on 05/11/2021 21:05:03

Well I've just picked up a 1985 MD65 from a lovely house with double garage workshop in the Cotswolds. The seller who's clearing his late fathers tools said his father had lots of plans to built things but never actually did much. I think he liked buying tools more than using them!?! Anyhow, he had a new Warco 1022 that had never been upwrapped and a Myford along with other "bits".

Honestly, I don't think this lathe has been used, there's all the delivery grease over it and there were no "chips" sat in it. No belt dust on the inside of the cover that hadn't even had the hinge fitted to the machine. No sign of the tool post screws being "used". If it has been used it's been cleaned very well as I turned a bit of brass when I got home and got some in the grease, when trying to brush them off I moved the grease (lower arrow in pic). I think I'll have to give it a good clean and set it up.

Edited By Thomas Gregory 1 on 05/11/2021 10:05:43

I had seen the one on H&W advertised on ebay, all be it for £170 more than the website price. Even at the lower price it's still a little more money than I have at the moment (but the slow speed mod is a nice addition to make it worth the extra). It's also a good drive to get there as well.

I think I'll just have to keep an sharp eye out on the usual sites, I'm in no rush.

I'll have a look at the Taig lathes but screw cutting is certainly a plus for me.

HI all, I'm looking for my first lathe/milling machines. I've not got a huge budget so I've been looking at secondhand and I think a Hobbymat may suit my needs.

I've been looking at eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace but wonder if there's a better place to find used small machines?

Also does anyone have any recommendations of other machines that may suit me? Obviously there's a lot of the chinese stuff knocking about which I'm aware of, but something decent but alternative.

Kind Regards

Tom