Learn to use a metal lathe

I would like to learn the basics (or at least have a demonstration) of using a metal lathe before purchasing. I am in Hampshire. Anybody help?

TIA

Good luck with your request, I am to far away to help but a nice thing for a local person to do.

SMEE do basic courses, based in London.

Sadly, there only seems to be one course a year with SMEE and I have missed the boat for this year.

Welcome to the forum, Eliza!

Is there a model-engineering society near you, who'd be willing to help you?

You will also find plenty of advice on those and on specific turning matters, here.

Most amateur machinists are self-taught, helped by reference-books and mutual-support fora like clubs and this site. There are various books readily available to help you - have a look at TEE Publishing's and ARC Eurotrade's on-line catalogue for example.

One of the latest was written by one of this site's regulars (& moderators?) - Neil Wyatt, whose Lathework for Beginners keeps appearing in ARC's side-bar ads here!

What particular field of metalworking are you interested in, e.g. model-engineering in its strict sense (working, scaled-down replicas of various machines); making scientific-instruments or clocks; restoring old vehicles, tools etc.?

Hi Eliza,

Depends where you are - Hampshire is a big place! If you're anywhere within travelling range of Guildford you'd be welcome to spend an hour or two learning a few things on my lathe.

Steve

Eliza,

Where are you located exactly (nearest town)?

Mike

Blondihacks on YouTube is probably a good place to start as she covers some of the beginner's questions in a good, clear way.

Metal Lathe Tutorial 1

Absolute Beginners Start Here

Absolute Beginners - Day 2

Martin C

Welcome to the party Eliza, There are or were clubs at Bornemouth, southampton Andover and portsmouth, there may well be many more. Do you have a specific area of interest that a lathe would be used ? I'm up in Norfolk so to far away, you would be welcome to have a go on my lathe. In October there will be the Midland Model Engineering Exhibition that might be interesting. Good luck and best wishes. Noel

Not quite if you are quick. The part one course got delayed by a week and will now start next Saturday (the 19th).

You may also be interested in the part two (Polly) course which starts on May 14th

College of north west london https://cnwl.ac.uk/ offers various courses (starting from zero experience) in metalwork (either using a lathe and mill or welding and fabrication). They aren't perfect, but they are relatively inexpensive and worthwhile.

sometimes our model engineering society runs courses based on demand (we are in West Wiltshire, Westbury), however there is always someone around happy to give hints and tips.

Best of luck

Thanks, everyone for your replies -I am based just outside Winchester so neither Guildford or Westbury are out of the question. Anyone else nearer who would be willing to give a demo?

You buy a lathe

You buy a good book

You give it a try

Works every time !

You make a cock-up ?

Welcome to the club !

There are no short cuts, you just get stuck in and when you run into a problem, just ask here !

Be assured, someone will come to your aid ! How do I know ? Ask me !

It may be worth visiting one of your local "Mens Sheds" ( Ladies welcome also )

New Arelsford, Kingsworthy, Colden Common & Eastleigh all have one. Look them up on Google. Many of the mens sheds have members with lathes or even have one in the building. Look them up you will be welcome & get a cup of tea for your efforts.

IHTH

regards

Another vote here for the Blondihacks videos on youtube, She is upfront when she makes mistakes which is refreshing, is quite mindful of safety and has an approachable style.

Hi Eliza,

Welcome to the forum. I’d also recommend Blondihacks from YouTube and a retired metal work teacher called mrpete222, aka tubalcain, we’ll structured videos which I find perfect for a beginner (me).

I’m in a similar situation to you, I do have a lathe but I need to fix it first and then learn how to use it.

Have fun,

Paul

Welcome to the Forum.

Am sure that you will find help.

I would, but am in East Midlands so too far away.

It might be worth buying L H Sparey's "The Amateurs Lathe" to get an insight.

Later, other books will enlarge your knowledge.

If you decide to buy a lathe, your choice will be modified / determined by

What you want use it for. What do you envisage making? A 6" scale traction engine is different from 00 gauge railways or lace bobbins.

Budget There are arguments in favour of new and second hand. New you have come back mif there is a problem, but used may be cheaper to buy. But you definitely need first hand advice on bying a used machine. If you do, shiny paint may not be a better machine than one some chips in the paint!

Space and location. A mini lathe will weigh about 35 - 40 Ks which can be carried upstairs by two ,people, if that is where you choose to have your workshop. The same cannot be said of a machine weighing 300Kg!

Buying a lathe is the start of things. But din't be frightened, you don't have to equip a workshop in the first week. You acquire things as and when you need them.

(Like buying a car, where you need to budget for fuel and servicing ) You will need to buy cutting tools, if only a couple.

Measuring instrument A cheap digital calliper will ,cost you about £10 An high quality none, possibly £80.

Before too long, not necessarily, but you may feel the need for some accessories (A four jaw chuck springs to mind, which is likely to lead to a Dial Test Indicator and a Magnetic Base )

FWIW, it is likely that as you gain experience, you will want /need a larger lathe. So buy one that is a little larger than you think you will,need. It might turn out to be cheaper and less fraught in the longer term.

Above all, do not rush either in the purchase (Try to get face to face advice if possible )

HTH

Howard

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Some random thoughts...I am retired and decided to do somthing completely different for a change, now I regret not starting many years ago. By doing a course you be off in a more structural way more quickly & books etc, but in the mean time you may think about a few random things....

When I started with a lathe, I looked to videos to see the work atmosphere, how they talk about the lathe sections etc you use to make a part, how you sharpen HSS tools basic, cutting fluid use, lathe safety. I did this for about 3 years. I have seen different approuches, braveries, systematic approuches etc.

Then the big problem, which lathe to buy-? Can I move & handle it alone, or dependant on others-?
-How large is the hole through the spindle for long stock, are you limited to which dimentions-?
-Cutting treads and changed gears-?

-What happens to the accuracy of the lathe bed if I bolt it down to anything-?

-Which toolpost-?

-After I bought the lathe, for sfety reasons I made a place for my lathe chuck key with a switch, if not in position the lathe is tripped and cannot run. I never regretted this move.

-Have respect for spacial awareness, meaning can something run accidently into something else if moved where, this can catch you out. Be carefull when using auto feed, you may have changed something within you original vision of whats coming,......can it accidently catch you out-? was the tailstock locked and in the way-? Has a toolbit or topslide position changed, and catch you out.....?

-Never rush into a job, take time too understand your moves, slow in the beginning then faster later on.

-How heavy cut should you take for your lathe-?

-Rough cuts...
-Final cuts..To get to your final dimention.

-Positioning of the tool height-?

-Backlash....? DRO's & measurements

-Parting off......? Speed type pf tools.

-Lathe height, not to strain your back. (I got advice about this, and not regretted it)

-Lathe lighting to see better-?

-You keep on learning in circles as time goes on.

-What is the smallest part you can make-? The smallest part I had to make was an oiler insert for the lathe I bought.
-What is the largest part you can make-? THe largest part I made was a steering wheel to crank the lathe manually if I need to do that, I have seen other do this .

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