April questions---for one day only.

I understand that the centre in the headstock end is a live centre and that in the tailstock is a dead centre. The live centre is soft whereas the dead centre is harder, or if you prefer, stiffer. Is this because rigor-mortis has set in?

One of my lathes claims to be a precision lathe. What modifications do I need to make to do non precision work on it? And is it easy to convert it back to precision should I need to?

Have I been scammed by lathe manufacturers? On the front of my lathes there is what the makers describe as a lead screw. On close inspection I find that this component is in fact made of steel and not lead.

Why is it called a cross slide when it goes backwards and forwards? Nor does it seem any angrier than the rest of the lathe.

This next one affects all of my lathes and so it must be a common problem. If I run the lathes forwards they cut metal off with no problem, BUT if I run them backwards they just will not put metal back on. Do I need to fit the tool upside down or back to front-?

It is the 1st of April

Hang on a minute... these sort of questions sound a bit familiar

Nice one Steven.

Rob

I've got a QCTP on my lathe. Is it necessary to change over to the lantern tool post when machining at night?

Mike

Thank you Steven, put a smile on my face!

Jim

Like most others my lathe has a head stock and a tail stock.

But a word of warning to others - both head stock and tail stock make appalling soup.

Yes Mike, you do need a lantern tool post at night - but don't forget you will also need a matching lantern chuck

Edited By john halfpenny on 01/04/2022 09:15:18

Given the cost of power these days the lantern tool post or better still an original Victorian candle tool post if you can find one could save you a great deal of money.

My drill won't fit into my chuck, the battery and motor stick out too far - what am I doing wrong?

I Diot

Very illuminating Dave, but surely only suitable for light machining.

I thought a lantern tool post was just for light machining.

Not if you use bright steel.

Hot rolled steel is used to keep the workshop warm

Oh give it a rest... steady on!

Free machining steel comes with free electricity vouchers.

Ah! Thats why I had an argument with the stockist over being charged for free machining steel!

And I thought that pig iron always produced curly swarf!

Howard

Nice to get a new angle on these things, but how much is true ?

I think some of it is a bit rough, but maybe thats the drill.

Does steel wool come from hydraulic rams?

Apparently the customs papers for a chap importing hydraulic rams into Zimbabwe were maked "Livestock"

Rob

Seriously, I believe that someone in the far east translated "Hydraulic Ram" as "Water Buffalo"!

Talk about being lost in translation!

Howard