By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Building a miniature universal lathe

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
1 2 Next > Last >>
ViKARLL27/10/2011 03:51:54
13 forum posts
Hi,

After reading for months on pros and cons, I am rapidly failing to resist the urge to build a homemade small lathe.

Could anyone please advise me where I could download the digital version of “Building a miniature universal lathe" published in ME from issue 4159 to issue 4179 (published during 2001 to 2002)?
Thanking you with best regards,

ViKARLL

Springbok27/10/2011 04:46:11
avatar
879 forum posts
34 photos
Hi
I am sure that I have these in my archives if David (Editor)
will allow I can photocopy and email them to you
 
Bob
ViKARLL27/10/2011 05:11:54
13 forum posts
Many thanks Bob, for you prompt response and kind offer.

You are a guardian angel if you can do that
 
 
David, is this OK?
V8Eng27/10/2011 19:28:29
1826 forum posts
1 photos
Hi.
 
I have a book called "Building a Small Lathe" by L C Mason, this describes building a 1 3/4" centre height machine.
It was published in 1977, but I think TEE publishing supply a reprint.
 
Might be worth checking whether it would help you.
 
 
 
Ian S C28/10/2011 11:25:20
avatar
7468 forum posts
230 photos
My book is "Small Lathes Making and Using" The "Amateur Mechanic & work" hand book. Dated 1920. Theres also a "Popular mechanics" book of similar vintage. I tend to buy books on old machinery ( and some very old).
Aparently, back before the War it was not difficult to get castings for most of the lathe, including the bed, headstock etc. Ian S C
ViKARLL14/11/2011 02:49:27
13 forum posts
Hi Ian,
 
I saw your book "Small Lathes Making and Using" listed in eBay.
 
Is this an instructional book that gives step by step guide to build a small lathe? Does it use stock parts or castings?
 
Please advice.
 
I have also taken V8Eng's clue and looking at the L.C. Mason option.
 
But so far no luck with what I originally wanted, “Building a miniature universal lathe" by ME itself.
 
Thank you,
John McNamara14/11/2011 03:59:01
avatar
1377 forum posts
133 photos
Hi Vikarll
 
If you are contemplating building a lathe, that can cut threads you will need to make gearing, also for automatic feed more gearing.
 
You may wish to consider CNC as an option. Gearing is not required for screw cutting or feeding using CNC (It is done mathematically by the CNC software), apart from an initial reduction stage between the motor(s) and the machine. CNC will allow almost any thread pitch to be cut.
 
If you have the equipment to hand to make the gears then no problem. If however you have to purchase them on the open market then you may find that the cost of CNC is comparable
 
CNC has become significantly less expensive over the past couple of years
 
You may wish to Google Artsoft Mach3 or the open source program EMC2 and browse through the forums. Both have excellent support via the net from thousands of users.
 
On the other hand if you wish to build a traditional lathe then enjoy your journey.
 
Cheers
John
 
 
 
 
Springbok14/11/2011 07:43:19
avatar
879 forum posts
34 photos
Hi
Apologies for delay will hopefuly PM you them this week
 
Bob
ViKARLL14/11/2011 08:58:37
13 forum posts
Many thanks Bob. I am really grateful if you can do that.
 
John, I am an ICT Engineer by profession with a background in Electronics, so for a change I wanted to go pure mechanical on this.
 
But as you say; having to make gear trains, yet them not being compatible with any thread etc, bothers me enough. Perhaps I may plan for the essential hardware with a provision to incorporate a couple of stepper motors in case I realise halfway, that I am not 'geared' for gears....
Les Jones 114/11/2011 09:36:37
2292 forum posts
159 photos
Hi Vikarll,
A solution which is part way to CNC would be the electronic leadscrew.
Here is a link to the electronic leadscrew website Electronic Leadscrew
 
Les.
Ian S C14/11/2011 10:55:53
avatar
7468 forum posts
230 photos
Vikarll, like most publications back then it pretty much leaves it up to the builder on the finer points of building, anyone builing would be expected to know a bit about what is required.Ian S C
John McNamara14/11/2011 12:29:54
avatar
1377 forum posts
133 photos
Hi Vikarll
 
I have tried to simplify this a bit for members that are new to CNC.
 
Steppers.....These days I think not. A step and direction based controller yes. To explain; there are lots of controllers from quite a number of suppliers available for DC Brush (Less expensive) or AC brushless servo motors (More expensive) with a position feedback encoder built in, they accept the same step and direction signal from the CNC software. The controller then takes over and makes the move.
 
This means that you can use Mach 3 or EMC2 or other CNC software (that outputs step and direction signals) to the servo and leave the servo to make the move.
 
Steppers can "loose" steps if they encounter a force a bit larger than their holding torque causing an error (lost motion) in the part. They are an open loop control without feedback...the control system is not aware of lost steps.
 
Having position feedback to the Servo controller (Hardware) Via the encoder (on the servo motor) guarantees the position move (instructed by the PC based CNC software) has been done correctly or an error is triggered.
 
In the past servos were quite expensive? This is no longer the case.
 
I am researching this very issue for myself at the moment for my next project, the XY axis will be driven by DC Servos and brushed motors. I do plan to use two small steppers for a light duty positioning mechanism.
 
happy Googling
 
Cheers
John
 
 
 
 
ViKARLL14/11/2011 15:38:06
13 forum posts
Thanks Ian, fair enough. No matter how descriptive a book is, you have to customize the design to your own scope, I guess.
 
John, very interesting; little I knew how close to home the servos have reached. I want to go the conventional path (meaning mechanical) but shall give the alternatives a shot if
-or rather when- I get stuck! Hope you will keep us posted somewhere on your progress with the next project. Good luck!!
Billy Mills14/11/2011 16:06:44
377 forum posts
Have a look on lathes.co.uk for "multimachine"  under home built lathes. This is one of the most interesting articles that I have seen for years.
 
Billy.

Edited By Billy Mills on 14/11/2011 16:43:53

Stub Mandrel14/11/2011 19:59:15
avatar
4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
Hi Vikarll,
 
As electronics and microcontrolers are teh 'other half' of my hobiies I can understand the urge to keep the mechanics and the electrics separate; it's a different set of challenges. Cutting gears is surprisingly easy, but even if you buy your gears the leadscrew should present no terrors. If your late is small you could use rolled M6 studding as a leadscrew with satisfactory results - the 1mm pitch would be accurate enough to make other metric pitches from using simple gear ratios.
 
Neil
Terryd15/11/2011 07:44:22
avatar
1946 forum posts
179 photos
Hi ViKARLL,
 
Although not exactly what you need, You may find some inspiration for ideas here and here. If you have heard of the 'Gingery' self build machines you might like to look in on the Gingery Lathe Yahoo forum here. There are certainly plenty of inspirational ideas there. It may help some.
 
Best regards
 
Terry

Edited By Terryd on 15/11/2011 07:45:32

ViKARLL15/11/2011 09:55:49
13 forum posts
Yes Terry, I got a lot of inspiration out of the Gingery book. Especially his style of presentation. But the casting part is a problem to me.
 
I think Billy is referring to the open source project based on Lucian Yeomans concrete lathe. But I am aiming at a 7 X 12 kind of a machine and felt this design may not be suitable for such small stuff.
 
But why I am so keen about the ME's "miniature universal lathe" is because I knew of someone who made a scaled-up version of it and used for many years. Unfortunately, both the man and machine are nonexsistant now but only the memory....
Terryd15/11/2011 10:29:11
avatar
1946 forum posts
179 photos
Hi Vikarll,
 
Do you have the reference of the ME articles, My local library has archives of ME back to 1944 and I could get copies of the articles for you if you have difficulty elsewhere.
 
I just noticed your initial posting again, if you still need these articles I could scan them for you if you aren't able to get them elsewhere.
 
Regards
 
Terry
Peter G. Shaw15/11/2011 13:07:38
avatar
1531 forum posts
44 photos
As V8ENG has said, the book by Len Mason includes all the detailed instructions, including the order in which to do it, and how to align it, for a small screwcutting lathe. It is an old book, but may be available through your library. Depending on your view, the biggest problem may be that it is an imperial design and uses a lot of BA screws.
 
You will, of course, need a lathe to make it, or at least access to one.
 
Regards,
 
Peter G. Shaw
 
 
 
ViKARLL15/11/2011 15:05:12
13 forum posts
Many thanks Terry, for your kind support.
 
Bob (Springbok) who has replied above has indicated that he will send me some scanned copies of the mag from his archive this week.
 
If he finds any difficulty, I will seek your help to get it.
 
BTW in my locality, this hobby is only among a niche so the sources available for such material is practically nil.
 
Regards,
1 2 Next > Last >>

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Shopping Partners
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate