I have just purchased a Boxford Lathe

[Hopefuldave]

Spiral flute taps are good for tapping under power if you're so inclined, I often do it for larger threads - the swarf follows the flutes and they don't clog up.

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[123hotchef]

Spiral flute taps are good for tapping under power if you're so inclined, I often do it for larger threads - the swarf follows the flutes and they don't clog up.

Dave H. (the other one)

i think i will do it by hand one end needs to be left hand any way

 

[addjunkie]

Just do it by hand, use a chuck key to help you pull the chuck round, same as by hand, 1 turn in 1/2 back to break the swarf

 

[Brad93]

I start the tap by hand then use the lathe to Power it in. You need a spiral tap for power tapping really

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Spiral point for through holes and spiral flute for blind. I usually start it off using a centre and then on soow speed hold the tap wrench until desired depth, then let the tap wrench go. Just be careful that there is enough swing for tap wrench.

 

[Seadog]

so you do not use the lathe motor at all

I usually do, but whilst learning it's best to do it by hand

It becomes a lot easier once you have a 3-phase motor and VFD. But that's for a future episode.

 

[123hotchef]

I usually do, but whilst learning it's best to do it by hand

It becomes a lot easier once you have a 3-phase motor and VFD. But that's for a future episode.

the VFD and 3 phase is on the wish list! I had to walk back up to the house yesterday to reset the RCD I cant be doing that often

 

[123hotchef]

probably easier to do it in the vice with my tap wrench TBH as I cant get the swing on my wrench over the bed, I could put the tap in the tail stock I guess and turn the chuck by hand but that seems like harder work

 

[123hotchef]

@Seadog Is there suppose to be a plastic bush in here

 

[123hotchef]

I usually do, but whilst learning it's best to do it by hand

It becomes a lot easier once you have a 3-phase motor and VFD. But that's for a future episode.

can you run yours in reverse too? of would the chuck spin off?

 

[Seadog]

@Seadog Is there suppose to be a plastic bush in here

No, Lee, it's just a plain cast iron cap. There's nothing to stop you putting a thrust washer in there if you have too much backlash.
Mine does run in reverse, invaluable when threading a metric pitch.
You'd only unscrew the chuck if you start it in reverse at high revs, with a fast ramp up speed, or stop it from high speed with a fast ramp down (if on an inverter), or you try to take hefty cuts in reverse. There is a modification you can do to provide positive clamping of the chuck but I've not yet tried it.

 

[123hotchef]

since using the tail stock I have had lots of plastic coils coming out of the gap, there is a little backlash I dont suppose it matters right now as long as when i get centers in there they dont move! the only way I would thread LH threads is with it running in reverse

 

[Brad93]

since using the tail stock I have had lots of plastic coils coming out of the gap, there is a little backlash I dont suppose it matters right now as long as when i get centers in there they dont move! the only way I would thread LH threads is with it running in reverse

There has to be some amount of backlash or the leadscrew would jam on the nut.

The amount of crap that came out of my tailstock, it would be worth stripping and cleaning when you have a spare hour or so.

 

[addjunkie]

since using the tail stock I have had lots of plastic coils coming out of the gap, there is a little backlash I dont suppose it matters right now as long as when i get centers in there they dont move! the only way I would thread LH threads is with it running in reverse

There are other ways to cut a left hand thread.

 

[123hotchef]

cool thanks for that, screw cutting might be a bit beyond my capabilities right now

 

[Seadog]

since using the tail stock I have had lots of plastic coils coming out of the gap, there is a little backlash I dont suppose it matters right now as long as when i get centers in there they dont move!

Someone has bodged it then. Take it apart as suggested.

 

[123hotchef]

Someone has bodged it then. Take it apart as suggested.

All fixed. The scoring around the handle shaft don't help

 

[123hotchef]

I snapped a drill bit in a piece of work today. Lesson learned don't use cheap rolled Jobber drill bits on the lathe. Would you throw the work away and start again. It's a mission to drill the broken drill bit out.

 

[Seadog]

If you've a decent carbide drill and you can mount everything rigidly you'll probably be OK. What's to lose? Apart from a carbide drill, that is

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Is there already a through hole.