Small Lathes

[James1979]

Today appears to be a day of picking the collective brain....

So, I have a job where I need to make a quantity of brass parts which are all fairly small in size. They are all simple turning jobs but there’s a lot of them. Once I get the tooling set up it’ll be an easy regular number.

I need a small lathe. This stuff is max 350 long 100 diameter but generally will be a lot smaller than that. The main thing is accuracy. It’s not aerospace accuracy but it needs to be decent. Any one got any ideas of lathes to go for / avoid please? Not sure about the Chinese jobs other than on principle I’d rather not.

Plan is to make a turret / capstan for the tooling as it’s the same thing over and over and just dedicate the lathe to it. The other plan is a small cnc machine but no idea what I’d be buying that would suit. I want plug and play not a project!

This would be a long term investment so happy to do it right to start with.

 

[Shox Dr]

An old Ward Capstan would be the first choice, cheap as chips, until you want one that is.

Other than that. m300 with a capstan tailstock, there's a tailstock on ebay on and off, someone cant sell.

Plenty of others. How deep ar your pockets

 

[Arc Tourist]

There is a smallish Hardinge Turret Lathe offered on ebay at the moment. Item number 2336 7745 4692
Price seems a bargain, as they are a top quality machine; but then, like anything used its worth inspecting.

For smaller lathes, a manually operated turret accessory can be used which works off of the lathe's tailstock.
Here are a couple of photos.

 

[Pete.]

That hardinge has twenty tool holders with it. There's half the asking price right there. I'd have it if I had room. They might be a 'small' lathe but they are solid and have a much bigger footprint than you'd think.

You ain't turning 350 long x 100 diameter with any kind of fun factor on one though. That needs a heftier lathe.

 

[James1979]

Thanks gents. That Hardinge would be ideal. Speaking with the client it seems that the overall size is 100x60 for the biggest part but it’s made of sub assemblies all of much smaller size.

only drawback I see is that it’s 3 phase but that’s hopefully a short term problem. Not sure if this would run off an inverter / vfd?

@fizzy would this go on a pallet please? It’s up the road from you? eBay number 233677454692

 

[Robbie260]

Axminster tool use to sell CNC lathes and Mills. Had a quick look on thier website and they aren't listed any more. Would say James a cnc machine dose have the advantage of ounce the programs tweaked to make sure it works you put the part in and leave to it. Let's you do other things while you wait.

 

[James1979]

CNC would be the way forward I think but a manual turret lathe may be better to get going with as it’s one less thing I need to learn.

I use software for the plasma fine but it’s 2D so 3D CNC is a whole other thing to learn....

 

[James1979]

However, if this turns into a regular thing I may look to CNC as I can get someone to operate it more easily than I can teach them to turn to a good standard

 

[Robbie260]

However, if this turns into a regular thing I may look to CNC as I can get someone to operate it more easily than I can teach them to turn to a good standard

Yeah teaching people to turn to spec is hard. Have tried it with a few fitters it never really worked out.

 

[Hood]

Depends on the complexity of the parts but if

CNC would be the way forward I think but a manual turret lathe may be better to get going with as it’s one less thing I need to learn.

I use software for the plasma fine but it’s 2D so 3D CNC is a whole other thing to learn....

You must be planning on a fancy CNC lathe

 

[addjunkie]

If theres lots, and repetetive, sub it out.

 

[Hood]

It would depend on what the parts are like as to whether a good wee capstan or a CNC would be best.
For example if the parts can be made with form tools then a capstan might actually be better but if not then CNC may be better.
Say for example each part takes 30 seconds and can be done with a form tool and stops then you could train someone easily to stand there and do it. If the parts are more complex and can't be done with form tools/stops etc and a bit of attention is required then CNC may be better.
Lots of small parts then a bar feeder, whether CNC lathe or Manual lathe may also be worth considering.

Regarding lathe programming then that's easy when you buy Fusion
Lathes are especially good as you can make a profile up and just draw, move to manufacture, load your profile and more or less produce the code.

 

[Hood]

Here is a vid I did to show how easy it is once you have a profile set up. Drawing, dimensioning, defining toolpaths to simulation in 4 minutes and that was when I first started using Fusion so even quicker now as I was just finding my way around it then, had only had it a few days I think.

 

[Agroshield]

One other small thing to throw into the equation is the stock from which the parts will be turned.

If they are 100mm dia., and you want to use barstock, you need a big spindle bore.

If you are chucking smaller cut-to-length blanks, will they be provided or will you have to bandsaw them from a bar?

If chucking, how much waste is there? Can a parting off operation be the final step or will they need a second setup to machine what was the headstock end of the part?

Is it possible to show sketches of the parts? Rough overall dimensions would do, just to see the shape of them. As Hood says, brass can work well with form tools but you have to see if the tooling cost is justified. A rear toolpost will complement your capstan attachment. You will need reliable cross and lengthwise stops and with brass, some good swarf containment.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Excuse my Numptiness , but shouldn't there be a chuck on that Hardinge? There's no mention made in the description of one.

If it operates other than I think....nothing to see here, move along please.

 

[Hood]

Excuse my Numptiness , but shouldn't there be a chuck on that Hardinge? There's no mention made in the description of one.

If it operates other than I think....nothing to see here, move along please.

It is a collet chuck that is on it.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

It is a collet chuck that is on it.

Thanks I'll go and stand in the corner....

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Today appears to be a day of picking the collective brain....

So, I have a job where I need to make a quantity of brass parts which are all fairly small in size. They are all simple turning jobs but there’s a lot of them. Once I get the tooling set up it’ll be an easy regular number.

I need a small lathe. This stuff is max 350 long 100 diameter but generally will be a lot smaller than that. The main thing is accuracy. It’s not aerospace accuracy but it needs to be decent. Any one got any ideas of lathes to go for / avoid please? Not sure about the Chinese jobs other than on principle I’d rather not.

Plan is to make a turret / capstan for the tooling as it’s the same thing over and over and just dedicate the lathe to it. The other plan is a small cnc machine but no idea what I’d be buying that would suit. I want plug and play not a project!

This would be a long term investment so happy to do it right to start with.

Something like this?

Smart and Brown Model L series 25

Following on from my Model M here http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/smart-and-brown-model-m-mk1.72745/ I aquired a Model L for parts as some are a direct fit on my Model M Inc spindle threads and collets. Its in good shape and can't face selling it in bits so made some room and...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

It needs a new home.

Has capstan TS normal TS
Lever xslide and X/compound slide.

Full set of collets and various chicks/faceplates.

Small footprint but solid.

 

[James1979]

Thanks for all the thoughts. Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been fitting a handbrake to a boat. No, really!

yeah you’re right @Hood, if you break it down a lathe is pretty much a 2D path. Probably simpler than a plasma as there is no z axis!!

That Hardinge would be ideal other than it’s three phase. I like the collet Chuck as it will be quicker for standard size round stock.

I will get pictures up ASAP if some sketches but as it’s all being made from sub assemblies now then I won’t be turning from massive blanks. Cuts down on waste and therefore cost also.

that is nice @eLuSiVeMiTe. I missed out on one here a couple of years back. I need to read the thread but it’s 240v I take it? I’ll send a pm if you’ve a price in mind. I’d rather buy off members here to be honest.

@slim_boy_fat i looked twice at the chuck too! Although it’s got plenty of collets

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

that is nice @eLuSiVeMiTe. I missed out on one here a couple of years back. I need to read the thread but it’s 240v I take it? I’ll send a pm if you’ve a price in mind. I’d rather buy off members here to be honest.

aye. 240v.

its mostly back together but will need tweaking. Stalled project that I've lost passion for.

ID rather it went to a member too tbh. I hate eBay.