welshwarrior Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Right I've got hold of a Clarke wood turning lathe I'd like to if possible set it up to tune some metal as well. Is it possible to fit a tool post etc to a wood lathe? If so how and what do I need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 What note are you aiming for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 My personally i would say no wrong speed for metal, the force you need to apply to turn metal compared to wood, keeping it cool etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pheasant Feeder Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 I too would say no, as outlined above the speed is an issue, also the strength of the bed compared to a metal lathe is not substantial enough, I think you are likely to experience excessive if not dangerous levels of vibration. In addition to achieve a good surface finish on a metal lathe involves the use of an automatic feed or traverse. The forces excerted on the tool post are quite large. So all in all its a no from me, I'm out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 I've been watching some you tube videos seems quite popular in the states. Add a cross slide and the fit a quick release tool post. May have alook at the cost. I have a watch makers lathe to do strikers etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincs1963 Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 The woodturners of old used to turn metals on their lathes, it is called 'graving' and requires the use of special tools and techniques. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Vector Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 It’s easily done if you have the right lathe to start with. I’ve got a Myford ML8 wood turning lathe but have fitted a compound slide from the ML7 to allow light metal turning. I’ve also modified an ML7 vertical slide to fit on the top slide so I have 3-axis milling capability as well. It’s not perfect because you have limited movement on every axis and it lacks the carriage movement and screw-cutting facilities you’d have on a dedicated metal machine but, for small parts such as strikers and roughing out other components, it’s perfectly adequate. It won’t allow working to very tight tolerances and neither will you get good repeatability but as most gun bits are one-offs it doesn’t matter. The limited range of speeds isn’t really a problem either as with small work pieces and small diameter tools you can get away with higher speeds. I tend to use 700 RPM for everything. Having limited space and finances it’s a good compromise; I can turn both metal and wood with the one machine. It wasn’t expensive as I bought it all second-hand and the quality of the machine is light years ahead of the Chinese mini-lathes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 No, for many reasons this is not worthwhile (especially as its only a Clark). Far better to get the right tool in the first place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Joe Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 I’ve got a Myford ML8 wood turning lathe but have fitted a compound slide from the ML7 to allow light metal turning. I’ve also modified an ML7 vertical slide to fit on the top slide so I have 3-axis milling capability as well. The ML8 is both metal & a wood lathe, you can get a compound slide ready made, along with a host of other attachments. Obviously, not a top end metal lathe, but good enough to make the smaller jobs. The Myford ML8 is a decent lathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted October 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Ok looks like my lathe in exchange for work was not a great deal now. Any recommended a good but not expensive small lathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Ok looks like my lathe in exchange for work was not a great deal now. Any recommended a good but not expensive small lathe. The Axminster ones are OK ............ Axminster powertool centre. There are (old) dual lathes but they are far better kept separate for a whole host of reasons including dust! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted October 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Anyone tried the Draper micro lather looks just about spot on for what I need small metal items and some rough wood work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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