Alex D
Member
I am getting ready to plunge into the kitless realm and and taking a hybrid approach. I don't have a metal lathe, but I have a nice old Delta 12 inch wood lathe from the 40's and I was just able to pick up the compound cross slide that was an option on these lathes back in the day. I know I am not going to be able to do much, if any, metal working (at least not anything beyond brass and aluminum), but it should be able to handle plastic pens without any problems.
In essence, I will be turning on a wood lathe, but using the cross slide to help with accuracy.
So....being new to the world of metal tooling, I could use some advice on where to start. My slide comes with a rocker/lantern tool post. Eventually I may want to switch to a QCTP, but for now, I'd like to stick with what I have.
I think the only operations I will be doing with the slide are facing, external sizing and possibly boring.
With that, any tips on where to start? I've seen straight holders, left holders, right holders, boring bars, you name it and frankly I just need some help with the bare bones of which toolholders and cutting tools I need to get off the ground.
I looked around and did some research and searching and could not come up with the answer for this. Plenty of info on taps and dies, but nothing this basic!
Thanks,
Alex
In essence, I will be turning on a wood lathe, but using the cross slide to help with accuracy.
So....being new to the world of metal tooling, I could use some advice on where to start. My slide comes with a rocker/lantern tool post. Eventually I may want to switch to a QCTP, but for now, I'd like to stick with what I have.
I think the only operations I will be doing with the slide are facing, external sizing and possibly boring.
With that, any tips on where to start? I've seen straight holders, left holders, right holders, boring bars, you name it and frankly I just need some help with the bare bones of which toolholders and cutting tools I need to get off the ground.
I looked around and did some research and searching and could not come up with the answer for this. Plenty of info on taps and dies, but nothing this basic!
Thanks,
Alex