Interested in a Metal Lathe Forum?

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Interested in a Metal Lathe Forum at IAP?

  • YES

    Votes: 147 87.0%

  • NO

    Votes: 22 13.0%
  • Total voters
    169
  • Poll closed .
At the present I have a Grizzly 7 X 12 lathe. The pens I have turned on it were strickly learn as I go. I have used a metal lathe off and on for the past 50 years, but had never turned pens on one. I think a metal lathe forum would be great and will look forward to learn more about pen turning on a metal lathe.

Ben
 
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Count me in also, do not have a metal turning lathe and do not know how to use one but would love to learn so when I do get one I would have some kind of an idea how it works. Robbie
 
Good idea, I don't use my metal lathe for turning pens but do use it to make tools and jigs and fixtures to make pens. I have a milling machine that also comes in handy for certian projects.
 
If you are going to have a metal lathe forum, don't forget the cnc forum too! I'm not too shabby with my metal lathe, the cnc is the one with the most questions. Right now my cnc is flooded with coolant on the table and I have no idea what to do about cleaning that up. Might sound silly to some, but not to me.
 
Master Machinist

jeff said:
Do you now use or plan to someday use a metal lathe for penmaking?

We are looking into the possibility of adding a "Metal Lathes in Penmaking" forum where members can discuss like minded issues that go beyond "which lathe is the best to buy?".

Discussions might focus on such topics as; "which indexable cutters work well for acrylics and ebonite?"; Cutoff blades - which to avoid and which to use!"; "Handy tips and gadgets for penturning"; "How to setup for taper turning"; etc.

If such a forum were created here, do you see yourself being a participant either as one looking to learn or as one willing to share your expertise?"

Poll results will be revealed in a week.

Please feel free to add your comments below.
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Yes, great idea. I am a retired Master Machinist with over 40 years of experience ( turning / milling manual and CNC) ,will others to learn.

Norbert

Kent Lake Pens & Pencils
 
I think it would be a good thing ...

I bought one for making reel seats/pens and after finding that it would have a 6º taper in 4" I set it aside and got a wood lathe.

This might encourage me to blow the dust off my 7 x 12 and finish the lapping so I can actually use this boat anchor.
 
1+ Absolutely

I use a 7x12 exclusively for ALL my pen turning and blank making. I have 2 mini metal lathes. I also have a 12" jet wood lathe (I use for bowls & things) for me it would be very awkward to do my pen work on the wood lathe. There are so many advantages to a mini 7x12 or 14 (not the 10"). Complete variable speed 0-2400 with a twist of a knob reversible with a flip of a switch. You put it on a work bench and sit to turn your work. Use it like a metal lathe you can get or make a rest and use it like a wood lathe. You can find them for about $500.00. I couldn't do what I do without a metal lathe.

There are a few good things to know simple maintenance stuff that would save you headache & $$ latter especially with the control board. But we'll save that for the new forum.

:good:Great Idea:good:
.
 
RHossack said:
I think it would be a good thing ...

I bought one for making reel seats/pens and after finding that it would have a 6º taper in 4" I set it aside and got a wood lathe.

This might encourage me to blow the dust off my 7 x 12 and finish the lapping so I can actually use this boat anchor.
Click to expand...

needs headstock alignment, tailstock alignment if turning between centers or better leveling. Pretty simple to check and correct, just takes a little time. give me a call or pm and ill help with getting started.
 
bruce119 said:
1+ Absolutely

I use a 7x12 exclusively for ALL my pen turning and blank making. I have 2 mini metal lathes. I also have a 12" jet wood lathe (I use for bowls & things) for me it would be very awkward to do my pen work on the wood lathe. There are so many advantages to a mini 7x12 or 14 (not the 10"). Complete variable speed 0-2400 with a twist of a knob reversible with a flip of a switch. You put it on a work bench and sit to turn your work. Use it like a metal lathe you can get or make a rest and use it like a wood lathe. You can find them for about $500.00. I couldn't do what I do without a metal lathe.

There are a few good things to know simple maintenance stuff that would save you headache & $$ latter especially with the control board. But we'll save that for the new forum.

:good:Great Idea:good:
.
Click to expand...

Why wait?, I think that any thread started in the advanced forum right now pertaining to metal lathes could easily be moved to the metal lathe forum when it's setup. I know I'm going to start a thread right now, I got new tools in last night and have questions! :biggrin:
 
I have a 9" south bend metal lathe I inherited from my grandfather and have never used it. I would love a forum where I could get advice and techniques on using this monster!
 
jeff said:
Do you now use or plan to someday use a metal lathe for penmaking? If such a forum were created here, do you see yourself being a participant either as one looking to learn or as one willing to share your expertise?"
Click to expand...

Very cool that these questions have popped up at this time...

Had a metal lathe for many years and sold it when we moved to a new house about 8 years ago. For this house, bought a nice Nova wood lathe and but have always missed the metal lathe. I'm shopping for one now.

A metal lathe forum would be great -- save me going looking for one elsewhere. So count me for 'yes' for both questions above...

Thanks
Steve
 
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Sharon around WW2 South Bend and Hercus Australia collaborated and Hercus Australia used the South Bend specs to design (read copy) these lathes. I have a 9inch Hercus with access to the URL with the Hercus Handbook of instructions most all of this is applicable to your lathe, mine was made in 1967, Pic enclosed.

Kind regards

Peter.
 

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My basket case is a 9" Hercus. I think they were imported here for the BC high schools in the 1970's. From what I know of them there are many parts and accessories that can be interchanged with the Atlas. Wasn't there also a British made version during the war years too?
 
jeff said:
BRobbins629 said:
The metal lathe has been my go to tool for pen making for at least 4 years now. Not sure we need a dedicated forum, but I still voted yes just to see what happens. Hope in a year or so we will be ready for a CNC forum, a lost wax casting forum, a polymer clay cane making forum, a laser forum and many more. We've come a long way and there's plenty room to grow.
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We could certainly set up the metal lathe forum as a subforum of the advanced penmaking forum. Those other you mention, if and when the need arises for them, would fit right in there as well.
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Sounds like there are a lot of folks starting out or doing all of their pens on metal lathes. Not just advanced folks. I know I am not advanced and am learning on both wood and metal as I go. I for one would be intimidated to post in the advanced pen turning forum. I know I should not be but you folks in that room are gooooood. Me, not so.
 
BRobbins629 said:
South Bend makes a great machine. Been waiting for them to come out with this one which is due late October. Its on my wish list. A little pricey, but someone once told me good meat aint cheap and cheap meat aint good. Same for lathes.

http://grizzly.com/products/South-Bend-8K-8-x-18-Lathe/SB1001
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south bends a great lathes. when i started back in 19?? that is what i first started learning on. the trade school had a large shop with just rows of them. when the talk about this forum started, the south bendis what i pictured in my mind as a small lathe. it is a simple, sturdy and very versatile lathe.

good choice
now wishing i could afford one of those myself. retirement has its drawbacks too.
 
sbwertz said:
I have a 9" south bend metal lathe I inherited from my grandfather and have never used it. I would love a forum where I could get advice and techniques on using this monster!
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Sharon

Many many moons ago, my dad gave me his South Bend #415 lathe. People look at it and always give me a funny look because the motor is mounted on the wall. I never changed the drive, still use leather belts to drive it.

If you want to do some reading about SB Lathes, here are two very good websites

www.wewilliams.net/SBLibrary.htm
www.wswells.com
 
Well, I have to agree with what many have said already...great idea...

...personally don't have a metal lathe yet, but would like to some time in the near future...so if the new forum starts out with 'how to turn the thing on'...that would be great..!!
 
cwolfs69 said:
BRobbins629 said:
South Bend makes a great machine. Been waiting for them to come out with this one which is due late October. Its on my wish list. A little pricey, but someone once told me good meat aint cheap and cheap meat aint good. Same for lathes.

http://grizzly.com/products/South-Bend-8K-8-x-18-Lathe/SB1001
Click to expand...

south bends a great lathes. when i started back in 19?? that is what i first started learning on. the trade school had a large shop with just rows of them. when the talk about this forum started, the south bendis what i pictured in my mind as a small lathe. it is a simple, sturdy and very versatile lathe.

good choice
now wishing i could afford one of those myself. retirement has its drawbacks too.
Click to expand...

This one is huge. It is about 5' long, 3.5' high, 2.5' deep and weighs somewhere around a ton. I tried to find the model number on it, but since it is roughly as old as I am, it is hard to read. Built some time in the 40s.
 
BRobbins629 said:
South Bend makes a great machine. Been waiting for them to come out with this one which is due late October. Its on my wish list. A little pricey, but someone once told me good meat aint cheap and cheap meat aint good. Same for lathes.

http://grizzly.com/products/South-Bend-8K-8-x-18-Lathe/SB1001
Click to expand...


Sweeeeeet!

That's my next lathe if ever I can afford it.

I would love to have a metal lathe/ penmakers forum, so I can take advantage of all the expertise on this board. :biggrin:
 
Count me as a yes. I bought an old Craftsman metal lathe last weekend at an auction. Don't have a clue how to operate it.
 
Well, it looks like we need a metal lathe forum!

I'll get around to setting that up in the next day or so.
 
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