ISO Assistance w/ Metal Lathe

[PENfinity]

So I bought a metal lathe from Grizzly about a year ago and since then it's just been a dust collecting paperweight b/c I haven't any idea how to use it! Is there anyone in the VA/757 area who has any experience and can assist me? It can be in person or virtual.

 

[gimpy]

So I bought a metal lathe from Grizzly about a year ago and since then it's just been a dust collecting paperweight b/c I haven't any idea how to use it! Is there anyone in the VA/757 area who has any experience and can assist me? It can be in person or virtual.

I live in pa, I went to a trade school for three years during high school many years ago
May i suggest you attempt to find one in your area
It isn't something that you learn overnight
I don't recommend using it for woodworking

 

[PENfinity]

I live in pa, I went to a trade school for three years during high school many years ago
May i suggest you attempt to find one in your area
It isn't something that you learn overnight
I don't recommend using it for woodworking

I appreciate that but I'm interested in using it for metal and acrylic working and not expecting to learn it overnight. I'm willing to take my time to continue to perfect my craft.

 

[magpens]

I appreciate that but I'm interested in using it for metal and acrylic working and not expecting to learn it overnight. I'm willing to take my time to continue to perfect my craft.

@PENfinity

There are quite a few IAP members who use a metal-working lathe. I have turned 2500 pens on one over the last 15 years and displayed some of my work here. I have turned wood and acrylic pens mainly, but also some pens with aluminum and brass portions.

I suggest that you make a start by learning to mount a standard pen blank on your lathe and then turning it to a round cylindrical shape.
It can be wood or acrylic. Hopefully your lathe has variable speed (VS) control. Starting to learn will be at very low well-controlled speed.

For the turning tool I strongly suggest that you use a round carbide-tipped tool. Many tool stores stock these in suitable sizes.

First, though, you should tell us more about your lathe and show a couple of pictures. We need to know the lathe size and a few other details about your chuck, tailstock and banjo/tool rest combo. The banjo/tool rest details will guide us as to what size of tool you should buy.

As accessories for turning pens on the lathe, I suggest you have a 4-jaw scroll chuck, a dead center, and a live center suitable for the lathe.
You will also need a Jacobs chuck matched to your tailstock taper size (Morse taper 2, perhaps) for drilling axial holes in your pen blanks.
Before anyone can make more specific suggestions, though, you need to tell/show us some details about your lathe.

Obviously, since you Iive 3000+ miles from me, we cannot meet in person. There should be someone nearer you with whom you could meet.
But since you say that virtual assistance is a possibility then that is certainly available from quite a few people on IAP, including myself.

Have you any experience using a wood-turning lathe ? Just the matter of dealing safely with spinning objects would be a good start.
None of us who is chatting with you on this forum can assume any responsibility for your safety.
There should be folks at your local tool stores who can advise you about personal safety precautions and the necessary safety equipment.

BTW, what is the meaning of the "ISO" that you include in the title of your thread(s).

 

[magpens]

Perhaps this is the lathe you bought . . . . ?

6" x 10" Mini Metal Lathe - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>M1015 Shop Fox 6" x 10" Mini Metal Lathe</h1> <h2>A lathe for the mini machine shop enthusiast.</h2> <p>The M1015 6" x 10" Mini Metal Lathe from Shop Fox is the perfect lathe for someone who wants a durable and well-designed machine that can fit in a small location.</p> <p>This mini lathe...

www.grizzly.com

 

[rherrell]

This woman made a video series for metal lathe beginners, watch it, all of it. When you've finished watching all the videos you'll have a basic understanding of what it takes, THEN you can go out and put what you've learned into practice.

Feel free to PM me if you're having a problem with anything.

 

[Oliver X]

You might want to start with picking up a book or two. Southbend Lathes put out a book called "How to run a lathe" about seventy or eighty years ago and it's still perfectly relevant. Basic lathe work is pretty simple and plastic is quite forgiving. Once you have a handle on how to operate it safely, it may be easiest to just mess around and practice.

 

[hooked]

I got a metal lathe for Christmas, and between the blondihacks (Quinn) 22 part intro series Rick links above and Frank Hoose's youtube series on the mini lathe, I am finding that my learning curve has been shortened a great deal. My bank account suffers from all the required tooling, but it helps to know what to buy, how to use those accessories that you buy, and what is not needed. Blondihacks does a great job with this in her tutorials, and she is a fantastic teacher that is easy to understand.

The number one thing I found most helpful beyond the videos, required chucks, cutters, and lubricants is a dial indicator with a very good magnetic base. This is vital from the start to get good results out of your lathe.

@PENfinity

BTW, what is the meaning of the "ISO" that you include in the title of your thread(s).

In Search Of....

 

[its_virgil]

BTW, what is the meaning of the "ISO" that you include in the title of your thread(s).

Mal,
ISO = In Search Of

Don

 

[PENfinity]

Thanks to ALL for your input and time. Apologies for leaving out relevant info but I was trying to first find someone/anyone who would be willing to be a one-on-one instructor. I have been turning for 2 years now so I'm pretty familiar with wood/midi lathes; (although 2 years isn't a lot in comparison to many of the pros in this group). While I feel I have a pretty good grasp with the "basics" of turning I am still desiring to learn even more in order to expound upon what I already know and to create growth. This is my reason for reaching out In Search Of (ISO) assistance with the metal lathe. Being new to the world of pen turning I have not (yet) found anyone/anywhere locally to provide info regarding metal lathes as most local pen turners are using wood/midi lathes. I've included pics of the metal lathe that I have which includes most of the accessories for turning pens on the lathe, like a 4-jaw scroll chuck, a dead center, and a live center suitable for the lathe. I already have a Jacobs chuck matched to my tailstock taper size (Morse taper 2, perhaps) for drilling axial holes in my pen blanks. https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-8-x-16-variable-speed-combination-lathe-mill/g0769

 

[PENfinity]

Perhaps this is the lathe you bought . . . . ?

6" x 10" Mini Metal Lathe - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>M1015 Shop Fox 6" x 10" Mini Metal Lathe</h1> <h2>A lathe for the mini machine shop enthusiast.</h2> <p>The M1015 6" x 10" Mini Metal Lathe from Shop Fox is the perfect lathe for someone who wants a durable and well-designed machine that can fit in a small location.</p> <p>This mini lathe...

www.grizzly.com

View attachment 348229

Hi unfortunately this was not the metal lathe I purchased. Instead I bought this: https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-8-x-16-variable-speed-combination-lathe-mill/g0769

 

[PENfinity]

I got a metal lathe for Christmas, and between the blondihacks (Quinn) 22 part intro series Rick links above and Frank Hoose's youtube series on the mini lathe, I am finding that my learning curve has been shortened a great deal. My bank account suffers from all the required tooling, but it helps to know what to buy, how to use those accessories that you buy, and what is not needed. Blondihacks does a great job with this in her tutorials, and she is a fantastic teacher that is easy to understand.

The number one thing I found most helpful beyond the videos, required chucks, cutters, and lubricants is a dial indicator with a very good magnetic base. This is vital from the start to get good results out of your lathe.



In Search Of....

Hello Hooked. I've just heard about a dial indicator so I'm going to look into it to find out more info. Anything more you can add please feel free to share! Thanks!

 

[PENfinity]

This woman made a video series for metal lathe beginners, watch it, all of it. When you've finished watching all the videos you'll have a basic understanding of what it takes, THEN you can go out and put what you've learned into practice.

Feel free to PM me if you're having a problem with anything.

Thank you so much! I will definitely check out the video! I really appreciate your offer to DM you if needed. Thanks!

 

[hooked]

Hello Hooked. I've just heard about a dial indicator so I'm going to look into it to find out more info. Anything more you can add please feel free to share! Thanks!

This video does a great job of explaining indicators. I went with the Noga magnetic base in the video, and it is very easy to adjust.

 

[magpens]

Hello Hooked. I've just heard about a dial indicator so I'm going to look into it to find out more info. Anything more you can add please feel free to share! Thanks!

Another thing that you should have is a "digital caliper" for measuring the diameter of the thing you are turning.

Yes, you can use the bushings appropriate to the pen kit as a guide when you are turning, and that's what they are meant for.

But ultimately you want the diameter of your turned piece to match the diameter of the bushing, and it is often easier (and more accurate)
to actually measure with the caliper. The bushing diameter is made to match a specific part of the pen kit that you are working with.
So the bushing is an "intermediary" for getting the right size. Direct measurement of the part and the material you are turning is better.

The digital caliper is a metal tool that will measure up to 4" diameter. It will cost around $25. Some models measure up to 6".

 

[magpens]

Thanks for showing pictures of your lathe.
I note that it is a combination of lathe and milling machine.
For pen turning, the lathe is the main requirement.
The milling machine can be useful also for producing parts of a required thickness. But there are work-arounds for achieving that without a mill.

It is good that you already have a 4-jaw scroll chuck, a dead center, a live center, and a Jacobs chuck to fit your tailstock.
It is also good that your tailstock has a Morse Taper 2 (MT2). MT2 accessories are more readily available and are more accurate than MT1 for tailstock purposes. (Your headstock probably has an internal taper of MT3, but you rarely . . if ever . . encounter a need to make use of that.)

It would be good if you also have a second set of jaws for your 4-jaw scroll chuck . . . a set which has the jaw size steps largest at the center (opposite to what your picture shows). This second set is much more useful for turning pens because you are always working close to center axis.

 

[magpens]

Cutting tool . . . .

I see that Grizzly offers this set of 20 pcs :-

DO NOT BUY THIS SET for the purpose of make pens. You won't use all those tool bits . . . in fact you might never use any of them for pens.

I recommend buying one 3/8" tool bit with a replaceable ROUND carbide cutter tip (screwed on) of about 1/2" diameter
Your tool store should be able to help you.
Make sure your tool bit is mounted securely in the lathe tool holder at a height such that the edge of the round cutter tip is accurately at the height of the rotational axis of the lathe. Also, the tool bit should be very close to horizontal.

The round cutter is very nice because, as it becomes worn with use, you can rotate it to a fresh cutting edge.
Also, you can easily clean/polish its top surface by removing it, turning it upside down on a piece of fine emory paper, and rubbing it lightly.

The round cutters (about $8 each) are shown here and you need to buy an appropriate (3/8") holder with securing screw ($15) :-

 

[PENfinity]

Another thing that you should have is a "digital caliper" for measuring the diameter of the thing you are turning.

Yes, you can use the bushings appropriate to the pen kit as a guide when you are turning, and that's what they are meant for.

But ultimately you want the diameter of your turned piece to match the diameter of the bushing, and it is often easier (and more accurate)
to actually measure with the caliper. The bushing diameter is made to match a specific part of the pen kit that you are working with.
So the bushing is an "intermediary" for getting the right size. Direct measurement of the part and the material you are turning is better.

The digital caliper is a metal tool that will measure up to 4" diameter. It will cost around $25. Some models measure up to 6".

Yes I do have that. I have 2 digital calipers.

 

[PENfinity]

Yep

Cutting tool . . . .

I see that Grizzly offers this set of 20 pcs :-

View attachment 348239

DO NOT BUY THIS SET for the purpose of make pens. You won't use all those tool bits . . . in fact you might never use any of them for pens.

I recommend buying one 3/8" tool bit with a replaceable ROUND carbide cutter tip (screwed on) of about 1/2" diameter
Your tool store should be able to help you.
Make sure your tool bit is mounted securely in the lathe tool holder at a height such that the edge of the round cutter tip is accurately at the height of the rotational axis of the lathe. Also, the tool bit should be very close to horizontal.

The round cutter is very nice because, as it becomes worn with use, you can rotate it to a fresh cutting edge.
Also, you can easily clean/polish its top surface by removing it, turning it upside down on a piece of fine emory paper, and rubbing it lightly.

The round cutters (about $8 each) are shown here and you need to buy an appropriate (3/8") holder with securing screw ($15) :-
View attachment 348240

Yep the carbide tools are all that I use and I love them.

 

[magpens]

So I bought a metal lathe from Grizzly about a year ago and since then it's just been a dust collecting paperweight b/c I haven't any idea how to use it! Is there anyone in the VA/757 area who has any experience and can assist me? It can be in person or virtual.

Yep

Yep the carbide tools are all that I use and I love them.

So you have already done some turning (wood lathe ?), in spite of saying "I haven't any idea how to use it" (metal lathe ?)

It's good to know these things ! ! ! I can spare a few words now ! !

 

[PENfinity]

So you have already done some turning (wood lathe ?), in spite of saying "I haven't any idea how to use it" (metal lathe ?)

It's good to know these things ! ! ! I can spare a few words now ! !

Yes I stated that I've been turning for 2 years but it's only been on wood/midi lathes. I have not used a metal lathe so that is what I have no experience with whatsoever.

 

[magpens]

. . . . I've been turning for 2 years . . . .

I think I must have missed that . . . but I see it now in Post #10

 

[PENfinity]

I think I must have missed that . . . but I see it now in Post #10

No worries. I sincerely appreciate your input. Thank you.

 

[Smokey S]

Just a thought, if you have vocational school in you area, they just might just offer a class. Our local college does, although our area is loaded with refineries, chemical plants and the oilfield. Also we have aavailable the Craft Traing Center that is part of the local ABC Chapter that offers a wide variety of craft training. Another possiblit's that might work is get on social media looking for a retired machinist that would probably Be more than happy to help teach someone. Just a few thoughts out of the box. By all means, safety first, the hazards are for real and unforgiving. I wish you the best at expanding your horizons. Just saying………S

 

[PENfinity]

Just a thought, if you have vocational school in you area, they just might just offer a class. Our local college does, although our area is loaded with refineries, chemical plants and the oilfield. Also we have aavailable the Craft Traing Center that is part of the local ABC Chapter that offers a wide variety of craft training. Another possiblit's that might work is get on social media looking for a retired machinist that would probably Be more than happy to help teach someone. Just a few thoughts out of the box. By all means, safety first, the hazards are for real and unforgiving. I wish you the best at expanding your horizons. Just saying………S

Thank you for the input!