Lathe Speed

[dhallnc]

Is there a rule of thumb for the choosing the correct lathe speed?

Thanks
Darryl

 

[bensoelberg]

Diameter X RPM = 6000 - 9000.

The way I figure it, I divide 7500 by the diameter of your piece and that will tell you the approximate RPMs.

 

[Gary Max]

Yup----if your lathe is jumping up and down you are going to fast.

 

[LEAP]

LOL, Gary you nailed it!!

 

[dhallnc]

Diameter X RPM = 6000 - 9000.

The way I figure it, I divide 7500 by the diameter of your piece and that will tell you the approximate RPMs.

What about a square stock vs round stock, hard wood vs soft wood? does it matter?

 

[Gary Max]

Nope---if the puppy is trying to jump off and bite you-----that's to fast.

 

[dhallnc]

Then so shall it be..thanks.

 

[skiprat]

Is there a rule of thumb for the choosing the correct lathe speed?

Thanks
Darryl

I believe that the only rule of thumb is that there isn't one. :biggrin:
Spindle revs per minute isn't a speed until you replace the revs with a distance ( circumferance ).
The more I learn about turning, the slower and slower I can run my lathes.
If a cutting tool is sharpened and used properly then rpm is almost irrelevant.
Don't believe me??:biggrin: How about a hand plane or even a pencil sharpener??:tongue:

My metal lathe rarely changes from around 400rpm and my wood lathe is set to 850rpm. I chose these 'speeds' because that is the quietest they run and I don't get any noise complaints from SWMBO:biggrin:

 

[aggromere]

That's interesting. Never thought about there being an ideal speed for stuff. Although I will say since I got my metal lathe I have slowed my wood lathe down a good bit. Found that, at least for me, I could put a better CA finish on a pen at slower speeds and am too lazy to change the belt so I started turning slower too.

 

[Gary Max]

Is there a rule of thumb for the choosing the correct lathe speed?

Thanks
Darryl

I believe that the only rule of thumb is that there isn't one. :biggrin:
Spindle revs per minute isn't a speed until you replace the revs with a distance ( circumferance ).
The more I learn about turning, the slower and slower I can run my lathes.
If a cutting tool is sharpened and used properly then rpm is almost irrelevant.
Don't believe me??:biggrin: How about a hand plane or even a pencil sharpener??:tongue:

My metal lathe rarely changes from around 400rpm and my wood lathe is set to 850rpm. I chose these 'speeds' because that is the quietest they run and I don't get any noise complaints from SWMBO:biggrin:

My big lathe has 3 speed ranges and it's never been out of low. I think the biggie is speed compared to balance.

 

[JimB]

Start at the lowest speed. This is the safest. Then your increase speed. The rounder and smaller the piece is (or gets as you turn) the faster you will be able to go. However, just becuase you can go faster does not mean you should.