What will 2 pens buy you?

[TXPhi67]

How about a Sherline 4000 lathe? Hehehehehe

Just got the lathe today and have my work cut out for me. It needs some TLC and is missing a good portion of the parts.

The bed is mounted on a solid mount and has two plexiglass protective covers on it. Motor and Headstock look to be in good condition and it looks like it may have an automatic feed.

But, its missing pretty much everything else. I've looked on eBay and see some of the items I think I need. But this is my first metal lathe of any kind. So, if any of you with the experience feel so inclined - I would love all the advice you are willing to give.

My goal is to use it to turn some items specifically for pen turning. This includes bushings as well as possibly some pen parts. I have a few other plans for its use kicking around in my head, but I need to start somewhere.

I downloaded and just finished printing what is labeled as the lathe user manual and will be going over it shortly as well.

But beyond that - not sure what exactly to do after cleaning the lathe.

Any suggestions where I can find parts (used is just fine), instructions, suggestions, etc?

Take care all,

 

[skiprat]

Sounds good for a couple of pens. Good luck getting the parts though.
What's missing? Does it have Tailstock, Toolpost or any other major parts.
Bits like chucks, centres and tools are readily available though.
I'd go direct to Sherline for any major parts though as you could wait years to find them on flea bay.

 

[TXPhi67]

Now that I have had some time to clean it up - it is very nice indeed! Motor works well, I think the headstock may need some lubricating as it stops before the lowest setting of the dial.

Came with a self centering 3 jaw chuck that cleaned up very nice. No bars to open and close, but a quick run at the grinder with some rounded off hex wrenches and I have bars!

Bed only had a light amout of surface rust - so it clean up very nice and the bed that the tool rest bolts to (Gaff?) moves very smoothly now.

It has a tail stock, but the tail stock is missing some parts. Not sure yet exactly what the deal is. It has a hand wheel on the back part and what looks like a threaded rod that goes almost to the end of the tail stock. I'm guessing that the morse taper insert screwed on to the rod - but its missing. Have a live center with what looks like a MT1 taper, but nothing to put it in.

Also has an automatic feed, but its missing either the converter or the adapter for a plug.

So I know I need some sort of tool holder, the missing parts to the tail stock (or a new tail stock), and hand wheel for the feed at the bare minimum.

What am I missing?

Thanks,

 

[rej19]

Does this help any? Click on the pic to enlarge.

 

[Jim Smith]

Check on Yahoo for a user group. They have several groups that all work on mini lathes or even specific makes/models.

Jim Smith

 

[TXPhi67]

Thanks for the picture! And thanks for the suggestion of looking at Yahoo.

 

[dogcatcher]

There used to be a small metal lathe group in the Dallas area. Kind of a home shop club, you may have to work at it but I bet there are a plenty of Sherline users in your area.

 

[mredburn]

I have a Sherline 4400 if you have any specific questions. The motor will stop before the switch hits the lowest setting theres nothing wrong with your setup. Its an electronic variable speed thing. The best place for used parts is ebay. Also look for parts like chucks under Taig lathes. they both use the 3/4-16 thread on the head stock. Do not get the 4 jaw chuck sold by 800watt on ebay it works but is not accurate at all. The Taig brand wood tool rest set up is much cheaper than Sherline's and will work but you will have to re drill 1 hole to move the dovetail clamping piece forward to fit our lathe bed. If you get the riser kits which I recommend the Taig wood rest will slide Right on to you cross slide. A Qtcp (QUICK CHANGE TOOL POST) is great when you get really going. The Sherline website. Sherline.com has all the diagrams and parts for repairs and replacements as well as user videos you can watch, discountcampus.com sell all there accessories about 5% cheaper than the Sherline Website.
A2Z corp http://www.a2zcorp.us/store/Default.asp?Cguid={715555C4-3542-41E3-830D-E722F43FB1DF} Sells Qtcp set ups, larger Tnuts which work really well and other aftermarket items.

Welcome to the Madness.

 

[TXPhi67]

Thanks Michael!

I found A2Z earlier this morning and have been wading through their site as well as the Sherline site off and on today. Its a bit overwhelming what I "could" get for the lathe and am struggling to figure out what I need instead.

I think I have it paired down to the bare minimum of a Cross Slide Table w/ Handwheel, Tool Post (quick change would be nice), Lead Screw Handwheel, and complete Tail Stock assembly.

There are a few other items that fall right after the above such as dead centers, drive spur, and jacobs chuck or live center dependant upon what I wind up with once I have a replacement Tail Stock.

I've checked out eBay and have found a few items of interest and am watching them. So, we will see.

Thanks for the suggestions and pictures. You have a very nice set up and now have given me a bit of a "goal".

The hardest part for me right now is matching what I see with a part name and a function.

Thanks again!

 

[Gary Max]

I have some of the stuff you are looking for---used extras
Lee Valley is the best place I have found for this stuff.
If you are interested in the items I have give me a call and I will see what all I have.

 

[mredburn]

If you buy a tool post make it a rocker style, dont worry about the dead centers to start go right to the live center first. Get a 3 or 4 jaw scrowling chuck. the ones sherline make are great but the taig will work and are cheaper. I have found the sherline to be a little more precise. The aluminum angle in the front is for a very low tech low cost stop for the cross slide when your cutting shoulders and need to repeat the cuts. I have a Qtcp mounted on top of the compound slide. It lets me make angled cuts without having to remove the tailpost and put on the compound make the angle cut and then redo everything back to do regulaur turning. They dont come that way from the factory i had to mill the groove in the top of the compound slide myself. The sandpaper is Curtiss Seebecks tip on gluing strips together with wood glue and then I used office clips to hang them in order of grit. The top row are the Qtcp holders with the bits i use hung on a dovetailed piec of wood cut on the saw chopped into 1in lengths and glued stapled to the top shelf area. Get a set of cheap carbide cutters to start and a few high speed steel ones off ebay etc. The 3 or 4 jaw chuck and a live center will let you do most of the work you wil need to start. If I can be of further assitance pm me.