©By: John T. Blair (WA4OHZ)
1133 Chatmoss Dr., Va. Beach, Va. 23464; (757) 495-8229
Updates: June 25, 2000 Last Update: Feb. 15, 2022 - updated broken links
The following information mostly pertains to Lathes and how to use one. I've assembled the information here from a series of post on the shop-talk mailing list in June of 2000.
I have taken some editorial license in compiling this info and have edited out the unnecessary or non applicable information from the emails.
It all started when Rex Burkheimer wrote:
OK, I bought that old Logan lathe. Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. I have yet to find a suitable book at the library. Can anyone make a recommendation on reading material for a neophyte?In order to learn the machine, I need a project or two. My primary uses will be in SCCA race car maintenance and constuction.
What kinds of things do people make with a lathe for this purpose?
Randall Young posted the following information of books that are available on the subject:
Check out Lindsay
books. Logan's "How to Run a Lathe" is not only particularly appropriate
Also SHERLINE Products has
"Tabletop Machining" which, while not quite as appropriate (it's written for smaller
equipment, like a 4" lathe), makes good reading and has several projects suitable for
the beginner that you should be able to make on your Logan.
The Metalworking FAQ/Compendium
also has some good info, mixed in with a bunch of topics you probably aren't interested in (yet).
And, you might want to subscribe to
Home Shop Machinist and Machinist's Workshop. Although not automotive oriented, they cover
a wide range of projects.
Randall
Brian Reynolds added:
Here are some site I have found in the last year or so. Hope
they help.
New
Life Video Productions has a series of Instructional Videotapes For the Machinist, by
Rudy Kouhoupt. I purchased a couple of these videos. He includes plans for a boring bar
holder which he makes on the "Fundamentals of machine lathe operation" video. They
contain a lot of good info (especially for the beginner), but they are dry and were
filmed at home.
Other place to check out:
The Home Machinist's Handbook by Doug Briney. $20.00 (contains a lot of very good, practical
information, for any lathe (They use a Sherline). Well worth the $20, in my opinion. Some
include projects are: center punch, machinist jack, brass mallet, ball peen hammer, setup
tool, parallel bars, machist clamp, angle plate, sine bar, and a Miniature cannon. This
book is available at
Sherline Precision
Miniature Machine Tools & Accessories (Note: as of 2022 the book is now $24.)
The Home Shop Machinist magazine
Setting up and inspecting a lathe Unfortunately this link nolonger exists. I have
found the info The WAYBACK Machine and will try to extract it and mirror it here one of
these days.
And
Some Helpful
Tips on Evaluating a Lathe by Meridian Machinery
Shop Talk mailing list:
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Additionally here are some more links:
end