On 8/24/2022 8:59 PM, Snag wrote:
Got a set of plans from the Logan Lathe email list , looks like I'll
soon be finding out if it's worth all the work . I started to make one several years ago , and it just wasn't coming together . Turns out it
was simply a matter of scale , I was building something that was better suited to a much larger and more powerful lathe than my Logan/Wards 10 x
31 .
The body of the one I'm building now is only 2x2x1 1.25 inches , much smaller than my original vision ... I've got the parts all at the point
where tomorrow I'll start to cut dovetails . My only reservation so far
is cutter height , I'll have to cut a recess in the top of the tool
holder blocks at the adjustment screw to be sure I can raise the tool
holder blocks high enough for the cutting edge to be on center with some cutter profiles . I may end up going back to the lantern toolpost ...
time will tell !
So far I've used only material I have on hand . Looks like the only things I'll have to purchase is the setscrews for the tool bits . All
the brass bits will be made of cartridge cases (damaged or calibers I
don't shoot) I will or have already melted down and cast into round
stock . Everything else is salvaged stock from wherever . I even know
what most of it is !
If you do much work using multiple tools its definitely worth it. While
tool height (depending on your tool post) might not be perfect from use
to use, it will be "close enough" if you use proper height settable tool holders. This alone will save you time over stacking shims. Of course
there is a basic time savings just from the inherent nature of quick
change tool holders on a quick change tool post.
One of the things I see often on the pro snobs machinists groups is guys commenting on and maybe even sneering at the number tool holders
hobbyists and home shop machinists have. The thing is I can pick up a
boring bar I haven't used in weeks, drop it on the machine, and its set
close enough for my one off job.
When I am doing things more production oriented (multiple parts the
same) I have all the tools I will need for that job ready to go. Except
to change speeds I can run from facing to parting and everything in
between without ever shutting off the spindle. I followed this up on
the tail stock as well. I have multiple screwless chucks, collet chucks
and tapered drill (some in adapter sleeves) so I can slide the tail
stock back, swap the tool, and slide it up again very fast. I do use
Jacobs style scroll chucks, but I use them like just another tool holder
with a tool mounted semi permanently or atleast for the course of that
job.
On the flip side if you just enjoy the machining, there is a great deal
of pleasure from making your own tool holders, adapters, bushings, as
needed. You can make "holders" for tools you might never be able to use
in a conventional 4 way tool post. The best part is even your not so
great holders will mostly still work. There is a great deal of
tolerance in turning tool setups.
Even back in the days when all I had was the little HF 7x10 I found a
quick change tool post handy from the first day I used it.
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