Recent content by mmatisoff

I'm getting closer to getting the cutting angle correct on my mini lathe tools. One more question. When I move the newly sharpened tool backward, I get nice long curls of brass. But when I go forward, I get crumbles, or the tool doesn't move at all. Again, thanks for assistance..

I'm just learning to turn metal so far. The turned piece is somewhat coarse, not smooth. I've attached two pics: one showing tool next to the work piece, and the other showing the "crumbles." Any help would be most welcome.

I sharpened the tools for my Taig lathe with the help of an experienced machinist. One question I have is should I be getting shaving from the metal I turn or is it okay if the metal crumbles? It does the same thing on brass and steel even after adjusting the speed for each metal.

I own a Taig mini lathe that I'm just learning to use. The headstock on my lathe states that it's hermetically sealed. There are two nuts on the headstock: one on the front side and one on the back. First, what do the nuts hold in place? I noticed that when I turned the chuck, the nut on the...

I have a Taig mini lathe, and I want to purchase a dial indicator and stand. As I've never purchased one before, I would like to know which dial indicators are accurate and sturdy. I try to buy tools (metal or woodworking) that are well made. That's what I'm looking for in a dial indicator.

One more question. The cross slide dial on my Taig mini lathe has an ~1/8” gap between the dial and the bearing block. I’ve loosened the allen screw inside the dial, and I’ve removed the brass ring from the bearing block, but I can’t eliminate the gap. When I move the...

I'm getting the hang of cutting brass on my Taig lathe; however, steel is proving problematic. I've sharpened the tools so that I can see my own reflection in the face (as I do with my wood chisels). The question I have is "which way is up?" I'm pretty sure that the angles of the rake are the...

Thanks everyone. The error is mine. I used the wrong terminology. My mentor was showing me how to reduce a steel nail to 0.16" diameter using a watchmaker's lathe and gravers. I'm using a Tail lathe and meant to say tool bit. I've sharpened the tool bits three times. Once they are sharp, the...

I'm new to the world of mini lathes (or any lathe). Last evening (and the evening before that) I sat down to practice cutting steel and brass. Everything went well so long as I didn't put too much pressure on the graver. The slightest pressure on the metal being cut by moving the graver and...

Can you recommend a good place to buy small amounts of 12L14 steel. I work on clocks and 12" by 3/8" rod would last me a year. I went to online metals which has a good price ($1.95) for 12", but here's the kicker ... they want $12 to UPS the metal to me.

I want to practice cutting steel on my new lathe. Home Depot (and Lowe's) carry various sizes of steel rod. The one thing I can't find out is the composition of the steel rod they sell. Has anyone used these rod for machining? If yes, can you tell me the best cutting speed for the rods...

I am a new lathe user. I recently purchased a Taig mini lathe. I assembled the lathe and motor. My question is in relation to the 3-jaw chuck. I removed the retainer clip and disconnected the scroll and the chuck body. It was difficult at first to the get the jaws to move, but after a while I...

I just assembled my Taig mini lathe. Being new (literally) to lathes, I discovered rather immediately that 3-jaw chuck is not a single piece but two pieces with three sliding jaws (though right now they don't slide very easily). What is the relationship of the back plate to the front plate (the...

Thanks for the info. I'm going through it now. One more question. How difficult is it to cut gears (for a clock) on a mini lathe? -- M

Greetings, I'm a clock repairer, and I'm about to purchase my first mini lathe. I've been reading what's available on the web re: the various mini lathes. After reading a comparison by the Little Machine Shop, I've decided to go with the Harbor Freight 7" x 10" lathe. Everything I've read...