Unconventional lathe setup - am I asking for trouble?

excelfreak · Jul 24, 2013

Hi all,

I live in a small apartment and don't have much space. My lathe and mill are right next to me near my computer in the living room (main room). Given my constraints I have cooked up a rather unconventional lathe stand, I kind of like it. All the electronics are in the back of it and the chips fall down (usually there is a container there - removed for clarity).

I have been using this for a while now with no ill effects (so far), however, recently I was reading some articles on setting up lathes and it appears that it is paramount that they are flat and level.

So here is my question: Do you foresee any issues with this setup?

Please advice

excelfreak

canadianhorsepower · Jul 24, 2013

recently I was reading some articles on setting up lathes and it appears that it is paramount that they are flat and level.

there is nothing wrong by having this way as long as it is perfectly thru
in your quote "flat and level" are common term if using a "bubble level"
I love those IKA lamp to

Dave Sohlstrom · Jul 24, 2013

As long as your wood base does not cause any twist in the lathe bed you are fine. You have a mini slant lathe.

Dave

pkastagehand · Jul 24, 2013

Looks like you're using CNC? My only "issue" would be if you do much manual turning you're reaching over the turning part to reach the cross-feed.

BTW, does your name "excelfreak" imply you like to use MSExcel for lots of things? I have also made use of it for the odd bit here and there that is too trivial to bother writing a dedicated program. I've used some Visual Basic to do various thing over the years that are hard or impossible to do with simple in-cell formulas. Almost never use a calculator for other than very basic math now if I'm near a computer with Excel or Libre Office Calc.

Paul

excelfreak · Jul 24, 2013

thanks guys

Luc - yes those IKEA lamps are great - I think I get a few more

Dave - I don't think the base causes any twist - the lathe is barely held down with 4 screws on some rubber (vinyl) pads to minimize working as a sound amplifier. So for the most part it is "hanging" off those mounting screws

Paul - no manual turning per se - I use the CNC stuff manually, e.g. go to this coordinate and do so and so - yes you are correct - I am rather well versed in Excel and can also do things that are impossible otherwise. Quite handi skill to have - it has saved my behind many a times. I made myself a little g-code generator for various tasks in excel - its a work in progress.

excelfreak

tornitore45 · Jul 24, 2013

athey have lastes on ships and on some akward corner in submarines and day there will be lathes in space. "level" is a relative term.

I too lowe Excel is the only good program MS ever made before lousing it up with the last release.

jwcnc1911 · Jul 24, 2013

tornitore45 said:
athey have lastes on ships and on some akward corner in submarines and day there will be lathes in space. "level" is a relative term.

I too lowe Excel is the only good program MS ever made before lousing it up with the last release.

Sorry, had to.

blighty · Jul 24, 2013

you have just made your self a slant bed cnc lathe........ best type to have

n4zou · Jul 24, 2013

blighty said:
you have just made your self a slant bed cnc lathe........ best type to have

You beat me to it.

The only difficulty you might have is the angle of the hand wheels and reaching over spinning work and chuck.

canadianhorsepower · Jul 24, 2013

n4zou said:
You beat me to it.

The only difficulty you might have is the angle of the hand wheels and reaching over spinning work and chuck.

very clean set up love itThm:

excelfreak · Jul 24, 2013

that is very nice - I have been thinking about containment as well, I find swarf everywhere

robcas631 · Jul 24, 2013

LOL JW riot!

robcas631 · Jul 24, 2013

Dave is there is an issue with the base, couldn't a 1/4" piece of steel be used to reinforce it? Just asking?

blighty · Jul 24, 2013

don't think the base would be a problem, as a lathe like that you would just bolt to a wooden bench any way.... OK, if you bolted it to a bit of 1/4 inch ply you might get some problems.

Mainer · Jul 25, 2013

Not a problem -- the "flat and level" business is just a means of ensuring the lathe bed is straight. As long as the lathe turns parallel, you're fine.

tornitore45 · Jul 25, 2013

Sorry, had to.

I realize I made several typos but I do not see the humor of the posted picture.

You got to explain it.
I am not bitter just afraid to miss a good chukle.

tornitore45 · Jul 25, 2013

I realize I made several typos but I do not see the humor of the posted picture.

You got to explain it.
I am not bitter just afraid to miss a good chukle.

__________________

Never mind, I got it. I was focusing on the picture, which has nothing to do with the caption. The caption is on point, however bad spelling is a crime against othography, not grammar which rule sentence construction.

pkastagehand · Jul 25, 2013

... and some of old(er) folks don't type so well anymore...

Tin Falcon · Jul 25, 2013

JW: Please be careful with the friendly jesting about punctuation and writing style.
We at HMEM do our best to make all interested in Model engine building welcome here . The people here include many folks that for whatever valid reason have to work hard to write and even after hard work still has many flaws. People struggle with the effects of head injury various handicaps , dyslexia and the list goes on.
And this is not a grade school play yard where kids get teased. So just be careful you are not offending folks . if you do then please apologize.
Tin

blighty · Jul 25, 2013

and if you want to be really pedantic, it should of been "Sorry, I had to"

Unconventional lathe setup - am I asking for trouble?

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