making a "slot" with a lathe

[Kermit]

How hard is it to do?

I'm supposing I already have a cross slide adapter that can present the work piece to the chuck holding the cutting tool. Which I don't ;D

My first guess would be that I should just stick with drilling multiple holes with the lathe and finish by hand if I just have to make them square. Or stop with the series of holes.

If I take small cuts would the lathe handle an end mill tool? Or should I only load the chuck in the axis of rotation and not across it?

Lots of questions,
Kermit

Oh---how about a picture so you can see what I'm getting on about.

 

[joeby]

Kermit,
A lathe spindle should be capable of handling radial as well as axial loads. Knurling and part-off, as well as turning a diameter or facing all impose a radial load on the spindle.

An end mill will work fine, but be aware of the backlash in your cross-slide.

As far as a method of work holding, use your imagination. An angle plate clamped on the cross-slide, a square block of aluminum or steel, or if you have a quick-change toolpost, you could just clamp to the side of that if you are careful to not mill into it. I don't have a lathe with a flat top on the cross-slide, but I've done some milling and boring jobs with an angle plate and some scrap for shims.

Kevin

 

[Tin Falcon]

Kermit:
I know this is likely backwards from what you are trying to do but if you look at my old thread from TB1 on the reversing valves you will get an idea of how i milled slots on my lathe. It may or may not help your situation.
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=2286.0
Tin