Hi Guys,
Well, I have finished my faceplate adapter plate and knurling tool and now I am turning my attention to milling in the lathe. I feel kinda guilty, being unable, at this stage to contribute anything to HMEM but my questions. I am even building tools that I cant use, e.g. what do you do with a faceplate? One thing at least is on the cards with it now I can mount a test piece between centres and drive it with my home made dog, so soon I should have the lathe nicely squared up.
I have been offered a Cincinatti Model 3 mill for less than 1/3 the price I would be paying for a new mill like this,
but the Model 3 is a monstrous big thing and I dont hardly think the floor in my workshop will take its ton or more.
So logistics, finances and that I dont think my output warrants it, dictates that I should make do with what I have for milling. Now as I make out, there are 2 basic ways of milling on the cross slide, a boring table that moves parallel and vertical to the cross slide or a vertical slide. The vertical slide will probably be easier to make ( how do you jack a boring table maintaining it parallel to the slide and square with the ways? ), but with the little I know, it seems that a table, jacking vertically from the slide, is a more versatile arrangement. Any suggestions?
The other question is toolholding and driving the tools. My 6 lathe spindle speeds range from 2000 to 125 rpm in big steps and by juggling the pulleys around I can get 60rpm also. Nothing like enough, or usable? I like the idea of an ER25 collet set with an MT3 collet chuck, then I will also buy a straight shank collet chuck and attempt a milling spindle with it. More suggestions?
I suspect a lot of you will think I am going about this hobby a### about face but this direction seems the most logical and fun for me.
Thanks yet again,
Ant
Well, I have finished my faceplate adapter plate and knurling tool and now I am turning my attention to milling in the lathe. I feel kinda guilty, being unable, at this stage to contribute anything to HMEM but my questions. I am even building tools that I cant use, e.g. what do you do with a faceplate? One thing at least is on the cards with it now I can mount a test piece between centres and drive it with my home made dog, so soon I should have the lathe nicely squared up.
I have been offered a Cincinatti Model 3 mill for less than 1/3 the price I would be paying for a new mill like this,
but the Model 3 is a monstrous big thing and I dont hardly think the floor in my workshop will take its ton or more.
So logistics, finances and that I dont think my output warrants it, dictates that I should make do with what I have for milling. Now as I make out, there are 2 basic ways of milling on the cross slide, a boring table that moves parallel and vertical to the cross slide or a vertical slide. The vertical slide will probably be easier to make ( how do you jack a boring table maintaining it parallel to the slide and square with the ways? ), but with the little I know, it seems that a table, jacking vertically from the slide, is a more versatile arrangement. Any suggestions?
The other question is toolholding and driving the tools. My 6 lathe spindle speeds range from 2000 to 125 rpm in big steps and by juggling the pulleys around I can get 60rpm also. Nothing like enough, or usable? I like the idea of an ER25 collet set with an MT3 collet chuck, then I will also buy a straight shank collet chuck and attempt a milling spindle with it. More suggestions?
I suspect a lot of you will think I am going about this hobby a### about face but this direction seems the most logical and fun for me.
Thanks yet again,
Ant