Micro Lathe

[terry1001]

Dave, was this a new machine? It seems that they need a fair bit of cleaning and adjusting before you can do anything with them but that can apply to used models as well. I had excessive movement in the one I bought 'pre-loved' and stripped the moving parts, cleaned. oiled and adjusted the gibs and replaced a couple of the feed nuts to get it to an acceptable level. It's a fair bit smaller than the lathes I used to have and less powerful as well so everything takes longer. I found this site http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Start/start.htm when I was looking around and it contains some useful information. Hope you get to grips with it soon.

[22-250jock]

Dave, was this a new machine? It seems that they need a fair bit of cleaning and adjusting before you can do anything with them but that can apply to used models as well. I had excessive movement in the one I bought 'pre-loved' and stripped the moving parts, cleaned. oiled and adjusted the gibs and replaced a couple of the feed nuts to get it to an acceptable level. It's a fair bit smaller than the lathes I used to have and less powerful as well so everything takes longer. I found this site http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Start/start.htm when I was looking around and it contains some useful information. Hope you get to grips with it soon.

looks like some good info there Terry

think i have terminal 'T.E.S', and have been suffering from it for many years

cheers jock

[some bloke]

Dave, was this a new machine? It seems that they need a fair bit of cleaning and adjusting before you can do anything with them but that can apply to used models as well. I had excessive movement in the one I bought 'pre-loved' and stripped the moving parts, cleaned. oiled and adjusted the gibs and replaced a couple of the feed nuts to get it to an acceptable level. It's a fair bit smaller than the lathes I used to have and less powerful as well so everything takes longer. I found this site http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Start/start.htm when I was looking around and it contains some useful information. Hope you get to grips with it soon.

Good site Terry - thanks.

[some bloke]

Well it took a while to find the bogey but look at what the chuck of this lathe is like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu-YI7cX ... e=youtu.be

Am I being fair to expect a chuck to be better than this?

[22-250jock]

Dave, dont suppose theres any way the jaws have been mixed up and are in the wrong slots.................long shot i know

cheers jock

[rodp]

Wasn't there some way of trueing chucks that I seem to remember from years ago ? You put something in the tailstock and ran it up the centre of the chuck ?

I can't really remember to be honest, probably something I saw done as a yoof

[some bloke]

I've not removed the jaws yet. I know it's only 10 thou gaps on the end of the jaws but if they are not gripping and stabilising the job there's no point them being made that long to my thinking. They also have quite a sharp contact area, so when it bucks out the job gets a gouge in it and loosens itself more... vicious circle commences.

[SikaStag]

Dave

Will be a package posted to you on Wednesday. Sorry for the delay in getting it back to you.

Silly question but does this mini or Micro lathe have a carriage that works under power. without you turning the wheels to move it manually. The finnish you get on the metal is best if the carriage is moving under power. Trying to leave a good finnish using the wheels by hand is almost impossible.

I would be keen to see what kind of finnish you can get using this lathe.


Ian

[terry1001]

The jaws should be parallel over their whole length and they should run true within a couple of thou. If this is a new machine you should return it, if used I would ask the seller for a partial refund/money back. If they are 'soft' jaws you can true them up but I suspect they are 'hard' ones which won't really be feasible as they would need grinding. If you do go for a new chuck I think there is a slightly larger than standard version available which might well be a worthwhile choice.

[some bloke]

There is an optional power adaptor conversion Ian but I have no confidence in leaving the thing unwatched even for a second TBH.

The finish isn't much of a concern, the front will be blacked with a marker pen on the copper ones 'cos paint don't stick and it's an internal component anyway. Cheers for the package mate.