Metal Lathe?

[.21Rc10GT]

Hey guys.

Well, my grandfather is giving me his metal lathe. He has Alzheimer's and is 81 yrs old with Parkinsen's disease, so he doesn't remember anything, and he can't get around very well.

Anyway, he has been worried about who he would give his lathe to, and i always say that i will take it, but i dont know what i will do with it. He has had it since the 40's (or so he says), and it is a Craftsmen. This thing is over 4 feet long and must weigh over 250lbs. I really don't know much about them, but i will be learning when i get it home! I'm trying to think of some uses for this thing, but almost all i can think of is turning motors (if that is the right term).

I don't have any pics, but i will get some when i pick it up. I'm just trying to get some ideas for use.
Thanks

 

[sweetdiesel]

Make a set of wheels, try mcmaster-carr to get your aluminum. You can also try making gear shafts, axles, anything that is round.

 

[4u2nv]

I've ALWAYS wanted a metal lathe. A person can make some big bucks with one. My dads a machinest at a local power plant, and turns me out stuff all the time. When PT cruisers 1st came out, I was having him make door locks for them and Id sell them on ebay and get over a $100 a set! poop was nuts. He also makes alot of billet grips for some of his biker buddies. But yeah, theres tons of stuff ya can do with them. I'm jelouse...

 

[.21Rc10GT]

I was thinking of getting into the hardcore electric RCs eventually... I hear the motors need to be turned every once in a while... I'm thinking of stuff to make for my '67 mustang now ;-)

 

[psunitro]

SOOO many things you can make!!(and I do) You will also want to look for attachments that you may not have, drill chucks for tailstock, 4 jaw chucks collet attachments.....You could get a small pedistal grinder so you can grind your own bits......or sharpen dull/chipped ones.(I'm sure your dad could just take them to work and fiwem' up for ya) Dont try to start with a set of rims! Start smaller,say Ti hindge pins, I have a set I made for my Storm.

 

[.21Rc10GT]

I am getting all of the attachments you mentioned. It is really a big setup, and there are a lot of things on it (turning knobs and pressing buttons). Hingepins sound like fun. Maybe i'll try that first!

 

[suppaduppa]

Maybe you want to try something like model engine kits.
Blue Ridge Machinary
Myers

 

[Plaidfish]

LMAO...a 4ft lathe for electric RC motors....now that's funny.....

I have a 3ft S. bEnd that ancient too and I can't really think of much to make on it....I use it to lathe down larger shafts so I can mill out stuff on them.....I'm still trying to make a set of T-maxx Steering links that work w/ the proline kit...I want the part that connects to the servo to be 90* instead of a 180 set....it's friggin hard...I've wasted 5 sets now........

 

[suppaduppa]

If you actually looked at the websites you would see that they have nothing to do being electric or r/c.

 

[Diver6127]

Using a full sized lathe to cut the comm is over kill. Also, all that is needed is to do a skim coat to true the comm. With a full sized lathe, you run the risk of taking too much off or even damaging the armature.

 

[JESSE G]

I was thinking of getting into the hardcore electric RCs eventually... I hear the motors need to be turned every once in a while... I'm thinking of stuff to make for my '67 mustang now ;-)

You might be able to makes some sweet interior knobs for the stang? For example Radio, headlight switch things like that. Also mabe a custom dimmer switch? Dunno just what popped in my head lol. Oh yeah mabe a custom nut for your airbreather :shrug:

 

[Plaidfish]

If you actually looked at the websites you would see that they have nothing to do being electric or r/c.

UMMMMM...O-kayyy!!
I was reffering to RC10 saying he was going to use his 4ft lathe to cut his comm on electric motors.....

if you actually read the entire post above you would have seen that

 

[.21Rc10GT]

Using a full sized lathe to cut the comm is over kill. Also, all that is needed is to do a skim coat to true the comm. With a full sized lathe, you run the risk of taking too much off or even damaging the armature.

Even if i was super carefull??? I'm not arguing against you, i just was hoping i could "at least" do that... Oh well, Jesse has some ideas there!!!

 

[Diver6127]

open a motor and pull out the armature. You'll see what I mean then think twice. A commlathe is about the size of a box that a nitro engine comes in.

 

[Plaidfish]

Guys apparently I hurt some feelings w/ my last post.....this where I should appologize for aparently being a big ass....

but I won't....
If you found that offensive you might want to toughen up a lil.....I replied in the same pentameter and attitude your post had towards me or whoever it was directed at....

If you actually looked at the websites

If that wasn't the same smart ass feel as mine then you might want to re-read your posts....this came off to me as though you are the high and mighty machinist authority and were belittling me for not reviewing your posted sites....and I can only assume that it was directed at me since I replied to RC after you replied to him...

I meant no ill will and was just being the typical sarcastic peepee everyone has known me to be here.....

lighten up cause life sucks and you need a helmet.....

 

[Jeep]

Back to the lathe ,
About mid summer this past year, we purchased this baby for the bike shop:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.aspx?itemnumber=G4015Z
The price was unreal, and it is an amazing machine.
I simply can't add up how much money we have saved with this lathe/mill
from going to a machine shop.

I'm already thinking about making wheels for my Hyper 7 , if it will ever get here

Jeep