Seeking advise

[Woodward]

Hello all,
About me....
42, male, trucking, mechanic, welder, excavating, construction, electrical, bla, bla, bla, drag racer (weekend warrior) :smile:

Several years ago I took 2 "machining technologies" classes at the local tech school mainly to familiarize myself with mill and lathe operations.
Had a great time, learned allot and would now like to add these to my shop.

My interests at this time would be along the lines of making small parts, shafts, pins, bushings, knobs, knurling and so on.....
Thread turning is important to me as well.

I have been looking at used equipment and was hoping to find some practical advise from people far wiser than I.

In no particular order, my questions are,

Are all lathes set up/equipped for thread turning?
For example, I have found many older Southbends for sale but i dont know if all older equipment is designed for thread turning.

In a way, it seems as if the Southbend crowd is similar to the JohnDeere people. Many are not only enthusiasts but collectors as well, not only interested in practical usage but the nostalgia factor as well. (at least it seems that way)
Yes/no ?

Which lathes and mills are more practical/affordable as far as tooling goes?

If i buy a piece of equipment which is set up for 3 phase electric, can i simply replace the motor with the same HP single phase unit?
(I'd rather not use a phase converter if possible on advise from a friend)

I have found several lathes which are far larger than i can ever imagine needing but if i were to purchase a "big one" would that effect the quality of smaller parts being produced?

I believe the lathes at school were all "gear head" (?) design. They were quick and easy to change speeds which i liked allot. I am guessing the belt driven models are much more cumbersome?

Can all lathes and mills be retrofitted with DRO's at a later date?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, probably more to come:eek:
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[aametalmaster]

Yes SBL's are all for threading providing all the change gears are there or it has a quick change gearbox. Yes you school lathes were prob gearheads. DRO's can be added at anytime if you desire. You didn't say where you live and some lathes are more common in some areas than others. Like Ohio, eastern Pa, Mich and Mass and NYC. I would look for a good used 9" SBL preferebly with the quick change gearbox. Extra chucks, tooling and such will run a lathe up and sometimes alot of the extra stuff is junk or not needed. Check out my http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/ yahoo group for lots of pics and ideas. I started with a few bare bones lathes and made what i needed and now i can do anything that walks in the door. Watch the spindle hole size too. Lots of small imports and the smaller 9" SBL have a 3/4 hole where the heavy 10 SBL has a 1 3/8" for most of them.

This is a good idea of a change gear SB lathe. This one is a rare riser lathe meaning its really a 12" lathe made from a standard 9" lathe from the factory.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330374790335

This is a 9" quick change SBL.
http://cgi.ebay.com/SOUTH-BEND-9-X-24-BENCH-LATHE-1-2HP-120-VOLT-1-PHASE_W0QQitemZ370284054952QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_L athes?hash=item5636a649a8

This is a SB heavy 10 with the welded metal cabinet. Some have a big cast iron leg and a small tail end leg.
http://cgi.ebay.com/SOUTH-BEND-Heavy-10-10-Lathe-Hard-Way-10-x-34-cc-USA_W0QQitemZ160367840333QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Lat hes?hash=item2556ab0c4d

any more questions just ask...Bob

[Woodward]

Thank you for the response.

Can you or anyone advise me on a Mill?

One i have found has a 2/3 HP motor and is set up for R8 tooling. (Most I have seen are 2-3 HP)
Its a good size unit, (2200 lbs) but i am wondering if the smaller motor will be problem and or would the head itself be lighter duty?
The most difficult work i will probably put it through would be drilling say 3/4" plate with a 3/4" drill bit.

Opinions please.

[aametalmaster]

The 2/3 hp sounds kinda small for the size machine (weight wise) Even if you got it how many 3/4" holes are you going to be drilling? I dill lots of the with hole saws because i can't chuck a bit over 5/8" my machine runs too fast. So if you can get a deal on it go for it. Good used mills are pricey and hard to find in some parts of the country...Bob

[Woodward]

Thanks for the response,
I thought maybe it was a typo but the rating on the table is on the low side too. (compared to many BP's I've seen advertised)
In reality, I will probably never work the thing like it was intended, so i guess if its nice, maybe i should get it.
If I dont push it hard or run it non stop like a production line it should be ok. Yes ?

[aametalmaster]

YES. I would buy it if it was reasonable and close by...Bob

[Woodward]

Thanks,

Well, for better or for worse, i am now the proud owner of a Supermax mill and a Fortune lathe.

For my next (of probably many questions) I would like opinions on a lathe chuck.
Should i get an 8 or 10" chuck?
Is the size (in inches) the max capacity or the outside dia?
Will a 10" be less likely to hold smaller parts?
The mounting is D1-6.

Brands to look for, brands to avoid?

Thanks in advance.

[aametalmaster]

You arent going to have a big choice with that mounting so i would scour ebay and try to grab one. I like Bison chucks and you can get them new. But the older Union, Cushmans, Buck are good too. I have 5 chucks for just one lathe from 4" to 8" just to do different jobs plus a collet set for the little stuff...Bob

[Woodward]

I have seen chucks listed as D1-6. Some have 6 pins, another had 3 pins. Do you know if both will fit?
The "hub" on my mounting flange has 6 holes and the center measures 4.159 at the widest point.

My question is, will a chuck with 3 pins mount on my 6 hole hub or is the 3 pin chuck i found listed incorrectly?

Thanks.

[aametalmaster]

I think it should have 6 holes. I will look around...Bob
http://www.shars.com/product_categories/view/4111105/DMount_Back_Plates
http://www.shars.com/products/view/985/Lathe_Chuck_Adapter_Plate_10quot_D16

[Woodward]

Here is an example.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380177569427&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Listed as D1-6 but only has 3 pins.

Heres another, no name (brand) but has 6 pins.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300177102706&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Retired]

In reply to your question regarding 3 phase. I used to run my 3 phase machines including a 5hp Colchester Triumph Lathe from a Transwave Static Converter 240V supply and 415V output at 5.5KW. Whilst the converter worked ok it was low on starting power and did not supply full power to the machines.

I sold the lathe and converter. A short while later I once again needed 3 phase so whilst searching eBay I came across a guy selling a 3 DVD set these covered how to make my own Static and Rotary Converters; a welder and also how to convert either a motor stator or scrap 3 phase transformer to give 3 phase output.

I bought the DVD’s and was amazed at how easy it all was to do with very detailed instructions on each method.

I tried the Stator method and although it worked ok the stator I had obtained was a bit too small so I bought a large scrap 3 phase transformer. I followed the instructions and now have a 3 phase transformer giving an estimated 10KVA (10hp) at 415V but on full power. I ran a circuit around my garage from the transformer and can run multiple machines at full power on 415V up to the total maximum output of the transformer; the machines can be switched on and off as if normal 3 phase was being used as each machine has its own starter and is phase balanced to the transformer.

This transformer is a beauty and the whole 3 phase system cost me less than £120 ($187). The transformer is virtually silent in operation and I fitted a safety panel lamp to the supply so that I can see at a glance it is powered up. The transformer idles at a very low 0.8A which is just fantastic given its size.

Using my static converter it used to take ages for my large dust extractor to wind up to speed but now using the transformer it’s almost immediate.

Douglas Arndt is the creator of this method and Doug’s site is;

http://www.unique3phase.com/

Doug is a great guy to know and deal with. I enjoyed installing 3 phase and saved a bundle. A friend here in the UK (Wales) was quoted £17,000 ($26.520) to have the electricity company install 3 phase 415V into his two farmhouses.

Using Doug’s method any output volts or amps are possible and I can highly recommend watching Doug’s videos online.

Any person attempting this project does so entirely at their own risk as a mistake could prove fatal. Following the instructions is easy and it is possible to do all the work but for anyone with doubts a qualified electrician could be asked to check over the project and power it up for the first time. Please don’t take chances.

Converting a 3 phase machine to single phase is not as easy as it sounds to be. The motor would need to have a shaft to match the original pulley/s also it would require it’s own starter as the original 3 phase starter would not be of use. The starting amps of a single phase motor is approximately six times full load current which could give problems with the supply and cabling. Single phase motors generally do not like multiple stop/start cycles as they can overheat and burn out.

I hope this is on topic and of use. Pictures of my transformer are included.

Regards, Col.

[Retired]

In reply to your question regarding 3 phase. I used to run my 3 phase machines including a 5hp Colchester Triumph Lathe from a Transwave Static Converter 240V supply and 415V output at 5.5KW. Whilst the converter worked ok it was low on starting power and did not supply full power to the machines.

I sold the lathe and converter. A short while later I once again needed 3 phase so whilst searching eBay I came across a guy selling a 3 DVD set these covered how to make my own Static and Rotary Converters; a welder and also how to convert either a motor stator or scrap 3 phase transformer to give 3 phase output.

I bought the DVD’s and was amazed at how easy it all was to do with very detailed instructions on each method.

I tried the Stator method and although it worked ok the stator I had obtained was a bit too small so I bought a large scrap 3 phase transformer. I followed the instructions and now have a 3 phase transformer giving an estimated 10KVA (10hp) at 415V but on full power. I ran a circuit around my garage from the transformer and can run multiple machines at full power on 415V up to the total maximum output of the transformer; the machines can be switched on and off as if normal 3 phase was being used as each machine has its own starter and is phase balanced to the transformer.

This transformer is a beauty and the whole 3 phase system cost me less than £120 ($187). The transformer is virtually silent in operation and I fitted a safety panel lamp to the supply so that I can see at a glance it is powered up. The transformer idles at a very low 0.8A which is just fantastic given its size.

Using my static converter it used to take ages for my large dust extractor to wind up to speed but now using the transformer it’s almost immediate.

Douglas Arndt is the creator of this method and Doug’s site is;

http://www.unique3phase.com/

Doug is a great guy to know and deal with. I enjoyed installing 3 phase and saved a bundle. A friend here in the UK (Wales) was quoted £17,000 ($26.520) to have the electricity company install 3 phase 415V into his two farmhouses.

Using Doug’s method any output volts or amps are possible and I can highly recommend watching Doug’s videos online.

Any person attempting this project does so entirely at their own risk as a mistake could prove fatal. Following the instructions is easy and it is possible to do all the work but for anyone with doubts a qualified electrician could be asked to check over the project and power it up for the first time. Please don’t take chances.

Converting a 3 phase machine to single phase is not as easy as it sounds to be. The motor would need to have a shaft to match the original pulley/s also it would need to adapted to the machines mountings. It would require it’s own starter as the original 3 phase starter would not be of use. The starting amps of a single phase motor is approximately six times full load current which could give problems with the supply and cabling. Single phase motors generally do not like multiple stop/start cycles as they can overheat and burn out.

I hope this is on topic and of use. Pictures of my transformer are included.

Regards, Col.