Lathelopnik: Nothing Special

"MM54" (mm54mk2) 07/03/2020 at 09:10 • Filed to: Lathelopnik

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I realized I’ve not mentioned it here, and since it’s somewhat relevant: I recently bought a lathe from one of my new favorite places (an industrial surplus shop in Cleveland).

After thorough cleaning and oiling

Nothing particuarly special or fancy about the machine, but it’s secondhand and once cleaned wa s in basically-new condition (and came with a very sturdy table). Only nearly- killed 5 of my friends getting it into the basement (~500lb; garage is full). It’s plenty capable of anything I’d need from it.

No particular dimensions, faced and turned some random scrap 3/4" steel round stock to make sure it works

It even works! Pardon the awful surface finish. It was just a test cut and I was using the tool that came in it while I wait for more holders for the QCTP to show up, which was ground for facing moreso than actual turning. I also dyslexia’ed the gearbox table and turned the feed up for the final pass instead of down. Oops. We’ll call it 50/50.

Tapas > MM54 07/03/2020 at 09:23

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Congratulations on the purchase!

What do you plan on making?

Also, have you considered using it for wood?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > MM54 07/03/2020 at 09:30

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Metal work is what I wish I'd done with my life

shop-teacher > MM54 07/03/2020 at 09:37

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That's awesome!

just-a-scratch > MM54 07/03/2020 at 09:40

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I’m more than a bit jealous. Congratulations

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > MM54 07/03/2020 at 09:58

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I’m getting one of those next...maybe. Maybe.. a mill. Maybe a 3D printer...

Why do there have to be so many cool toys and so little money?

MM54 > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 07/03/2020 at 10:07

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I built a 3D printer in ~2014, I still have it. I think they’re overrated, at least for my purposes. It very, very rarely gets used.

I’d love to have a mill, but space is my biggest constraint there. Something about the bench-top ones give me a massive lack of confidence (I’m used to a full-on bridgeport style machine) and I definitely don’t have room for a ‘big’ one.

MM54 > Tapas 07/03/2020 at 10:09

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Thanks! It’ll be used for odds and ends as required. A bit too often I’m working on the car and think “this would be a lot easier if I could make X”

I actually own a wood lathe, I loaned it to a friend about 9 years ago and haven’t seen it since :)

MM54 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/03/2020 at 10:10

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I’m no expert by any means. It’s satisfying for sure, though. As much as sitting at a desk all day for my real job kills me, in another 30 years I’ll be glad I haven’t used up my body like many people I know who have been doing manual labor their whole lives. Plus (for some reason) desk jobs make good money?

MM54 > shop-teacher 07/03/2020 at 10:10

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Thanks!

MM54 > just-a-scratch 07/03/2020 at 10:11

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Thanks!

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > MM54 07/03/2020 at 10:13

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I've got the room for a decent mill....but not the work. Same could be said of a 3D printer for that matter. But I have the imagination...and that's what counts. Until the money becomes a factor...let alone the ability to actually operate either machine...but I think I can fix that...

VincentMalamute-Kim > MM54 07/03/2020 at 13:20

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I know nothing about lathes but your comment about nearly killing five friends getting it into the basement reminded me of my buddy.

I can’t imagine how many times larger the lathe he got is but he told me that he specifically didn’t want any helpers moving it down into his basement. He didn’t want any deaths or injuries from any miscommunication when moving several thousand lbs around.

He gave me one of the Harbor Freight microlathes - your post reminds me I should get it set up and see if I like doing this stuff at all.

Tapas > MM54 07/03/2020 at 13:22

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Oh cool!

That’ s a long loan! Hope you get interest in form of beers.

zipfuel > MM54 07/03/2020 at 13:25

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Quite the turn of events

BaconSandwich is tasty. > MM54 07/03/2020 at 15:54

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I'm jealous!

MM54 > VincentMalamute-Kim 07/05/2020 at 11:47

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This one’s about 500lb, and if it were any more it wouldn’t have been possible to maneuver haha. I can’t imagine moving one of the 1000lb+ ones down stairs (which would have to be strong enough to support it in the first place!)

MM54 > Tapas 07/05/2020 at 11:48

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One of these days I’ll call him up out of the blue and ask him about it, he probably does still have it tucked away somewhere with intention of finishing the project from a decade ago haha

MM54 > zipfuel 07/05/2020 at 11:48

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I see what you did there, and I like it.

Tapas > MM54 07/05/2020 at 11:51

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Haha!

VincentMalamute-Kim > MM54 07/05/2020 at 12:01

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Good point about using up your body doing manual labor. But my career was also sitting at a desk all day - that could be just as deadly.

Working a desk job does help to make machining a fun hobby.

“More money” - We don’t have enough machinists, skilled manual labor. We don’t pay teachers enough. Don’t pay cops enough to get decent human beings.

A friend’s brother who is a Harley executive was complaining about the difficulty finding and hiring enough skilled employees.  I said that if you pay enough, you’ll find people.  He looked at me like I had three eyes.

VincentMalamute-Kim > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/05/2020 at 12:02

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I feel the same way. I also think that would have ruined machining as something fun.

MM54 > VincentMalamute-Kim 07/05/2020 at 12:19

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Agreed - there’s a balance to everything.

Also agree about skilled labor being way undervalued. It’s the same story everywhere - they wonder why they can’t find good help when they’re trying to pay them peanuts. The handful of companies that pay their technicans/etc. well don’t seem to have too much trouble hanging on to them.