--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "kf4zgz <kf4zgz@n...>"
<kf4zgz@n...> wrote:
Hi gang!
I've been playing,er, working with the lathe and learning a
1- What type of tool is best for what job?
considerations: cost, main material is plastic (PVC), some metal
involved to keep if interesting.
is there a general purpose tool for most use?
HSS or carbide....pre-made or grind my own?
HSS is good for most turning. I only recently used a carbide
cutter for the first time with little difference, but I'm not very
experienced. Of course, you have to grind the HSS blanks.
2-Is there a way to hold square or odd pieces in a 3-jaw chuck?
Sparey mentions this in his excellent book "Amateur's Lathe", but
also mentions not stressing or straining the self-centering chuck.
3- Is there a good book to learn these things from...i.e. 'Metal
Lathes for dummies"
The book mentioned by bflint, "Work Holding in the Lathe", by
Tubal Cain is also excellent, and Wise Owl is a good company. They
also have Sparey's book.
The www.mini-lathe.com web site, by Frank Hoose is an excellent
source of information on the mini-lathe.
4- Suggestion for a good 1st time real project, thats easy!
The first thing I made was a cylinder for a small engine that I
just designed on the fly. I made it of 1" aluminum round stock with a
1/2" bore, tapered exterior with fins, a small unfined area ending
with a crankcase mounting flange, and a gasket surface for a cylinder
head at the other end. Finished length is about 1 3/8".
You can see model engine pictures at websites by search for
various things, like model engine, or Sparey diesel, and other similar
things.
Craig
