K: Tools Do I need a metal turning lathe?

danno

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
Hi
I’m currently trying to make some sort of workshop out of my single garage. Got 3 bikes including a C Rapide.
I had to sell a rather dated pillar drill, a wood turning lathe and a large free standing circular saw
due to house move.
Now sort of starting again as regards useful machines an I’m down to an electric grinder
and free standing disc/belt sander.
Have managed so far without a metal turning lathe but I do need another drill or mill drill.
There’s quite a few hobby type machines that would fit the bill and a fairly small footprint is important.
Someone suggested that the Clarke CL500M lathe and mill drill from Machine Mart is good value and would save getting seperate machines. Could just about accommodate one.
Otherwise just a hobby mill drill would do as I’ll have a solid bench and vice for basic thread tapping and general use.
I guess many Vin owners are kitted out with lathes.
Any ideas appreciated.
 

Robert Watson

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VOC Member
We are pretty sure the lathe and the A twin were both made the same year 1939! And before anyone yells at me the lathe has a clutch drive so sometimes the key gets left in the chuck.......
IMG_2453.JPG
 

ClassicBiker

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Lathes are indispensable in my opinion. Couldn't live without one truthfully.

We are pretty sure the lathe and the A twin were both made the same year 1939! And before anyone yells at me the lathe has a clutch drive so sometimes the key gets left in the chuck.......View attachment 36175

When I was in High School if my metal shop teacher, Mr. Thomas Peters, noticed a student leave a chuck key in any machine, he would take the key, walk out to the football field and throw the key as far as he could. Then he would return to the shop, take the offending student out to the edge of the field and tell him not to return to class until the key was found. Failure to return to class with the key after three days meant a failure for that semester. If he didn't catch you before you started the machine and the key went flying, well that was a instant failure for the semester. Mr. Peters explained all this in the first week of class so you had plenty of time to look for a new elective. Failing a semester in the first year meant you couldn't get a co-op position during your senior year. Failing more than a single class in any semester or failing more than one semester of a year long class meant repeating that year of high school. With that hanging over your head you become conscious of where the chuck key is at, better to forget where you put it on the bench than have is tossed into a field or fly across the shop. Mr. Peters would let us make all sorts of mistakes, get away with all sorts of things, but that was the unforgivable sin. It didn't matter if it was a key in a drill chuck in a tail stock, same rule applied.
 

Bobv07662

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
A small hobbyist lathe will not scratch your itch for long. Bite the bullet and do whatever it takes to make room for at least a tool room lathe, you'll never regret it.
 

Cyborg

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
I have a South Bend 9A and constantly wishing I had something larger with more grunt. It gets used a fair amount and don’t know how I survived without one. The more basket cases you have the more it’s used.

7C3AA0D7-BBB7-4531-9CBD-B362EA247584.jpeg
 

brian gains

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
in the last couple of weeks there was a Myford/Boxford offered on either VMCC site or here for a very reasonable price, subject to condition.
Yes. 3 jaw chuck lathes just make round stock smaller with the option of it being bored. But having recently returned to using a lathe since school all I can say is it as obsessively engrossing as a 'new' motorcycle and with more available add on bits of kit than a Harley. That is all apart from mastering tool grinding, turning and feed speeds.
You find you consider every potential part purchase ; could I make that, how many set up operations?
Next stop a milling attachment.
Never an idle moment, what lock down?.
 

Chris Launders

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
I have a 1919 Hendey 8ft lathe, bough it from a local scrap yard nearly 40 years ago, I've done everything from 1/4"studs to machining a pair of JAP V-twin crankcases from new castings on it, never used the thread cutting though as the lead screw is damaged (never got round to fixing it) which is a shame really as it has a gearbox that will give 1-1/2 to 80 TPI. Couldn't do a fraction of the things I have without it.
It all depends on what you want to be doing.
 

mercurycrest

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
I didn't bring my Logan lathe when we moved to Wales and I miss it everyday. So far, I haven't bought a lathe because of limited space. The ones that fit are all crap with even crappier motors, drives, etc.. The Clatk actually has a capacitor start motor and a belt drive! The only thing I wonder about is the flat ways. You'll need to get every accessory listed for it and then some. Like Brian said:"You find you consider every potential part purchase ; could I make that, how many set up operations?" Damn, It Looks Good.... I want one!
 
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