Early Access Video: The Real Lathe (pt 1)
Added 2018-10-04 14:07:23 +0000 UTCFriends:
I've been teasing it for a while, but it's done and it's ready.
I've built the first major components of the lathe: the bed, ways, and headstock. I ran it. It didn't kill me. It didn't self-destruct.
Win.
This was a lot harder than I was expecting (like every other project), but it was also incredibly rewarding. I've always felt that if you really want to understand how a tool works, you should build it. I've built a bunch of handplanes, and boy, I really get how those things work.
A lathe is about 100 times harder to build, but I love machine tools and this project is worth the effort. One of my greatest dreams is to own a metal lathe and this project will help prepare me for restoring or fixing whatever cheap old lathe I eventually buy. I already understand so much more about bearings, spindles, radial and axial thrust, and spindle speeds.
Next time, I'll be turning a whole mess of pulleys for this thing. I have a pretty complicated counter-shaft in mind and I'll need 2 big step-pulleys and at least 4 individual pulleys. Ought to be interesting.
As always, thank you so much for your support. I would not be making this without my Patrons.
Stay safe!
--Rex
Comments
Somehow I managed to spell Matthias incorrectly. Oops, sorry about that.
James Kison
2018-10-11 01:57:37 +0000 UTCThe pipe ends come threaded, so your plan would be easy to implement. I can't say whether or not it would improve or simplify construction. It's a good idea. As to the bowl stuff, I think Matias' chuck is perfectly good, but not really suited to the larger work I envision doing with this lathe. I think I'll have a few better solutions for bigger work. Stay tuned!
Rex Krueger
2018-10-09 23:28:51 +0000 UTCWould it be counter productive to have threaded the pipe and screwed a flange onto each end and secured it to the wood? I'm enjoying this project as i have a vintage craftsman lathe but i don't have the piece to turn a bowl with, all i can turn are simple table legs and similar shapes. Matias has a lathe build, and maybe i'll make a chuck like he made, but now i'm going to wait and see what your solution is as well.
James Kison
2018-10-09 19:09:28 +0000 UTCFantastic! I'm delighted that you like it. Especially the editing. When I went to put the whole video together, it was just a mess; not coherent, way too long, etc. I spent two days re-shooting and narrating to fix the structure and get it watchable. Glad it paid off!
Rex Krueger
2018-10-07 11:20:19 +0000 UTCbeautiful! excellent video, as always :) editing was top notch, the concrete-hammer was really funny! that's exactly why I love your channel so much. good luck with the rest of the build!! looking forward to pt. 2
George B
2018-10-06 20:49:46 +0000 UTCWhat a lovely thing to say. "You're doing it right" was the OPPOSITE of what I was thinking while making the thing.
Rex Krueger
2018-10-04 17:58:17 +0000 UTCNice job, Rex. I especially like how clearly you show your mistakes or missteps. Half of this kind of work is about trouble-shooting, about having the right attitude and know how to respond to problems, especially unanticipated ones. You're doing it right.
John Laudun
2018-10-04 16:10:54 +0000 UTC
