The Mini Lathe

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I have just indulged myself as a complete beginner by buying a Chester Conquest Mini Lathe as a present for my forthcoming birthday.

Regular Model Boats contributor Richard Simpson tipped me off to this new book on the mini lathe and how to use it etc. by Neil Wyatt.

**LINK**

Having got it I have to say that it is very informative, if a little daunting, and the text and photos explaining how to set it up and use it are very good indeed.

Looks like I have a lot to learn but hopefully with this book I will make some progress!

I have it set up in my small workshop and look forward to playing with it.

Colin

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

New Book by Neil Wyatt

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

At last, Colin!……..You've finally emerged from the primeval soup!

Welcome to the world of machinery

You'll find the lathe very useful for all sorts of jobs

Starting with sanding dowels and masts etc………..Making prop shafts and prop tubes……Bosses and bearings

Items made from brass are a doddle, but steel is a different kettle of fish……On a hobby lathe, it's a bit unpleasant with the red hot dwarf etc

You will need a few turning tools……..Loose tips preferred…….Taps and dies………Drill chuck and drills and a Slocomb centre drill for shaft ends

If your lathe is like my Chester lathe you will need a few low amp fuses…….eg……0.5 amp

should you overload the lathe…..The printed circuit board fuse will blow first……….Not the mains plug!

Just take your time and play about with simple jobs at first

The usual safeguards……Wear goggles, keep rags out of the rotating area and don't wear a tie

All the best…….Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Thanks Bob, yes, I have got a lathe just as everybody else seems to be diving into 3D printing!

I have got a good few of the accessories you mention so I will be having a bit of a play around with it but I'm in no rush. I want to understand the principles first.

I didn't see a red hot dwarf in the box though, he's probably lurking underneath something in the garage.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Ha! ha!……….This IPad is always trying to predict my typing!………..It should say swarf!

Would you believe it?……I typed Swarf and it came up with scarf!

Can it be turned off somewhere?

I'll really slip up one day!

Bob

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Working in Acetal or Nylon is also very easy with a mini-lathe, and it's worth considering if these materials can be used – nylon bearings are fine for me, particularly if you can make lots of replacements easily!

I found that an early purchase was an M2 taper die mount – ideal for threading prop shafts centrally. And with a knurling tool you can make good motor connectors out of some aluminium bar and thick-walled silicone tube. A set of measuring calipers is also handy for doing things by eye…

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I have got myself a small selection of brass, aluminium and acetal stock.

Colin

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Simple portholes can be made by selecting a suitable diameter acetal rod, burnishing the end, adding a rim of paint, then cutting a ledge and parting off…

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Colin, you'll never look back now you have a lathe and even if you never build that triple expansion marine engine and scotch boiler you will still wonder how you managed without it. Just being able to turn portholes and bearings to the size you need is great. I bought a small lathe about fifteen years ago hoping to get into engineering but it never happened- but I use it most weeks for small jobs and it always enhances my building.

It's a bit old now but I found a book by LC Mason very useful- I think it's called Using the Small Lathe and it was published by MAP- I don't think these things change very much.

Have fun,

Ian

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone – much appreciated.

Ian, yes those older books are still very relevant, how could they not be? The new one is nice because it has colour photos and text which relates to the actual machine sitting in front of me!

I gather it can be used for small wood items too, anybody got any tips for that?

Otherwise I think it's just a case of 'chuck it and see!'

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Colin

Wood turning is ok for turning on your lathe

You can either use the normal turning tool or fix a bar of metal in the tool post and use it as a rest for a wood chisel

You can use the tool post for flaring steam engine chimneys with a piece of round brass and oil lubrication

Also shown pulleys being turned

Bob

Edited By Bob Abell on 29/03/2016 21:28:38

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Thanks for that Bob, excellent photos.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The finished chimney flare

The process is called…..Spinning

Bob

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