Good times in the garage this weekend.
Saturday I gave the tired old lathe a little more love. While I was working on another project I just started it up and let it run for a while.
I had spindle speed roughly 1000 rpm, forward gears engaged, and gearbox set for 13 threads per inch to have the lead screw spinning at a good rate.
I just let is run for a while to warm up/ loosen up.
Good news is the treadmill motor setup seems quite happy. The SCR and bridge dissipate heat into the heavy frame of the lathe. No issues with heating.
Other good news is after a while the gear train bearings / bushings quieted down some, or maybe I went deaf, but it seems better.
Once I was done swapping rubber on the A Mod I turned off the lathe and slathered on some more rustoleum.
Attachment:
lathe 14.png
Attachment:
lathe 15.png
As of now, she's ready to do work.
There are a couple more things I want to do, but no real hurry.
First, buy a quick change tool holder. That's not a must have, but it is a nice to have. Will save a good bit of time when I'm actually doing work instead of thinking about work.
Second, make a back tray and paint it to match. That's to keep chips and cutting fluid contained. I don't really want to sling oil all over my garage walls.
Third, and WAAAY down the list would be a coolant pump / recirculation system, but that's a far distant thought.
Next up is help Briggs with his lathe conversion.