Intro to the Metal shop: Lathe

Metal Shop

10:00am to 12:00pm on 10/7/2023

Every month on the first Saturday

Metal Shop

  Located: North-West corner of Xerocraft

  Accessible
  1 - 2 Workbenches

class LEADS

created 2 years ago
 

Instructor Name:     William May
Class Overview:

      This class is intended to cover lathe safety, basic metal lathe operations, and allows you to quickly create chips by making a part. 

The goal is to get you making something, so you use the largest possible number of different operations using the metal lathe, and can work towards creating something. The best way to learn to use a tool is to spin the dials and make chips while actually machining something!

      The part chosen for the class is a bushing. A bushing is installed in an operating part of a machine, and is designed to take the wear as the machine is used.  Nearly every machine made since the middle 1800's, uses the principle of bushings to serve as the wear points, making it possible to renew a machine by simply making and installing new bushings in existing parts, thus returning them to "like-new" at minimum expense and time. 

     The bushing we have designed for you to make will cover all of the following basic operations on the metal lathe:

  1. Facing the part.
  2. Center drilling to properly start a hole.
  3. Drilling for use of a reamer.
  4. Reaming to complete the hole to close tolerances
  5. Outer diameter machining to bring the external surface concentric with the internal reamed hole.
  6. Parting off of the component from the original material stock.
  7. Facing the parted end off, to make it parallel, and bring the bushing to its target length.

     In addition to the above operations, you will learn how to select and set up tools in the lathe toolholder and also in the tailstock, how to apply a file to a part to remove burrs, how to quickly and easily install stock in the lathe chuck for turning purposes, and learn about things such as keeping basic concentricity in a part, salvaging a part if mistakes are made or dimensions come out incorrectly, how to use a drill chuck in the lathe tailstock, the proper way to drill a hole, and many other minor procedures that will make it easy and fun to operate a lathe and make something useful. , 

     The course typically runs about 2 hours for 4 people to go through, but will be extended so that everyone gets to complete their part, with no rushing or pressure.  Each participant will go through EVERY step themselves, so they KNOW the basics of how to work with a metal lathe. 

     Once you have taken this course, your name will be entered on the "Trained" list, and you can operate this machine whenever you want. 

Question:  I want to take this intro course, but I really need to use the lathe for an item I am trying to make or repair. Is this possible?

      Answer:    Yes, indeed!  If you already have something that you need to use the lathe for, and want to combine your training with an opportunity to repair, complete, or alter a part you need, instead of making a bushing you can use your own work as your training project. 

Please contact the instructor at: williammay@q.com and we can talk about what you need to accomplish with your project, and what special items or tools might be necessary to successfully complete it.  I can supply any special tools needed if I know what they are before hand, as I have my own well-equipped shop.  We would run the rest of the students through, and you would be the last person in the class session, so if it takes longer, it does not impact any of the other students. Other students are also welcome to stay over and see how you complete your project. 

 

How to Learn More:

For those who really get hooked on lathe work, it is also a great step towards signing up for the basic machine tool course at Pima Community College.  Try out the "Introduction To The Milling Machine" course, or try a welding course at Xerocraft! If you then take a specific course at Pima Community College, you will get a VERY in-depth exposure to all the wonderful capabilities of machine tools!