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Thread: Some good fortune
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24th Mar 2019, 12:30 PM #1
Some good fortune
I was helping out an acquaintance with some laser cutting work, when I noticed a sad rusty metal mini lathe sitting on a pallet – so I asked if he was restoring it. He said no, when he moved up from Sydney, the tarp came loose on his trailer and water got in (he was driving through heavy rain) and he parked it in a corner of his workshop to look at later. Much later, so the rust had set in. But he has since replaced it and was going to take it to the tip. I said I might have time to restore it, and he said 'it's yours'. The machine is solid and the rust was mostly surface and after a good clean, all moving parts lubricated, and a bit of paint retouching, I now have a nice sturdy Hafco AL50GA metalmaster mini lathe. It seems to work fine, though as a newbie to metal lathe work I will be just taking a few cautious steps to begin with. The machine came with a few HSS carbide tipped tools which should be fine for the aluminium work I have in mind. There was no chuck key, so I ordered one from Hare and Forbes. He also gave me a Hafco mill/drill machine too which is in a bit worse condition – I'll post something up when I have it cleaned up and working.
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26th Mar 2019, 08:26 PM #2
Hi ijerry,
Welcome to to the MetalWork forum.
Good score on the lathe. You will be in fine company here.
Everybody seems willing to pitch in and help any one who needs a hand.
They are a pretty good mob here and you will enjoy the company here.
Ask questions about what you don't know about but try to give as much salient information with your particular inquiry.
Grahame
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26th Mar 2019, 08:59 PM #3Most Valued Member
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Did it come with a Tail Stock ?
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26th Mar 2019, 08:59 PM #4Golden Member
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Well done on the rust cleanup, the "after" picture looks good.
You are definitely off to a flying start, a lathe and a mill all at once.
Did the mill come with some bits and pieces or are you now looking for Vice, collett chuck, hold down clamps, angle plate, rotary table, drills etc etc etc ............. Its good to have a few accessories.
Bill
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27th Mar 2019, 12:49 AM #5China
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I have one of those just a older version, so long as you don't ask more than it can give it will serve you well, along the way you will discover little repairs and improvements
that are required, I have had mine for 15 years and no major problems
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27th Mar 2019, 03:13 PM #6Senior Member
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Welcome to the forum. Nice pickup.
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27th Mar 2019, 03:27 PM #7
Yes thanks - it came with a tailstock and a Jacobs chuck )
Cheers - Jerry57CB5483-74B7-4B1E-BA15-DA3F3F7BA91E.jpgLast edited by ijerry; 27th Mar 2019 at 10:48 PM. Reason: updated to add photo with tailstock
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27th Mar 2019, 03:34 PM #8
The mill came with a vice and a basic drill chuck, but no tools or chuck key - although my drill key works fine. I have ordered some drills for slot cutting and facing. My biggest issue with the mill is finding replacement concertina way covers – I found something online that might do the job when I cut it to size, but with this one, I'm aiming for functional rather than elegant )
I'll take the learning curve gently – and will add accessories as I see a need for them )
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27th Mar 2019, 03:42 PM #9
That's good to know - the machine seems quite sturdy for its size so hopefully, it will go well. I plan firstly on making a new knob for a hand wheel on the mill – to replace the broken plastic with an aluminium part.
Once both machines are up to spec I intend to get stuck into making some simple model steam engines and get more complex as my skills improve. Baby steps first though and always safety first!
Cheers- Jerry
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27th Mar 2019, 04:00 PM #10Banned
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- Jan 2019
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- Adelaide
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Elsewhere they are referred to as 9x20s. Quite a popular lathe with many internet sites, google 9x20 lathe and a heap of interesting add ons can be made.
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27th Mar 2019, 04:02 PM #11
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27th Mar 2019, 09:17 PM #12
Hi Jerry, Guys,
Nice lathe ! You mentioned way covers. I use silicon baking sheets on my lathe.
16-10-2018-02.jpg 16-10-2018-01.jpg 28-11-2018-013.jpg 28-11-2018-014.jpg
The sheet is secured under the chuck by two magnets and at the saddle end by a brass strip screwed to a piece of brass angle fastened using the wiper retaining screws. The wiper is still under there and I give it a squirt of oil every now and then to keep the felt wet. Notice that I have deliberately set the silicon sheet over the leadscrew, since the Myford doesn't have a cover over it. Again its one of the places that gets a squirt of oil.Best Regards:
Baron J.
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27th Mar 2019, 10:23 PM #13Diamond Member
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I have also seen split cow hide used as John has used silicon baking sheets on his Myford. It is strong, likes any oil spillage on it, and will pretty well last as long as the lathe (or the operator
Rob.
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28th Mar 2019, 01:35 AM #14Most Valued Member
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I was at Lamestllama's (Eric) place the other day and he had, what I thought a great idea, using a bit of "Annexe tracking" annexe tracking.jpgwith some thin rubber attached to it. The rubber was folded over with a piece of about 6mm diam rod/dowell etc, in the middle then that was inserted inside the tracking.
Easily replacable if needed and solid.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
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28th Mar 2019, 10:23 AM #15
Thanks for all the responses and likes - and special thanks to BaronJ, Ropetangler and KBs PensNmore for your great suggestions – I think BaronJ's version might be the one I go with - especially for the lathe.
I've orderd some concertina rubber for the mill and will use the existing mounts there to solve that one. As for the lathe - I hadn't thought about way covers for that but seeing the idea for also covering the leadscrew I think I'll do that for the lathe. I have some angle aluminium that should work well for that and I can get strong magnets easily enough (might even have a couple lying around )
Cheers - Jerry
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