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  1. #1
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    Default Lathe tooling and accessories for a beginner

    Thanks to all that helped me select a lathe in this thread https://metalworkforums.com/f65/t208148-lathe-2022-a

    I am finalsing the order for a AL-336 from Hare & Forbes and want to know what else I should get.

    Below is a list of things I think I want but not sure exact item to buy. I believe the lathe uses 16mm tooling.

    Any suggestions for these or other things I may have missed let me know.

    HSS square bits
    Parting bit
    Carbide bits
    Quick change tool post
    Boring bits
    Live center
    Drill chuck

  2. #2
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    Default

    HSS square bits- 6mm or 8mm for most work. Anything bigger takes forever to grind unless you have a beast of a grinder. You might use a bigger one for the odd form cutting bit.

    Parting bit- the US made cobalt HSS ones sold by Eccentric Engineering are fabulous. Mounted in an angled holder, they will save you a lot of grief.

    Quick change tool post- An absolute must. I suspect BXA size for that lathe, but don’t quote me.

    Live center- you can’t live without one. I recently got one with interchangeable tips and it’s excellent.

    Drill chuck- I have two keyless chucks: 0-6mm for small bits. 1-16mm for big ones. Vertex brand.

    Lots of other tooling available, but depends what you want to do with your lathe. Restoring a car will require different tooling to model building.
    Chris

  3. #3
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    Default

    The lathe uses 12mm tooling, you'll find that under Specifications section.
    As you're spending quite a bit of money on the lathe, ask them what sort of deal can you get on these; live centre https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/C052 and this set of 7 cutting tools, get extra tips as I found they're not really the best, but then maybe that's my use of them, https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/L0099
    There may be better quality tips to suit these Holders, I don't know, hopefully someone will chime in with better details of the tips.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #4
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    Default

    H&F are way over priced honestly, shop on eBay from either Australian sellers or from overseas sellers at a further reduction, and there is also AliExpress.

    I usually have over 30 order's for all sorts of things coming from AliExpress on my account and now rarely buy from eBay unless it's larger things located here.

    You could spend $1000 at H&F for tooling and have say 8 tools, eBay 20-30, AliExpress 50 plus tooling.

    I can buy a 16mm turning tool with 10 inserts for $30 on eBay or Ali. You get around 3 working faces (depending on style) on each inserts, so that's 30 faces all up for $30 with a free tool.

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  5. #5
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    Default Measuring

    Hi

    All of the above is good advice + you might need measuring tools. I have two of the SHAHE 150mm digital calipers bought from AliExpress , they have been excellent calipers . You can pick up used micrometers i.e. M&W brand on epay . I prefer the older brands when it comes to dial gauges and DTI.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    Hi

    All of the above is good advice + you might need measuring tools. I have two of the SHAHE 150mm digital calipers bought from AliExpress , they have been excellent calipers . You can pick up used micrometers i.e. M&W brand on epay . I prefer the older brands when it comes to dial gauges and DTI.
    Totally agree.
    I actually use the $13 dollar dial indicators for lathe 4 jaw setup etc as there good enough for that.

    I have probably 12 or more quality indicators and test indicators that live in the cupboard and get used when needed, the cheap ones just sit on the tailstock with the mag base or the mill quill and it wouldn't bother me if I accidentally broke one, which I have done in the past.

    It was a good point about measuring gear, you could be pretty well set up to start off for under $200 from AliExpress.

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  7. #7
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    Default

    Hello Amused

    This may not be the cheapest but I would go this way;

    https://www.eccentricengineering.com...nd-tool-holder
    Watch video at bottom of page.

    https://www.eccentricengineering.com...d-parting-tool
    Watch video at bottom of page.

    Boring Bar

    I would recommend a Keyless chuck.

    Morse taper drill set.

    Get a good live centre.

    Measuring equipment such as micrometer.

    I would not get a quick change tool post to start with. Once you have done a bit you can then decide what extra tooling you want and if you want one.

    I would not buy anything else to start with. This will get a lot of basic jobs done.
    Once you develop your skills you may need more. You will be well positioned to make choices and buy as needed or if a bargain comes up.

    Steve

  8. #8
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    Default

    I second the diamond tool holder, mine is probably on the machine 50% of the time

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  9. #9
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    Default

    A lot of good advice above. In regards to a live centre I would suggest looking at an extended point centre over a standard point live centre or get both if money allows. I would suggest a pipe centre (bull nose) as well. I know the live centre set has a pipe centre, but it's not that big. As Dave J said shop around for tooling and you will save a lot of money. I've been buying tooling for my Turret Mill mostly from AliExpress such as face mills, carbide inserts and arbors and have saved a lot of money. The quality has been good, but I do look around on there and don't just buy the first ones that I see.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  10. #10
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    Default

    Another thumbs up for the diamond tool holders. Make sure you buy both the right hand and the left hand holders. The right hand is the one that will see most use but from time to time you will need the left hand for a particular job. My left hand tool holder sits in the tool drawer most of the time but I used it yesterday to complete a job that I couldn't do any other way.

  11. #11
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    Default Shopping List

    Guys, Thanks for the great feed back. Will look into AliExpress

    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    The lathe uses 12mm tooling, you'll find that under Specifications section.
    Kryn
    This was discussed in the lathe thread. Multiple people said it is 16mm and both suggested QCTP they suggest are 16mm. I will confirm before ordering

    I want to start with HSS or carbide cutting tools to start with so will definatley get the Eccentric Engineering bits

    I already have the following
    200mm verniers
    50mm micrometer
    Dial gauge and stand.
    MT2 drill set

    Shopping list so far
    Live centre https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/C052
    MT sleeve so I can use my MT2 drills https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/D422
    Extended Live centre https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/C0635
    Diamond tool kit https://www.eccentricengineering.com...kit-p178588809
    EE Parting tool holder https://www.eccentricengineering.com...kit-p178588809
    EE Sharpening jig https://www.eccentricengineering.com...des-p178383140

    Questions
    What size parting blade/blades should I buy?
    Suggestions on the drill chuck, Is the hare forbes ones alright?
    Thoughts on a quick change tool post?
    Thoughts on 5C collets?

  12. #12
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Amused View Post
    Questions
    What size parting blade/blades should I buy?
    I mainly use 2 and 3.2 mm blades.
    A thicker blade is good to start learning with as it's less likely to snap then you can graduate to thinner blades.
    I also use pieces of hack saw blades make very thin blades to part Plastic/Al and brass as they waste less material.

    Suggestions on the drill chuck, Is the hare forbes ones alright?
    I've bought 3 keyless chucks (my MW lathe WW lathe and Drill press all have them) from McJing.
    https://mcjing.com.au/engineering/chuck-arbor.html
    A jaw on one of chucks snapped on first use but McJing replaced the whole chuck immediately - I've had these for more than 10 years - all still good

    If you want to get something a little better in quality, the last chuck I bought was from CTC tools
    https://www.ctctools.biz/keyless-dri...arbor-1pc-l18/


    Thoughts on a quick change tool post?
    Thoughts on 5C collets?
    I've bought all my collets and chucks (ER16/20/32) from CTC tools - they cost a bit more and the shipping is on the ouch side but the quality is good. They're a wierd setup. Its a Hong Kong Business but they ship out of Denmark???

    I bought my QCTP and holders, boring bar sets and carbide sets from ebay/aliexpress etc

  13. #13
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Amused View Post
    Shopping list so far
    Live centre https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/C052
    Extended Live centre https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/C0635
    Why both?
    Chris

  14. #14
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    Default Live Centre

    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    Why both?
    It was suggested a few posts previous.

    I can see the sense in the extended point but figured there would be times I would want more precision/rigidity that a normal live centre could offer.

    Happy for feed back.

  15. #15
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    I've had the standard ones forever along with dead and half centres, then probably 10-12 years ago I bought the live centre set with different type centres and cone centres etc.

    About 2 years ago I bought the extended centre for the purpose I was sick of having to turn the toolpost to stop my carbide tools hitting the standard one between centres and the carbide threading tool hitting when doing smaller long threads even like the 5/8 10 ACME leadscrew I made around 8 months ago.

    For those jobs I need it for clearance, otherwise I just use the standard one.





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