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I found this on instructibles, I'm going to make a chuck like the one here. 100% Homemade Lathe

Marco321 wrote:I found this on instructibles, I'm going to make a chuck like the one here. 100% Homemade Lathe

Not bad, i would use lock nuts on the screws and i also would invest in a good centering tool.

Problems with this homemade lathe: Again, no speed control, wood could flex, hard to center work piece, durabilty, this thing probly wont last long.

When turning metal, a fair amount of stress is put on the machine.

Most lathe chucks will accept inside, -- (a smaller gripping range, work is totaly inside the chuck), and outside, -- (a bigger gripping range, but work piece can't slide through spindle, it is stopped by the jaws), type jaws. The normal use is to clamp down on your work piece. I have gripped some parts from the inside out, but the work has to be truely round or you get wobbel, and that is bad.

jrrdw wrote:

Marco321 wrote:I found this on instructibles, I'm going to make a chuck like the one here. 100% Homemade Lathe

Not bad, i would use lock nuts on the screws and i also would invest in a good centering tool.

Problems with this homemade lathe: Again, no speed control, wood could flex, hard to center work piece, durabilty, this thing probly wont last long.

When turning metal, a fair amount of stress is put on the machine.

Most lathe chucks will accept inside, -- (a smaller gripping range, work is totaly inside the chuck), and outside, -- (a bigger gripping range, but work piece can't slide through spindle, it is stopped by the jaws), type jaws. The normal use is to clamp down on your work piece. I have gripped some parts from the inside out, but the work has to be truely round or you get wobbel, and that is bad.

What are lock nut screws? How much would a centering tool be and what are they?

Lock nuts=Nyloc nuts i think, a centering tool would be a dial indicator. They are rather expensive (for a good one). You could get away without using a dial however it would take forever to set-up and you would have to have the patience of a nun.

Edit: Cost of centering tool- approx 100-150$

Novacastrian wrote:Lock nuts=Nyloc nuts i think, a centering tool would be a dial indicator. They are rather expensive (for a good one). You could get away without using a dial however it would take forever to set-up and you would have to have the patience of a nun.

Edit: Cost of centering tool- approx 100-150$

Thanks

I was basically going to use the makeshift chuck to put o-ring grooves in a piston and other things like that. Would it be alright for that?

There are a few different type lock nuts, as above mentioned, some are smash thread, (a chevy rocker stud nut), castle nuts, (a cotter pin is slid through notchs in the top), i was refering to useing a regular nut on the screw then tighten it agianst the brace holding the screw. You can get good dail gauges and magnetic stands from http://www.harborfreight.com you will spend approx. 30/35 dollars after shipping. There is all different types of centering tools, all different shapes and sizes. Google it.

jrrdw wrote:There are a few different type lock nuts, as above mentioned, some are smash thread, (a chevy rocker stud nut), castle nuts, (a cotter pin is slid through notchs in the top), i was refering to useing a regular nut on the screw then tighten it agianst the brace holding the screw. You can get good dail gauges and magnetic stands from http://www.harborfreight.com you will spend approx. 30/35 dollars after shipping. There is all different types of centering tools, all different shapes and sizes. Google it.

Oh ok i don't really want to buy much just to put o-ring grooves in a piston. Thanks anyway

Think about buying a cheap small lathe from Hafco or Ebay.
You won't regret spending a few hungie when you find the joys of a lathe
Well looked after your kids could be using it

Novacastrian wrote:Think about buying a cheap small lathe from Hafco or Ebay.
You won't regret spending a few hungie when you find the joys of a lathe
Well looked after your kids could be using it

Lol yeah, i want a lathe, but the man doesn't want me to have one, always taking my money or preventing me from working .

I use my pillar drill, its almost like it was made for the job..Just turn it on its side and its ready to roll, adjustable speed aswell.