Author Topic: Mini Lathe Upgrades (Read 59408 times)

Brass_Machine · « **on:** February 17, 2013, 10:43:27 PM »

I have finally settled up any long hanging projects have started to get on with my shop upgrades. I hope this one is the start of many.

I am going to start with my mini lathe. I had started out with a mini lathe that I bought from Harbour Freight. As one of my 1st machine tools, it has been through a lot of aluminum and steel. Unfortunately, it leaves quite a bit to be desired. I have a laundry list of mods that are going to happen to this lathe.

1st thing will be to upgrade the tiny bed. 7x10 is actually a lie... 7x8 is more like it. I happened to come across a sale at LMS for a 16" lathe bed. Unfortunately it is for their hi torque lathe and not for any other of the Chinese lathes. Price was good... so challenge accepted.

This is the bed:

Old lathe:

Off we go!

Eric

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2013, 11:01:19 PM »

Tonight I stripped the mini lathe down to see what I have to work with.

Side by side:

The new bed is actually 8" longer than the old one.

Now we get into the hurdles.

The 1st. The headstock mounting holes are not the same. Easy to rectify however.

The 2nd issue. The mounts for the motor are not the same either.

Decisions...

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2013, 11:09:48 PM »

So the official upgrade bed kit from LMS comes with a different style motor mount.

This bed doesn't have the appropriate holes for that one either.

Some of the options:

1. Do a little work with the mill and machine the appropriate holes for stock mounting.
2. Drill out the holes for the above mount.
3. Custom motor mount.

Pete49 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2013, 11:18:35 PM »

Go for a custom mount. That way you can make it an exact fit and attach it as you want. I'll be watching this rebuild with interest
Pete

andyf · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2013, 04:28:10 AM »

Hi Eric,

It will be interesting to see how you get on. I gather from the Yahoo 7x12 Group that the headstock for the "Hi Torque" variant is longer than the "traditional" one, and this is reflected in the spacing of the holes for the fixing bolts in your photos. As you say, not a big job to drill new holes and bung up the redundant ones.

I also understand that the brushless motor in the Hi Torque version may be shorter than the traditional brushed motor. Do you reckon your old motor will fit in the space provided, lengthwise? Even if it doesn't, I'm sure you will be able to devise a way of mounting it futher outboard, rather than half tucked under the bed.

Andy

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2013, 07:45:58 AM »

Hi Eric.
Nice to see someone else tackling mini lathe Modding!

Custom motor mount, definitely. Even if it's only a cradle to hold it more firmly.

Guess you've already seen my Mods....... http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,7560.0.html

I can also thoroughly recommend the "gearing" down pulley/ belt mod. I do most of my machining in Hi gear, now.

Good luck. Keep the pics coming!

David d

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2013, 09:21:05 AM »

Quote from: andyf on February 18, 2013, 04:28:10 AM

...
I also understand that the brushless motor in the Hi Torque version may be shorter than the traditional brushed motor. Do you reckon your old motor will fit in the space provided, lengthwise?
...

Hi Andy,

Yup, the motor I have does fit. The space is actually the same in size, just different mounting holes.

Eric

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2013, 09:50:50 AM »

Hi David,

I have been thinking about re-gearing it. If at least only to be able to use standard metric metric belts.

I am also planning on modding the cross slide. Tapered gibs and perhaps the extended travel cross slide conversion from LMS.

I would like to get the realbull 4" spindle as well.

Eric

vtsteam · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2013, 09:52:27 AM »

Looking forward to following this thread, too!

Any plans for the old bed casting? Might make an interesting project in itself.

Rob.Wilson · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:13:21 AM »

Good to see you in the workshop Eric

I will be watching

Rob

andyf · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2013, 11:17:38 AM »

Eric, I'm not sure if they stock spares, but these folk:
< http://www.bigdogmetalworks.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=779&idcategory= > import Real Bull lathes into the US, and as you will see from that link their 7x14 has a $2 spindle flange. Might be worth enquiring if they can supply a spindle, to save on shipping over from the UK.

Andy

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2013, 06:09:47 PM »

Got a little bit of time this afternoon to tinker.

I marked up and drilled out the new headstock mounting holes...

I ended up have to drill out the last hole a bit over sized. I mixed up my measurements a hair. Not really a big deal, it gives me a tad bit of adjustment. See? It fits!

I lined up the new rack. Transferred the mounting holes and drilled them out. Flipped the rack and used it as a tap guide.

Turned out well.

Not much, but some progress.

Eric

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2013, 06:15:53 PM »

I also ran over to McMaster Carr and picked up a few things. Mainly some drill bits and some extra m3 .5 bolts (the new rack requires 5 and the old rack only has 3). The main thing I picked up was the stock to start fabbing up some tapered gibs for the cross slide.

Eric

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2013, 06:25:12 PM »

Looking at the pictures, I am reminded I need to make a decision. What color to I paint this thing when I am done??

Ideas?

Eric

dsquire · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2013, 08:35:48 PM »

Eric

It looks like now that you hit that big 4"O" you have got a fire under your butt. Looks good to see you out in the shop keeping busy. I'll be keeping tabs on you.

Cheers

Don

PS: 4"O" = 4000 posts

AllenR13 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2013, 11:40:17 PM »

Thank you for posting this mod!!!

I have a 7x10 and want to upgrade, but 14" didn't seem to be worth the $ and effort for what I would get. A 16" upgrade is worth it.

I look forward to the rest of your posts.

Allen

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2013, 11:59:47 PM »

Quote from: AllenR13 on February 18, 2013, 11:40:17 PM

Thank you for posting this mod!!!

I have a 7x10 and want to upgrade, but 14" didn't seem to be worth the $ and effort for what I would get. A 16" upgrade is worth it.

I look forward to the rest of your posts.

Allen

Hi Allen,

For $99 dollars, it definitely is worth it (well to me). From what it appears, if you are doing are just doing a swap, it is pretty straight forward. I plan to do some other mods as well, so it might take me a bit. I figure a worst case scenario will be for me to buy that motor mount I referenced in a previous post (if I don't make one).

The 16" bed is actually 8" longer than the 7x10. I figure I will be able to get some good use out of it now... no more finagling to work on something over 6" long.

I would say go for it Allen

Eric

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2013, 11:41:35 AM »

Quote from: vtsteam on February 18, 2013, 09:52:27 AM

Looking forward to following this thread, too!

Any plans for the old bed casting? Might make an interesting project in itself.

No plans. I will probably sell it. I will also be upgrading my mill after this. In the process of the upgrade, I will have a column, base and saddle left over... That will become a project.

Eric

andyf · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2013, 12:35:16 PM »

Quote from: Brass_Machine on February 18, 2013, 11:59:47 PM

...... I figure a worst case scenario will be for me to buy that motor mount I referenced in a previous post (if I don't make one) .....

Eric

Eric, I haven't seen the items involved myself, but the word on the 7x12 Mini-lathe Group is that the new mount won't fit the old motor (and vice versa) so you will probably need to make a new one unless your existing mount can be

modded to suit the new bed.

Andy

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2013, 12:53:41 PM »

Hi Andy,

I am actually talking about the mount that is designed for the old motor. It is included with the 14" bed upgrade for the old motor.

It looks like I would have to add the mounting holes for it to the new bed. The spot for the motor is the same size as the one on my old bed. There is a picture over on HMEM where Chuck fellows put the same mount on his motor (same as mine).

Eric

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2013, 08:19:02 PM »

Well... I dropped the motor

Thankfully, the only thing I broke was the pulley. Just made a LMS order, got a new pully and the motor mount for the 14" upgraded bed.

Eric

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #21 on:** February 20, 2013, 02:19:38 AM »

Quote from: Brass_Machine on February 19, 2013, 08:19:02 PM

Well... I dropped the motor

Thankfully, the only thing I broke was the pulley. Just made a LMS order, got a new pully and the motor mount for the 14" upgraded bed.

Eric

Not a metric metric one Eric?

Incidentally. Don't forget the taper bearings, and the metal rear spacer.......

David D

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2013, 09:03:17 AM »

Quote from: Stilldrillin on February 20, 2013, 02:19:38 AM

...
Not a metric metric one Eric?
...

Well I deserved that! I didn't really explain myself earlier. What I meant by standard metric belt, was something that I could buy from McMaster Carr. When I needed to replace the belt before, I tried to get a metric replacement. For some reason, none of the metric belts (nor imperial for that matter) would fit. So I imagine that the Chinese lathes were using there own version of a metric belt... and not a 'standard' metric belt.

I did the tapered bearings when I replaced the belt. I also have a metal gear on the spindle (broke the plastic one).

What is the metal rear spacer??

Eric

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2013, 09:17:53 AM »

Quote from: Brass_Machine on February 20, 2013, 09:03:17 AM

What is the metal rear spacer??

Eric

This one Eric....... http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,7643.msg81872.html#msg81872

The original one's plastic. Allowing a little flex, between the bearing tapers, when a fair cut is applied.

David D

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2013, 09:22:35 AM »

oooo. I like that! I will add that to the list!

News:

Author Topic: Mini Lathe Upgrades (Read 59408 times)

Rob.Wilson