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Author Topic: Mini Lathe Upgrades  (Read 71184 times)

Offline John Rudd

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #50 on: March 13, 2013, 05:21:12 PM »
Beer time......... :D :D :beer: :beer:

Glad you sorted it Eric.....
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Offline vtsteam

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #51 on: March 13, 2013, 05:27:42 PM »
Phew....Congrats!

 :headbang:
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #52 on: March 13, 2013, 05:29:11 PM »
Quote from: Brass_Machine on March 13, 2013, 04:07:17 PM
Nope. I don't have access to a variac or even really know what one is  :Doh:


Eric

 
Variac   ... variable transformer  ..
 
Mines like this one except mine is 6A not 3A
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Variable-Transformer-3A-240V-Closed-Type-Variac-3-Amp-CMV3E-1-/290653603522?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D6222352600605850834%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D290653603522%26
 
Plus a bridge rectifier ... for DC
 
Every Madmodder should have one ( or more, can't have too many toys   :lol: )
 
Dave BC
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Offline Chuck in E. TN

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #53 on: March 13, 2013, 05:41:23 PM »
Great News! Just goes to show, stubborness can be a virtue Eric!
Chuck
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Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #54 on: March 13, 2013, 06:39:52 PM »
Feeling really happy for you Eric!  :thumbup:

David D
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Offline AllenR13

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #55 on: March 19, 2013, 09:39:59 PM »
Eric,

Thanks to you and this thread, I think I can do this mod.  I ordered the 16" bed and it should be here Friday.  Just in time for a weekend of fun in the shop. :)

Again, thank you for starting this thread and inspiring me to give it a shot!

Allen
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #56 on: March 19, 2013, 10:33:00 PM »
Hi Allen,

It is pretty simple. You have to do the following (besides setup the rack and leadscrew)

1. Measure out and drill 2 mounting holes for the head stock. Mine was shorter.
2. Fab a motor mount, I chose to recreate the slots of the 7x10

Good luck! Do a project log!

Eric
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #57 on: April 01, 2013, 11:39:49 AM »
I just ordered another bit for the lathe. Apparently, Real Bull lathes have a spindle with a 4" face plate compared to the stock 3". I ordered a replacement from Amadeal just a few minutes ago.

Spindle



Mike's Workshop talks about the upgrade HERE

Eric
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #58 on: May 08, 2013, 04:06:00 PM »
I ordered another upgrade for the lathe. LMS Sells an extended cross slide kit for the little guy. LINK



The plan is to make tapered gibs for it.

I still have yet to install the new spindle. I am going to order a new set of tapered bearings first. Might as well since I am going to be in there anyway... I did replace the stock bearings a few years back with tapered ones when I added the metal transmission gear. They must have a few hundred hours on them by now...

I have been using the lathe. Seems to run OK. When I turn it on, the motor kinda surges for a minute like it is hunting for the RPMs. From what I have been reading, it seems like this might be common for the tiny lathe. At this point the thought of adding a new motor and/or controller might be a good idea. Not sure how much I want to spend as I probably could have bought an 8x14 by now.

I have seen the mod to add a KBLC-19PM-MOD to a mini mill to get better performance out of the stock motor. I am now wondering if I can use it with the lathe motor??

Anyone?

Eric
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Offline modeldozer

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #59 on: May 08, 2013, 06:38:16 PM »
Hi Eric,

What these lathes need more than anyting is torque, so any additional mechanical reduction is the way to go.  I have just finnished a jackshaft reducer for mine and it makes a world of differance.

Another big improvement is to replace the plastic spacer at the end of the spindle with a steel one.

Cheers
Abraham
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Offline sckenny

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #60 on: January 31, 2014, 04:51:15 PM »
where do stand on bed mod.want to do same.tks,ken
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Offline OzzyRob

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #61 on: February 12, 2014, 09:37:39 PM »
On my lathe I added 2 thrust bearings to each side of the non driven lead screw bearing.
Once I set the leadscrew "preload" it never needed adjusting again.
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #62 on: March 30, 2014, 01:37:28 PM »
Well, it is starting to warm up. I am going to get back on this in the next few weeks...

The continued plans are:

1. New 4" spindle and bearings
2. Tapered gibs on the saddle
3. Brass Gibs on the cross slide
4. Replace the single half nut with a true 2 half nut system. LMS
5. Tailstock Cam lock LMS
6. Saddle lock

I am also going to check the bed for parallelism and straightness. I was reading a page a few weeks ago where someone else did that. I know I have seen people machine the bed on a larger mill (don't have access) butt his person did it my filing and scraping.

Anyone recall seeing a page like that? Can't seem to find it again.

Eric
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Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #63 on: March 30, 2014, 02:26:40 PM »
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David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #64 on: March 30, 2014, 02:44:00 PM »
Nope, definitely a lathe. Definitely not a forum post. I had thought it was on gadget makers site, but can't seem to find it. This guy had a jig to hold a file to work the bed...
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Offline fcheslop

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #65 on: March 30, 2014, 06:01:13 PM »
Remember coming across the same site. It was a link from an American mini lathe site just cannot remember who it was.
Sorry
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Offline fcheslop

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #66 on: March 30, 2014, 06:04:53 PM »
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #67 on: March 30, 2014, 08:48:53 PM »
I had thought it was him, but alas, no it isn't. I just got a new laptop from work, so I can't find it in my history either... :bang:
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #68 on: March 30, 2014, 09:15:08 PM »
Found IT!

After an hour of searching or so, I found what I was looking for.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2014, 09:08:13 AM by Brass_Machine »
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Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #69 on: March 31, 2014, 02:13:05 AM »
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David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #70 on: March 31, 2014, 09:08:42 AM »
Yup. Fixed it David.
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Offline catch_22

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #71 on: May 22, 2014, 11:47:42 PM »
Hey great job on the lathe, looks pretty much how mine went, aside from the motor getting dropped  :Doh: Did you get a chance to try the new 100mm spindle yet?
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #72 on: May 23, 2014, 07:58:47 AM »
Not yet. I did replace the half nut/hook thing with a full half nut. It works so much better. A more positive engagement.

I still have to put the new spindle in, the extended cross slide and the tapered gibs. Just never enough hours in the day.
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Offline catch_22

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #73 on: May 23, 2014, 01:14:36 PM »
I also opted for the half nuts, I agree, they are much better. And the 20 tpi kit from LMS is also installed. I am ordering the materials for the saddle gibs as well, when I will get them built and installed is anyone's guess. Yea, definitely  not enough hours in the day.
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Mini Lathe Upgrades
« Reply #74 on: May 23, 2014, 02:01:11 PM »
Show us what you are doing. It can be of assistance to others (me!)

Thanks
Eric
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