On Feb 9, 2:10*pm, Joe Pfeiffer wrote:
Cydrome Leader writes:
I just got my hands on a sherline 4400 mini-lathe. I know how metal
behaves with a file/saw/hammer- just not with machine tools.

What's suggested around here?

The owner of Sherline, Joe Martin, has what appears to be a very good
book called "Tabletop Machining", ISBN 0-9665433-0-0. *I say "appears to
be" because I've read it and it all seems clear and seems to make sense,
but I have zero experience with a lathe so I can't really evaluate
whether the descriptions work in real life.

At MITRE I inherited a Sherline lathe and mill and "Tabletop
Machining" from a lab I cleaned out. (Bad omen for a technician --
labs turning into offices)

The book is excellent.

Aluminum is good for practice. You can get up to perhaps 1/4" aluminum
and brass rod from a welding supplier and 1/2" Al at a hardware store.
Hobby and model airplane stores have useful rod and tubing stock too.
PVC pipe behaves pretty well if properly supported. Lathes that small
are frustrating and disappointing on steel.

You will quickly learn that metal isn't nearly as stiff as you
thought.

jsw