"amdx" wrote in message
...

I have one of the Harbor Freight 7 x 10 lathes.
I have a bicycle seat post that I want to reduce the diameter by 0.025".
The spindle head is to small to accept the post, the bed is to short to
use the tail stock.
Any clever ideas how I could use this lathe to do the job. The post is
aluminum.
I took it to a machine shop, he laughed and said, "I've already spent
more time on this than the part is worth."

Mikek

Get an extended bed from Little Machine Shop and turn it into a 7x14?

If you are comfortable with it you might be able to make an adjustable V
support to go on in place of your tail stock. Then turn a tapered mandrel
in the chuck, and drill and thread a hole in the middle. then gentley tap
the post onto the mandreal, run a piece of all thread thru it, and put a
washer and a nut on the end. Now adjust your V support to hold the post
straight, and turn the end that's on the mandrel with light passes until its
the correct size.

Of course then it will be weaker and might break on you moving up the
schedule for your next rectal exam.