"Ed Huntress" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 29 Mar 2018 10:17:49 -0400, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

"Gerry" wrote in message
. ..
On Wed, 28 Mar 2018 04:18:05 GMT, Rick
wrote:

replying to Mike Henry, Rick wrote:
Hello I was wondering if you know if the 5320 can be used for
woodworking or
is it just a metal lathe
A lathe is a lathe is a lathe whether you are turning titanium or
marshmallow

I found cheap second-hand Morse #2 cup and spur centers to hold wood
in my 10" South Bend metal lathe, though a chuck holds as well or
better. The standard conical tailstock center is likely to split the
wood. HSS bits cut wood easily if not very smoothly. You may have to
make your own tool rest to support wood turning chisels. If the wood
isn't dry the chips can discolor the exposed bare steel in minutes.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-Duty-...-/291814642780
-jsw


First, I think that Rex's lathe is a lot newer than he thinks.
Clausing was making the 5300-series, including the 5320, at least
until the mid-'50s.

It has a roller-rearing or ball-bearing spindle, which is better for
turning wood than our plain-bearing SBs, Jim. BTW, SB recommends
loosening the spindle-bearing caps if you're going to turn wood with
it. I never did so with mine, because I don't want to screw up its
near-perfect clearnaces for metalworking.

Rex, I turn wood and other materials in my SB, and it works fine. It
was once a popular machine for patternmakers, who make very accurate
pieces out of wood to use in casting patterns.

As others have said, it doesn't turn fast enough to get really clean
cuts in wood. I've ground some HSS tools to skew-cut wood (and cork;
I've used them for turning fishing-rod grips) and they cut pretty
clean, but they're limited in the geometry they'll cut.

Keep your cutting tools very sharp and just anticipate that you're
going to have to do some sanding to get a good finish.

--
Ed Huntress

I'd use my metal lathe to fit a wooden tool handle to a shop-made
ferrule, for example, but not to make furniture. For that I would
reassemble my Shopsmith.

-jsw