"Boris Beizer" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Dave" wrote in message
oups.com...
Now that is something I would not think of, since what you are really
saying is that you can make flat surfaces. If you are making a flat
surface how do you decide whether to use the lathe or the mill?

Almost anything that can be done on a mill can be done on a lathe .. and
vice-versa. The choice is one of matching geometries. For example, while
one can turn things on a mill, you would be hard put to turn a 1/2"
diameter
by 24" long shaft on a mill. But a 1/2" thick by 24" diameter might be
do-able. Similarly, a rotary table is a slow and inconvenient way to
turn
things .. but suppose you have to turn only a partial circle. You can,
as
stated earlier, make flat surfaces on a lathe using a four-jaw chuck or
some
other holding device but it will get increasingly more difficult as you
progress and take far longer than the same operation on a mill. Also, to
mill a long item on a lathe would be difficult and tedious using a milling
attachment, or require a huge lathe. But the decision isn't difficult. If
it's mostly flat, you go for a mill. Mostly round, its the lathe. Also,
try threading on a mill without using taps or dies. With very really
modest amount of experience, and if you have both tools at your disposal,
it
is rarely a deep question.
The interesting question, though is how to machine things that
are
difficult on either a lathe or a mill ... a keyway slot in a pulley is the
first one that comes to mind --
snip

At that point you pull out a shaper :-)
- Carl

"Carl Hoffmeyer" wrote in message
...

"Boris Beizer" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Dave" wrote in message
oups.com...
Now that is something I would not think of, since what you are really
saying is that you can make flat surfaces. If you are making a flat
surface how do you decide whether to use the lathe or the mill?

difficult on either a lathe or a mill ... a keyway slot in a pulley is
the
first one that comes to mind --
snip

At that point you pull out a shaper :-)

The shaper guys owe me a thank you for giving them the straight line. The
only thing that keeps me from getting a shaper is the space. I'd have to
give up one of my mills to make room for the shaper.. but then having both a
horizontal and vertical mill, what do I need that drill press for?
Other than keyway slots and dovetails, the biggest advantage to the
hobbyist of a shaper is the ease of creating special bits .. which are
expensive for either horizontal or vertical mills unless you're willing to
use a fly cutter for everything.

Boris

-------------------------------------
Boris Beizer Ph.D. Seminars and Consulting
1232 Glenbrook Road on Software Testing and
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Quality Assurance

TEL: 215-572-5580
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------------------------------------------

difficult on either a lathe or a mill ...
a keyway slot in a pulley is the
first one that comes to mind --
At that point you pull out a shaper :-)

A broach would be my first choice!


Other than keyway slots and dovetails, the biggest advantage to the
hobbyist of a shaper is the ease of creating special bits ..

You know, I ordered a corner rounding endmill for a job. I could have
ground a bit for the shaper and saved a few bucks.. sigh. Oh well. next time.