Well, Its finally setup and turning. A garage sale $50 atlas/craftsman plain
bearing 618, turned into a long project. New spindle bearing (sintered
bronze) were needed (and homemade!!), as well as a full cleaning. The ways
are worn more near the chuck, then near the tailstock, but then again, its
an old lathe.... A couple of new belts, a fabricated 90vdc motor / mount, a
KBR controller and she runs smooth!!! Now to adjust her up for smooth and
square cutting (had a slight taper on the first cut)... The chuck runs with
..002 runout on the outside shell. I haven't checked the runout on a work
piece yet, but Ill bet it will be very tight!!!!


I've never run a lathe before, never owned one before, but it sure has been
fun. I've been doing all my own work, with help from the Google archives of
this group and other internet resources.... The wife says I am drawn to
anything that is shine, lights up or goes around.. 2 out of three aint bad
for this old lathe!!!!

bob in phx

"Bob in Phx" wrote:

Well, Its finally setup and turning. A garage sale $50 atlas/craftsman plain
bearing 618, turned into a long project.

[snip]

Congratulations on getting your lathe running. Anyone that buys old iron
that doesn't enjoy working on machines has a hole in his head. Every step
of getting my acquisitions going has often been heartbreak followed by the
thrill of the challenge. Sorta warped but I bet you get it.


I've never run a lathe before, never owned one before, but it sure has been
fun. I've been doing all my own work, with help from the Google archives of
this group and other internet resources.... The wife says I am drawn to
anything that is shine, lights up or goes around.. 2 out of three aint bad
for this old lathe!!!!

Your poor wife. She has no idea of what you are going to be bringing home
next.

What are you planning to make in the near future?

Wes

what to make firstHUMMMM

I have a 1940's console radio (tube powered!!) that has station buttons. Of
course, time has taken its toll on the buttons. So, the first project will
be new buttons. The are cylindrical, and attach to a flat shaft that moves
in and out. The idea is to make the O.D (with a flange at the bottom), then
drill them out, then add a half circle of the same material, then drill and
tap for a set screw... I only need 8 of them LOL... all the same size etc...
should be a fun little project. I am thinking of plastic, but I might just
try brass, because the rest of the face plate is brass, or may be
copper...or.......

and yes the wife does understand all about my "issues".... I just plain like
to fix things... its what I do in my professional life and what I like to do
at home... Plus, although no one understand this any more, it saves
MONEY!!!!!!

bob in phx.
"Wes" wrote in message
...
"Bob in Phx" wrote:

Well, Its finally setup and turning. A garage sale $50 atlas/craftsman
plain
bearing 618, turned into a long project.

[snip]

Congratulations on getting your lathe running. Anyone that buys old iron
that doesn't enjoy working on machines has a hole in his head. Every step
of getting my acquisitions going has often been heartbreak followed by the
thrill of the challenge. Sorta warped but I bet you get it.


I've never run a lathe before, never owned one before, but it sure has
been
fun. I've been doing all my own work, with help from the Google archives
of
this group and other internet resources.... The wife says I am drawn to
anything that is shine, lights up or goes around.. 2 out of three aint bad
for this old lathe!!!!

Your poor wife. She has no idea of what you are going to be bringing home
next.

What are you planning to make in the near future?

Wes

My favorite part of this hobby is finding old small metal lathes and
restoring them. I just finished a 618, and sent it to a good home. Have
done several AAs, a 10" Atlas or two, and an Enco.

Enjoy your new lathe

Bob in Phx wrote:
Well, Its finally setup and turning. A garage sale $50 atlas/craftsman plain
bearing 618, turned into a long project. New spindle bearing (sintered
bronze) were needed (and homemade!!), as well as a full cleaning. The ways
are worn more near the chuck, then near the tailstock, but then again, its
an old lathe.... A couple of new belts, a fabricated 90vdc motor / mount, a
KBR controller and she runs smooth!!! Now to adjust her up for smooth and
square cutting (had a slight taper on the first cut)... The chuck runs with
.002 runout on the outside shell. I haven't checked the runout on a work
piece yet, but Ill bet it will be very tight!!!!


I've never run a lathe before, never owned one before, but it sure has been
fun. I've been doing all my own work, with help from the Google archives of
this group and other internet resources.... The wife says I am drawn to
anything that is shine, lights up or goes around.. 2 out of three aint bad
for this old lathe!!!!

bob in phx