Any Machinists Able To Answer Questions For a Newbie Buying a Lathe

[1reason]

Wood working and prepping offers plenty of time well spent with my kids. Lathed wheels I am willing to concede the work to someone who knows what they're doing.

Sure, and I find nothing wrong with buying wheels. I just thought it would be neat to work on a lathe with my three sons. I don't expect that we will make them as good as the pros, but with some things it's the individual's desire for a specific journey that matters.

If it turns out that it's not a good idea, we will probably just continue at our current rate and buy some parts and make others.

Thanks again

 

[1reason]

This hobby adds up quick. $850 for 2 lane track and timer. The only thing i have saved on is going to chinatown and buying craftsman drill press,bandsaw and miter saw for 200. Still not one car sent in......working on it.

You're not kidding!!

I'm looking at building a track and have spent many hours researching materials to do so (buying one isn't in the cards at this time).

I've bought a drill press, bandsaw, rotary tools (several), jig saw, counter top sander, miter saw, shop vac and a ton of little stuff. It's been a lot of fun (and frustration) though.

A lathe, if I can figure out how to use one (and I'm pretty good at figuring things out, especially with as helpful as everyone here is), seems like a logical next step and then I should be finished buying power tools (one can hope anyway).

 

[Guest]

I am with ya 1 reason.

The means ARE the ends.

For a scout race it could work out without stressing you, or your wallet too much.

To try to improve on the stuff John sells would be quite an undertaking.

 

[1reason]

As much as I hate to dissuade a person from buying tools;

If you are only using it for wheels I would say don't do it.

You will easily spend $1,500 and 1000 hours before making anything that resembles a Cheetah from outward appearances.

I think Stan is a brilliant, sweet man, but it is not like his videos. He only shows the very basics in order to true the outside edge.

When you look at a Cheetah next to a stock wheel then you really get an appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into it.

Thanks, I appreciate your insight and that's in part why I posted the question.

I don't think the wheels need to be as good as the top line professionals to qualify as a success though.

There's value in teaching my sons how to use the machine and make the wheels and if they are better than using the rotary tools and drill press, I think it's worth the consideration.

At $1500 though, it's probably not a wise choice even with the above reasons.

I guess I'm missing why it should cost that much (something I've said more than once over pinewood derby as the expenses climb)?

Am I wrong in thinking that a few tools for the lathe will be all I need for axle and wheel prep?

 

[1reason]

The 7x10 lathe from Harbor Freight is exactly what I have and it is just fine for making or modifying wheels. I am a do it yourself kind of guy and I would not be racing cars if I had to purchase everything. I do have a background in machine shop work that helps a lot, but I am sure if you have the desire you can learn to do this. Here is what you will find almost essential to make the lathe useful: Go to LittleMachineShop.com and buy the Quick Change
Tool Post Set by A2Z, part no. 2461. Cost is $99.95. Then add the Tool Bit Sharpening and Training Set, part no.4516 for $34.95. It has 6 pre sharpened and 5 un sharpened 1/4" tool bits and instructions for sharpening. It will also be helpful if you get their Mini-Lathe users guide - part no. 2247 for $5.95. You can also get some 1/8"x 2 1/2" individual tool bits Part no.1154 for $1.29 each. I like these a lot when working on the inside areas of wheels.
You will also need a bench grinder to sharpen the tool bits. To work on the wheels you can use the 3 jaw chuck that comes with the lathe. If you decide get the lathe and accessories contact me and I can give you more information by PM that you will need to properly mount your wheels, or make new ones from plastic bar stock. Hope this helps you make a decision.

Thanks very much, PM sent

 

[1reason]

I am with ya 1 reason.

The means ARE the ends.

For a scout race it could work out without stressing you, or your wallet too much.

To try to improve on the stuff John sells would be quite an undertaking.

Thanks for your reply. It never occurred to me before this thread that I would be trying to make better wheels than DD4H.

My objective was to make better wheels than on a drill press and dremel tool. Actually, to have my sons make better etc...

 

[jzarvey]

1reason,

I had the same idea a couple years ago after my son's first PWD (he is now a Bear). I worked in the machining industry for over 15 years, so I had some experience operating a lathe. The lathe I chose to buy for home use and teaching my son to turn his own wheels is a Taig II Micro Lathe with the power feed option and 3 jaw chuck. It also came with a tailstock drill chuck, live center, some presharpened toolbits, and toolpost/tool holder. At the time it was about $300 on e-bay.

For his wolf year we made super lightened wheels and won pack and districts. Sent the car into Mid-America and placed 13th (actually tied for 12th) overall in the Open Scout preliminaries. This year, we made our own wheels for Pack and District and won both. Due to time constraints, we purchased wheels from John for Mid-America. The result is that we came in 11th overall for the Open-Scout Oil division.

You can make wheels that will be competitive for Scout racing and will probably dominate at the Pack and District level. It sounds like you have a similar reason for buying a lathe as we did. Not looking to outperform the vendors, but to teach our children to be self-sufficient.

If you have any questions, PM me.

cycrunner,

I would be interested in learning the information you have on how you hold wheels and making them from scratch. If you would be so kind as to PM it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Crash Enburn]

This hobby adds up quick. $850 for 2 lane track and timer. The only thing i have saved on is going to chinatown and buying craftsman drill press,bandsaw and miter saw for 200. Still not one car sent in......working on it.

You're not kidding!!

I'm looking at building a track and have spent many hours researching materials to do so (buying one isn't in the cards at this time).

This might work for you: How to Build a 32 ft. Track for $20

 

[speed bump]

jzarey I like what you and 1reason are doing. Teaching your kids what hard work can do. Its not trying to be the best at it but doing your best at it. Time spent with the kids (priceless). My son 17 now makes hand made fishing jigs and sells them on the side for spare money. He just did a booth at a st. Jude fund raiser and sold 230 jigs!!! I like the smile on there face when they are done. PRIDE!!!/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif

 

[jzarvey]

speed bump,

That is awesome! The look on my son's face was priceless the first time he cut his own wheels. He was 7 at the time and with a lot of supervision by me and setting up the lathe to allow him to cut the wheels safely, it was a great experience for both of us.

1reason,

Something I didn't talk about in my earlier post was safety issues. A lathe has an unguarded, rotating spindle that you need to be very careful of. I am sure there are some videos on Youtube that talk about safety around a lathe, but the number one thing is wear safety glasses. No exceptions to that rule. Safety glasses are cheap. Eyes are priceless.

Number 2 safety rule is no long sleeves, long hair or loose fitting clothing around the lathe. It is dangerous because the hair or clothing could get caught around the workpiece and suck you into the machine.

None of the other stuff matters if someone gets hurt and these machines have been known to take fingers, eyes and even cause death if safety is not foremost in your mind.

 

[Chief]

Just a thought...Have you ever tried to see if there might be a trade school close that offers a machine shop class at night or something?? That way you could get a feel for it and try it out first without spending a ton of money up front to see if that is really what you want to do? Shouldnt cost more than a couple hundred bucks for the class??? Just a thought

 

[Guest]

There may be a Hackerspace in your area.
There is one in my home town that offers some classes for as little as $50

 

[cycrunner]

Yes safety issues are important. As to the rotating spindle on a lathe - the Central Machinery (Harbor Freight) 7X10 lathe that I have has a clear plastic shield that covers the 3 jaw chuck. It has a switch interlock that requires the cover to be down and over the chuck before you can start the lathe. I find this is a valuable safety feature on this lathe. because it is clear it doesn't interfere at all with operating the lathe. I found out the hard way, however, that if you open the shield while the spindle is rotating you will blow the motor fuze! Keep some extra fuzes on hand just in case you need one.

 

[Chief]

There may be a Hackerspace in your area.
There is one in my home town that offers some classes for as little as $50

What is a "Hackerspace"?

 

[Guest]

I recently became a member at this one near where I grew up.
http://www.connecticuthackerspace.com
It is a place where tinkers share space for tools.
They usually have classes on a range of topics for makers.
Some are more tech oriented (arduino and circuit boards)and some are more like machine shops.