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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

How to check out a Lathe

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Chris(WA)

10-11-2004 19:26:14




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Had a friend offer me a lathe tonite. What do I check to tell if it is still accurate and not worn out? Any way to tell without cutting something with it? The deal is good enough that I will probably get it no matter what but I have always wondered how to check out one that was not hooked up so it could be operated.




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Britt

10-13-2004 19:04:27




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 Re: How to check out a Lathe in reply to Chris(WA), 10-11-2004 19:26:14  
In addition to all of the other fine suggestions, after you get your prize home, take some time and set it up correctly. If it is a floor model, it should be preferably mounted on a concrete floor with machinery pads under all floor contacts. (Usually four but bigger lathes can have several.)
Then it is extremely important to acurately level the lathe. (Use a machinist"s level, not a carpenters level.)Level it both ways. Then check it for twist. Check for level at both ends of the ways. You should then recheck the lathe for level and twist about every 6 months from then on. Lathes with longer beds are more suceptable to twist than the shorter models, but ALL are susceptable. Several years set up on an uneven floor can put a permanent twist in even the heaviest lathes.
You would be supprised at how the level and twist can change, even when set up on concrete. Whatever you do, don"t set the lathe across a crack in a concrete floor. When I set up a machine shop in Texas several years ago, we poured a special pad under the 24" by 109" engine lathe. I recall that it was 18" thick and was filled with steel reinforcing rod. We went to the extreme because we were turning eccentric shafts for vibrating screens. That lathe had to be bolted down to keep it from moving. Some of the eccentric shafts weighed almost a ton. If your shop has a wood floor, then I would suggest that you be very careful on how much weight that you place on the floor. Possibly a steel plate will distribute the weight over a large area. Even so, you would have to make sure that the floor is capable of supporting all that weight. With a wood floor you will have to check for level & twist much more often.
Bench mounted lathes still require a very sturdy bench and also need to be checked for level and twist. A lathe with a just slight twist can really cause havoc on shaft work. As with any power tool, be careful and use safety glasses, etc. Always set up a lathe with a panic kill button. The kind that you can slap with your hand to kill it. Always keep in mind where the kill switch is so you don"t have to think about it if you need to shut down in a hurry.

Use caution out there & Be Safe Remember, a lathe can HURT you!!
Don"t become known as Stubby or Ole One Arm.

Britt

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Chris(WA)

10-12-2004 21:59:41




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 Re: How to check out a Lathe in reply to Chris(WA), 10-11-2004 19:26:14  
Thanks Guys! I will let you know how it looks after I go look at it this weekend.



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JMS/MN

10-12-2004 00:32:36




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 Re: How to check out a Lathe in reply to Chris(WA), 10-11-2004 19:26:14  
A good machinist will never lay any steel across the ways- so they should not have any gouges or nicks in them. The cross slides should have adjustable gibs, with enough adjustment left to snug them up. Even if the lathe is not under power, a dial indicator can show how much slop is in the headstock- ie bad bearings, etc. Just push against it after the indicator is set up.



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Davis In SC

10-11-2004 21:10:52




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 Re: How to check out a Lathe in reply to Chris(WA), 10-11-2004 19:26:14  
Look for wear in the ways, & backlash (Free play) in the carriage & cross slide cranks..... Those are generally a good indication of overall wear... What size/brand/model lathe is it ???



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John Garner

10-11-2004 20:58:40




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 Re: How to check out a Lathe in reply to Chris(WA), 10-11-2004 19:26:14  
Chris --

There's some darn good advice on the Meridian Machinery website:

John



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John Garner

10-11-2004 21:00:03




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 The URL in reply to John Garner, 10-11-2004 20:58:40  
www.mermac.com



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kraigWY

10-11-2004 20:18:31




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 Re: How to check out a Lathe in reply to Chris(WA), 10-11-2004 19:26:14  
Take a dial indicator, check the run out of the head stock, the check the tail stock and you slide it back and forth.

The dial indicator also can check the saddle and tool holder set up.



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ray in ct

10-12-2004 06:19:05




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 Re: How to check out a Lathe in reply to kraigWY , 10-11-2004 20:18:31  
Start by looking at the machine for cracked castings etc. What type of lathe (brand,gear head etc..)?
Run out is important and should be one of the first things checked. A brand name and model # would help in telling you what to look for. Any additional tooling come with purchase -4 jaw chuck,live centers, drill chucks etc..
Good luck



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