This Is Only A Test (Video)

Patrick Hill

Hmm, interesting. Thanks.

Doc Nickel

No. That's a somewhat more obscure 22SC style, originally designed for screw machines. It's a 'dead length' collet, meaning it doesn't move inward or outward as it closes/clamps.

Patrick Hill

Just out of curiosity, are those 5C collets? I have a couple of 9" South Bends, and use a 3C setup in one of them.

Tigermark

I just last year retired from GE Aviation, making jet engine parts. Seeing this work reminds me so much of watching all the CNC milling centers we used work. Looking good, Doc, and thanks for the video. I can almost smell the coolant.

That is a beautiful machine! I have no space or need for a machine like that in my shop, but now I want one anyways 😁

Rod Shampine

I see what you meant about "I need more ways to hold drills! Very cool to see it running!

That's my first "adults only" lathe video!

John Ridley

When I was shopping for a used lathe here in SE Michigan, I found there are any number of turret lathes going for scrap value. LOTS of job shops surrounding the auto industry used to use them in the hundreds, but it's all CNC now and these things are just going to rust.

Patrick Hill

Great looking lathe. Video worked fine. Look forward to seeing more machining, (and other,) videos.

Doc Nickel

Oh yes. Virtually every machine tool recycles it's cutting fluid. This one doesn't have much of a filter, just a strainer. But there's settling action in the sump, too. As for the in-house thing, that's exactly why I got it and rebuilt it. I was already having trouble getting product from outside shops, and 2020 put a big crimp in even that. I can't afford a proper, modern computerized turning center ($25K for a really cheap one, and it goes up from there) so this was literally the next best thing that I *could* afford.

Just wondering. Does that lathe recycle the coolant? I always wondered about that when I would see one running on TV. I hope you have a good filter on it. Looks neat. Have fun. Now those paintball marker parts can be made in-house instead of ordering down to the lower 48. LOL :)

Doc Nickel

Well, probably never, since none of that is useful on one of these. I'll wait 'til I can afford a proper CNC turning center. :)

Andrew

Beautiful looking machine. So, how long until you start adding on a DRO, quick change tool post, electronic lead screw, live tooling, CNC conversion..? :)

A long time ago, I used to be a CNC repair tech at Northrop Aircraft. There was one ancient turret lathe machine with an equally ancient controller that required attention every two weeks or so.

Doc Nickel

I almost did, but there's nothing to see. The outside is unchanged, and it's just a stepped hole inside. I'll have more videos eventually, that will produce parts more visually interesting. :)

Trygve Henriksen

Nice. And thank you for not destroying the video with lots of editing or adding a music track. Narration/captions can be added as text in the post. 'at 0:37 I crank the wibble-wabble dohickey in order to do whatever... '

Joanna

Cool, Doc! I only wish you'd held up the finished product at the end for us to see what it looks like.