Get a Grizzly 3" 4 Jaw wood chuck. buy a short length of 1" - 8tpi threaded rod, lathe it down, mount it with some roller/needle bearings, lovejoy connectors, and ur set!
Not that u cant do this with an old manual machine, but cnc has really changed how we do things in the workshops! Dont know If u would get a lathe as my first machine tool anymore!?
You should never use a drill chuck to hold end mills. Bad idea all around. If you want to do cnc turning on you mill put a lathe chuck on the spindle and and mount a lathe tool in the vice or make a tool holder. Now you have a cnc lathe. Set y to the tool bit is centered and use x to move the bit in/out and z to feed stock. You will get a much better surface finish that with what you are doing.
Yes, I've since gotten a collet. But never had a problem using the chuck.
The shaft had to be perfectly concentric with the bore. So doing it any other way would not work. I had to drive it with a motor, and cut it while it was turning.
Well said! I was going to suggest the same thing. I used to use a bridgeport all the time to turn stuff all the time. Used the quill feed for auto travel. Lathe type finish also.
Another way to use the mill as a lathe is to simply put your workpiece on the spinble and clamp a lathe tool on the table (elevated of course). I've machined parts this way many times.
Get a Grizzly 3" 4 Jaw wood chuck. buy a short length of 1" - 8tpi threaded rod, lathe it down, mount it with some roller/needle bearings, lovejoy connectors, and ur set!
HeadShot360IN 7 months ago
Thanks for sharing. Mount a little chuck on that stepper and do some more 4th-axis work!
vlmarshall 2 years ago
Not that u cant do this with an old manual machine, but cnc has really changed how we do things in the workshops! Dont know If u would get a lathe as my first machine tool anymore!?
Axbent 2 years ago
You should never use a drill chuck to hold end mills. Bad idea all around. If you want to do cnc turning on you mill put a lathe chuck on the spindle and and mount a lathe tool in the vice or make a tool holder. Now you have a cnc lathe. Set y to the tool bit is centered and use x to move the bit in/out and z to feed stock. You will get a much better surface finish that with what you are doing.
SupermaxCNC 4 years ago 5
Yes, I've since gotten a collet. But never had a problem using the chuck.
The shaft had to be perfectly concentric with the bore. So doing it any other way would not work. I had to drive it with a motor, and cut it while it was turning.
microsteppingcnc 4 years ago
Well said! I was going to suggest the same thing. I used to use a bridgeport all the time to turn stuff all the time. Used the quill feed for auto travel. Lathe type finish also.
corona0007 2 years ago
Another way to use the mill as a lathe is to simply put your workpiece on the spinble and clamp a lathe tool on the table (elevated of course). I've machined parts this way many times.
thegoose7777 4 years ago
what about sharp corners?too much chatter can happen at the end of part ,u need a center or better yet just buy a cheap toolroom lathe!
toolmaker19 4 years ago