Retirement Lathe

[metalmad]

Absolutely superb Bike Jerry
Pete

[Admiral_dk]

I was very impressed with the speedometer  ..... but the complete bike   

[Ian S C]

Here's my little Super Adept attacking a bit of stainless steel, it doesn't get used very often, but there are times when it's quite handy.
Ian S C

[V 45]

When you're ready to get rid of your bigger lathe. ...I'm interested  !!!
 Thanks again,
V 45

[Mosey]

This is turning out to be a very informative and fun journey. I will be making small IC and steam engines and just puttering around making miscellaneous small things. I might attempt a simple clock at some point. For example, right now I am making a replacement propeller adaptor for an electric model airplane with a 6 x 1.0 m/m thread. I could buy one for $5.00, but what fun would that be?
I am currently having a serious look at a Cowells ME lathe, and by the way, I work in metric 1/2 the time.
I will get my Silver Bullet to run at some time soon. (Hear that, Eric?)
The transition to micro machining has been approved by the treasury department including the sale of 2 lathes and a special mill.
Mosey   

[BillTodd]

Haighton Cadet?

wktodd.webspace.virginmedia.com/cadet/page14.html

:-)

Now on ebay (if anyone's interested ) itm:201510364596

[Mosey]

I have looked extensively at Sherline and less so Cowells.
Price of Cowells accessories is attention getting, if you can find them, and they aren't compatible with current things..
Sherline seems to be available with many useful, affordable accessories. It appears as though it will be able to share many its tooling with the F1.
I expect to make a dividing head and mount ER-16 collets on both machines.
I wonder though about its ability to cut steel? Is there a group or individual that can give me the true picture about this lathe's strength and rigidity?
Mosey   

[wagnmkr]

Mosey, I have turned stainless, 12L14, cast iron, cold and hot rolled on my Sherline. I use the A to Z qctp on it as well. The results are better than on my 9 x 20 lathe (Busy Bee tools  ... used to me). Now, you are not going to take off 1/4" at a pass. Small cuts get's the job done nicely. Also, the thread cutting tool works great! This is a hobby after all and not a piecework job.

Cheers

Tom

[steve-de24]

Mosey,
Have you seen this page on the Sherline site.

http://www.sherline.com/testcuts.htm

Hope it answers your question. I don't own a Sherline so I cannot comment on how truthful a representation of the lathes capabilities the videos  are but I would have thought they were ok. Perhaps Sherline users can let us know.

Steve

[steve-de24]

I should add that I've got a Cowells ME90 and I don't think it would make the heavy 0.125" deep cut at 500 rpm in leaded steel. 
I suspect the Sherline's 500W motor compared with the Cowells miniscule 90 Watts plays a big factor but there is the Cowells belt slip issue as well.
Steve

[crueby]

I've built lots of things on my sherline, up to a 32" Shay locomotive. Decent for the price and size. Not a big commercial machine by any means, but capable of a lot. Few odd design choices, but you can say that of any brand. If your parts are within its size range, it will do the job nicely. I cut a lot of brass, 303 stainless, and 12L14 steel.

[b.lindsey]

I concur with Tom. I have cut stainless, cast iron, 1018, leaded stock,  and most recently the hardest steel (4130 I think) for the parselk & weed cylinder.

Bill

[Mosey]

Thanks for the experience and confidence in the Sherline.
It sounds like a winner for my emerging needs.
Mosey

[steve-de24]

I made a mistake in my last post - the Sherline does not have a 500W motor - sorry for any confusion.
Steve

[Mosey]

Motor is now 90 VDC., but I don't know how many watts that equals.

Questions:
8" or 17"?
Metric, I think.
DRO's ?
ER-16 Collet adaptor?
Threading Attachment
No thread dial available, right?
Mosey