cruddy finish makes for cruddy attitude

[Dave Otto]

Hey Zee

Maybe this is what you are seeing on your lathe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_speed
My lathe has a small vibration a 665 rpm (not variable) mostly unnoticeable without a chuck mounted Mount up the 6" 3 jaw and it is pretty pronounced put the 8" chuck on it and I just skip that speed.
This is on a very well made German toolroom lathe with good belts and bearings.

Dave

[zeeprogrammer]

Hey Zee

Maybe this is what you are seeing on your lathe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_speed
My lathe has a small vibration a 665 rpm (not variable) mostly unnoticeable without a chuck mounted Mount up the 6" 3 jaw and it is pretty pronounced put the 8" chuck on it and I just skip that speed.
This is on a very well made German toolroom lathe with good belts and bearings.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I was moving in that direction. It occurs at about 600...so I could avoid it.
Just trying to make sure I'm not missing something.

I did get good finishes...and it was easier than when I had my mini-lathe (in part because of my experience with the mini). So I'm kinda happy.
I expect better performance out of a $2000 machine than a $500 but I'd be foolish to expect performance that a $10000 machine would provide.

I'm doing okay here.

[crueby]

Glad you are getting it sorted out, sure that every machine has its own personality and quirks. You should be starting on the Stanley engine any day now.

[zeeprogrammer]

You should be starting on the Stanley engine any day now.

 

[crueby]

You should be starting on the Stanley engine any day now.

 

 

[mklotz]

In this case, I thought the small lever was to select feed for cross slide or lead screw and to use the big lever to engage it.
It didn't occur to me that it was 'select AND engage'.

Yes, and in an absent-minded moment, pushing the lever the wrong direction can damage a nearly finished part - DAMHIKT.

The mnemonic I keep in mind is...

UP towards the crossfeed screw engages the crossfeed screw.

DOWN towards the axial feed rod (my lathe has separate feed rod and leadscrew) engages the axial feed