Craftsman 12" Lathe

[aametalmaster]

Originally Posted by jimkinney

I also need to come up with a stand or bench for it.

Been surfing CDCO and ebay looking at QCTPs and collets, boy that's gonna get pricey.

Nice lathe. Is that an 8" 4 jaw chuck? You can build a simple tool post and a collet chuck for free. I know i did it. Just buy some ER collets off ebay...Bob

[jimkinney]

Yes it is a Craftsman 8" 4-jaw chuck.

I know I could build my own, but I can dream. All I really need right now is some cutter bits, or just sharpen the one I have and I can make chips.

[jimkinney]

I got it all disassembled, cleaned and reassembled except for the headstock, that will have to wait. I adjusted the gibs and sharpened the only cutting bit that came with it. And it cuts metal.

I replaced the Chinese motor with an old GE 1/4 Hp motor that I got at a garage sale years ago. It needs some work that I will start another thread for, but it runs, and it was nearly free. It's a lot smaller and lighter than the motor that came with it, which makes it easier to pull the tension off the belt.

I only did a little since I couldn't keep the motor oiled and didn't want to trash the bushings. I will need to do some playing to get the bit angles correct, but it cut chips without complaining.

Next is to find somewhere other than the floor to mount it. I'm getting too old to sit down there and play with my toys.

Jim

[digr]

Mighty fine looken little lathe you have there you are hooked now

[cutter]

Originally Posted by jimkinney

Next is to find somewhere other than the floor to mount it. I'm getting too old to sit down there and play with my toys.

Jim

Jim, I feel pretty sure you'll find it more enjoyable when you get it up on a bench or something.
I also suspect you'll get tired of the lantern toolpost by & by and while grinding HSS tooling is a worthy experience I finally broke down last year & bought a Glanze turning set like this.
I bought the 3/8th" set but the 1/2 inch is probably better suited to your lathe.

I don't run my little lathe all that much but I'm enjoying my set just because it sure is nice to know there's going to be a sharp edge available when I want it.

[jimkinney]

Originally Posted by digr

Mighty fine looken little lathe you have there you are hooked now

More than likely. Already wishing/dreaming about attachments and tooling.

Jim

[jimkinney]

Originally Posted by cutter

J
I also suspect you'll get tired of the lantern toolpost by & by and while grinding HSS tooling is a worthy experience I finally broke down last year & bought a Glanze turning set like this.
I bought the 3/8th" set but the 1/2 inch is probably better suited to your lathe.

I don't run my little lathe all that much but I'm enjoying my set just because it sure is nice to know there's going to be a sharp edge available when I want it.

Cutter,

That is a very nice set. I have already ordered a QCTP and carbide bits from CDCO. I didn't get the ones with inserts, but that may happen in the future. I can sharpen carbide, so what I got will last a while.

I'm also thinking milling adapters and such, but a bench is first on the list.

Jim

[digr]

This is what happened to me

[cutter]

Originally Posted by digr

This is what happened to me

Is it still gray?

[LW Hiway]

I'm getting too old to sit down there and play with my toys.

I thought that was what the 'creaper' was far. Man, folk sure are hard to please when it comes to toys.

Now if I could only find a 'shaper' and a 'knee mill' my toy collection would almost, pretty closely, a smidge shy, by darn close, almost never to be complete. It will not end. lol