darkzero

Global Moderator
Staff member
H-M Lifetime Diamond Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2012
Messages
7,852
I'm here to stay so I figured I would document a few of the mods & accessories I have for my PM1236. I got it in Nov 09 & it's been great to, no problems at all, & Matt has always taken care of me, even today. I originally purchased a PM1127-VF (no LB model at the time) but changed my mind & i'm glad I did.

(Most of these pics are copied from a thread on another forum when I got the lathe.)

Here it is when it got delivered.
Img_6353-1.jpg
Img_6356-2.jpg
Img_6459-3.jpg
Img_6466-4.jpg
Img_6464-5.jpg



The day I got it standing next to my mini lathe.
Img_6463-6.jpg



No mill at the time so great machinist friend Barry from Precision Works milled the T-slot for me. I went with a Dorian SQCTP Wedge Lock BXA.
Img_6703-7.jpg
Img_6708-8.jpg
Img_6719-9.jpg
Img_6753-10.jpg



Bison chucks on both ends. The 5/8 drill chuck I scored on ebay new for $56 shipped.
The 5" 6-jaw is from my mini-lathe.
Img_6963-11.jpg
Img_6953-12.jpg



Got a Square D 2510KG2 manual motor starter on ebay for $20 to cut power.
Img_6933-13.jpg
Img_6926-14.jpg
 
I got a bit tired of using a hex key for the carriage lock so like some of the larger lathes I wanted to make a lever for it.


The old method
Img_7676.jpg




After a bit of looking around I found a bolt on solution. I chose a Kipp adjustable (multi position) lever. These would probably be great for mills, after they are locked/tightened you can pull the handle up to disengage it from the splines & move it into any position to keep it out of the way. As I find more applications for these I will definitely be getting more. They come in different shapes, sizes, & materials. The stainless ones are nice but are very expensive, I choose one to match my lathe the best.

All I used aside from the Kipp lever is a small spacer so the lever doesn't come in contact with the carriage. I'll probably add a spring to it to give it some resistance when not locked down.
Img_7671.jpg




Removed the old bolt, simply screwed in the new lever.
Img_7690.jpg




Here's the lever lifted up which can be moved into 20 different positions after it has been tightened down.
Img_7693.jpg



Positioned out of the way, probably will rarely ever get in the way on the lathe.
Img_7710.jpg




Overall view
Img_7716.jpg





Probably not a common solution but like my 8x14 I decided to change the compound bolts. On the 12x36 the original studs & bolts did not strip like the 8x14 but I got used to using hex head bolts & find it much more convenient.


M10 bolts with some heavy duty washers from Mcmasters
Img_7720.jpg



Used some Grade 8 bolts that I threaded the heads then cut them off & ground down to use as the nuts.
Img_7686.jpg



So now with the carriage lock lever the old hex key still gets use for the compound. Much more easier than using a wrench.
Img_7700.jpg




For a while I have not been happy with the Mason mounts. Not the mounts' fault, my lathe is just not heavy enough. If I rocked the lathe pushing on the headstock, I can easily get the lathe starting to rock back & forth. That's not good! So I decided to make some solid mounts.


Here's how it sat before, overkill with 8 Mason mounts.
Img_1016.jpg



The materials. 5/8" threaded rod. My Mason mounts are 1/2"
Img_1048.jpg



Made four mounts with threads.
Img_1084.jpg



To make things easier & keep costs down, I threaded all the way through. To prevent the studs from threading past the bottom, I deformed the edge of the thread to create a "stop".
Img_1088.jpg



The finished mounts.
Img_1103.jpg



Installed. I'm still using four of the Mason mounts on the outside to help keep the lathe in place. With just the solid mounts, I can move the lathe if I give it a good push.
Img_1121.jpg



After I got it all leveled, I adjusted each Mason mount 1-2 thou.
Img_1139.jpg




The solid mounts made a huge difference, well worth it, & the lathe has a whole different feel to it now. Still need to make some bigger lock nuts for the base & will replace the cheap all thread.
 

Attachments

  • Img_7690.jpg
    Img_7690.jpg
    20.2 KB · Views: 606
  • Img_7676.jpg
    Img_7676.jpg
    23.3 KB · Views: 583
  • Img_7671.jpg
    Img_7671.jpg
    44.5 KB · Views: 591
  • Img_7693.jpg
    Img_7693.jpg
    17.3 KB · Views: 585
  • Img_7710.jpg
    Img_7710.jpg
    33.8 KB · Views: 594
  • Img_7716.jpg
    Img_7716.jpg
    40.5 KB · Views: 590
  • Img_7720.jpg
    Img_7720.jpg
    33.8 KB · Views: 583
  • Img_7686.jpg
    Img_7686.jpg
    37.3 KB · Views: 591
  • Img_1016.jpg
    Img_1016.jpg
    41.2 KB · Views: 595
  • Img_1048.jpg
    Img_1048.jpg
    34.7 KB · Views: 585
  • Img_7700.jpg
    Img_7700.jpg
    39.8 KB · Views: 593
  • Img_1088.jpg
    Img_1088.jpg
    29.3 KB · Views: 604
  • Img_1084.jpg
    Img_1084.jpg
    29.9 KB · Views: 596
  • Img_1121.jpg
    Img_1121.jpg
    35.4 KB · Views: 575
  • Img_1103.jpg
    Img_1103.jpg
    39.8 KB · Views: 585
  • Img_1139.jpg
    Img_1139.jpg
    33.3 KB · Views: 577
After coming to my senses that I will never be able to afford the Fagor 40i that I fell in love with, I pieced together a kit & I'm pretty happy with it. It's a true lathe display so there's no useless mill functions to worry about.

Here's my install....


IMG_2191.jpg


IMG_2197.jpg




Made a back plate for support since the display is mounted to the sheet metal control box.
IMG_2032.jpg




Installed a cable grip/strain relief.
IMG_2058.jpg


IMG_2040.jpg




Wired the display directly to the lathe's 220v power so it turns on when I power up the lathe.
IMG_2056.jpg




Scale installed on the cross slide (X axis).
IMG_2075.jpg




Was a bit tricky at first drilling & tapping for these two holes. Had to use a very long extension for the drill bit & the tap since they were so close to the ways. Luckily I didn't fubar it.
IMG_2159.jpg




Chip guard for the scale.
IMG_2156.jpg




Mounting bracket for the bed scale (Z axis). The cross slide scale also uses one of these, forgot to take pics drilling the cross slide to install it. It was done on a drill press.
IMG_2084.jpg




Bed scale mounted.
IMG_2093.jpg




Mounting bracket for the bed scale.
IMG_2108.jpg




Put the lathe partially back together to make two little spacers.
IMG_2116.jpg




Chip guard.
IMG_2149.jpg


IMG_2152.jpg




The mounting arm for the display.
IMG_2172.jpg


IMG_2175.jpg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2191.jpg
    IMG_2191.jpg
    37.3 KB · Views: 618
  • IMG_2197.jpg
    IMG_2197.jpg
    37.6 KB · Views: 590
  • IMG_2058.jpg
    IMG_2058.jpg
    41.4 KB · Views: 577
  • IMG_2032.jpg
    IMG_2032.jpg
    27 KB · Views: 607
  • IMG_2056.jpg
    IMG_2056.jpg
    54.9 KB · Views: 598
  • IMG_2040.jpg
    IMG_2040.jpg
    37.7 KB · Views: 599
  • IMG_2075.jpg
    IMG_2075.jpg
    34.1 KB · Views: 602
  • IMG_2159.jpg
    IMG_2159.jpg
    25.9 KB · Views: 605
  • IMG_2156.jpg
    IMG_2156.jpg
    36.1 KB · Views: 597
  • IMG_2084.jpg
    IMG_2084.jpg
    32.7 KB · Views: 584
  • IMG_2093.jpg
    IMG_2093.jpg
    29.9 KB · Views: 589
  • IMG_2149.jpg
    IMG_2149.jpg
    27.8 KB · Views: 603
  • IMG_2116.jpg
    IMG_2116.jpg
    34.8 KB · Views: 587
  • IMG_2108.jpg
    IMG_2108.jpg
    31.4 KB · Views: 582
  • IMG_2152.jpg
    IMG_2152.jpg
    27 KB · Views: 594
  • IMG_2175.jpg
    IMG_2175.jpg
    46.4 KB · Views: 593
  • IMG_2172.jpg
    IMG_2172.jpg
    29.4 KB · Views: 604
Wasn't too happy with the quality of the 4-jaw that came with the lathe so I replaced it with a Fuerda direct mount 8" 4-jaw. The stock 6" 3 jaw I am keeping though.

Img_0660.jpg


Img_0682.jpg




The chuck key is a safetly type key just like the Bison key but I can't stand those springs so off it came. This key fits the stock 3-jaw too but not the Bison.
Img_0673.jpg



My dog plate after I cleaned it up.
Img_0771.jpg


Img_0767.jpg

Img_4827.jpg


Img_4835.jpg



Too bad this lathe dog is so offset heavy. Makes my lathe shake at higher speeds so I got some conventional ones that work much better.
Img_4824.jpg


Img_4820.jpg




My Exair Cold Air Gun.
IMG_0909.jpg


Img_0911.jpg




Back then there were no separate packages, it was pretty much the Preferred package with chuck guard. Eventually I couldn't stand that damn guard so off it came. Man what a big difference it makes!
Img_5669.jpg




Haven't used the flood coolant system yet so I just made a bottle holder where the nozzle used to mount.
Img_0672.jpg




All that damn flex conduit that was put up really bothered me so I took it all down & replaced it with EMT.

Before:
Img_4614.jpg


Img_4618.jpg


Img_4625.jpg




After..... I installed a drop for the air compressor & later added an extension for the mill.
IMG_4637.jpg


IMG_4640.jpg


Img_0346.jpg


Img_6066.jpg


Img_3441_800_zpsdd8ea4ab.jpg
 

Attachments

  • Img_0682.jpg
    Img_0682.jpg
    58.7 KB · Views: 560
  • Img_0660.jpg
    Img_0660.jpg
    32.7 KB · Views: 555
  • Img_0673.jpg
    Img_0673.jpg
    37.5 KB · Views: 542
  • Img_0771.jpg
    Img_0771.jpg
    26 KB · Views: 536
  • Img_4827.jpg
    Img_4827.jpg
    40.8 KB · Views: 545
  • Img_0767.jpg
    Img_0767.jpg
    31.4 KB · Views: 537
  • Img_4820.jpg
    Img_4820.jpg
    46 KB · Views: 543
  • Img_4835.jpg
    Img_4835.jpg
    33.3 KB · Views: 539
  • Img_4824.jpg
    Img_4824.jpg
    30.5 KB · Views: 531
  • IMG_0909.jpg
    IMG_0909.jpg
    37 KB · Views: 545
  • Img_0911.jpg
    Img_0911.jpg
    29.8 KB · Views: 528
  • Img_5669.jpg
    Img_5669.jpg
    40.1 KB · Views: 540
  • Img_0672.jpg
    Img_0672.jpg
    30 KB · Views: 524
  • Img_4614.jpg
    Img_4614.jpg
    26.4 KB · Views: 524
  • IMG_4637.jpg
    IMG_4637.jpg
    21.1 KB · Views: 528
  • Img_4625.jpg
    Img_4625.jpg
    24.4 KB · Views: 525
  • Img_4618.jpg
    Img_4618.jpg
    21 KB · Views: 530
  • IMG_4640.jpg
    IMG_4640.jpg
    18.6 KB · Views: 531
  • Img_0346.jpg
    Img_0346.jpg
    40.3 KB · Views: 541
  • Img_6066.jpg
    Img_6066.jpg
    23.5 KB · Views: 532
  • Img_3441_800_zpsdd8ea4ab.jpg
    Img_3441_800_zpsdd8ea4ab.jpg
    51.9 KB · Views: 538
Great looking job so far. It's never really done it is?

I still can't see what anyone would want with a chuck guard?

That's a big compressor, but I imagine you need it using your cold gun at full presure. I have the loudest compressor I have ever heard. I keep
it in another room with the door closed and it's still loud as hell! Thankfully I have a new one coming on Monday.
Only 60db. That's going to be a very nice change!

Gary
 
Last edited:
Great looking job so far. It's never really done it is?

I still can't see what anyone would want with a chuck guard?

That's a big compressor, but I imagine you need it using your cold gun at full presure. I have the loudest compressor I have ever heard. I keep
it in another room with the door closed and it's still loud as hell! Thankfully I have a new one coming on Monday.
Only 60db. That's going to be a very nice change!

Gary

Thanks Gary. Yeah, tell me about it! People have told me but I had no idea my addiction would lead me this far & I know it only gets worse! But I look at it as a life long investment so & it keeps me happy.

I kind of liked the chuck guard at first as it was insurance to never leave the chuck key in. But I learned that lesson before I got the PM & finally one day it really started to get annoying! IMO it really serves no purpose as it really doesn't guard anything.

If you look at that last pic just above your post you can see that I also have a 17 gal tank sitting behind the lathe plumbed into the system. With 77 gallons I still want more air! But I don't think I can fit an 80 gal where the 60 sits. Maybe one day I'll upgrade to a 2-stage.

The cold air gun is air hungry! I don't run it at full recommended 90 psi. I run it at 50-60 psi & it still works well. That's my current alternative to flood coolant as I don't want that kind of mess in my garage yet. I mostly using it when drilling Ti which is often. Not nearly as great at a flood system but better than nothing. I have one for the mill too but haven't hooked it up yet.

Congrats on the new compressor! It's definitely a necessity & I can't live without one. I had a Craftsman/DevillBiss 20 gal which was pretty quiet but it couldn't keep up with my 1/2" impact & die grinders. Always had to wait for it to fill back up! Bought the 60 for $255 & sold the Craftsman for $200 so it was a nice upgrade. The 60 gal HF US General compressors are actually US made.
 
Congrats on the new compressor! It's definitely a necessity & I can't live without one. I had a Craftsman/DevillBiss 20 gal which was pretty quiet but it couldn't keep up with my 1/2" impact & die grinders. Always had to wait for it to fill back up! Bought the 60 for $255 & sold the Craftsman for $200 so it was a nice upgrade. The 60 gal HF US General compressors are actually US made.

Yea, the new compressor is only a 6.5 gal. but I don't use much air at all. It's a step down from the 14 gal. I now have. I do have a 10 gal. portable tank that I use to take out to the driveway to fill the tires
on the cars, so I can always use it for extra air storage. From the reviews I've read on the new compressor, it fills real fast. Just about a minute with the 2 cylinder compressor. I may look on craigslist for a
big tank for real cheap to give me a big surplus of air.

I just got a real inexpensive Spra-Kool Midget Mist system that I plan on using on the lathe and mill. It will work at 30psi. I don't even want to mess with the flood coolant system. I saw on another site that someone made his mister intermittent, .5 sec on 1.5 sec off. I plan on doing the same thing but make the on/off time adjustable with 2 dials. It will cut down on air and coolant use. I figure this will keep things cool and lubed.

BTW I think the only real reason for the chuck guard is to keep coolant from flying all over the place when using the flood coolant.

Gary
 
Will... What... You got Elves keeping that thing clean for you?
 
Will... What... You got Elves keeping that thing clean for you?

Nope, actually they're Smurfs! Hence the white & blue. :))

Most of this pics are from another thread when the lathe was new. But I do probably keep the lathe cleaner than most. I mostly turn Ti these days & dry, after the first lathe fire I get paranoid sometimes. Turning ferro rod can get interesting too.


EDIT:

Guess I forgot to include my radius turning attachment so I'll just insert it here (copied from another forum as well). Made this before I had a mill so I cheated by using parts from another unit.



Here's what I started off with. The Myford attachment & a 5" dia 30lb piece of CR1018.
Img_0069.jpg



Mounted in the 4 jaw, making the base plate with this piece.
Img_0129.jpg



Cut off the base plate & save the rest for another project (feet for the lathe).
Img_0192.jpg



Cleaned it up, drilled a couple of holes, & test fit.
Img_0210.jpg


Img_0215.jpg



Bored out the recesses on the top of the base plate for the tool post.
Img_0314.jpg



Bored out the bottom of the base plate for the mounting/pivot screw.
Img_0356.jpg



Base plate is done, on to make the post assy. 3" dia 1018.
Img_0247.jpg


Img_0249.jpg



Machined the steps for the bottom of the tool post.
Img_0310.jpg



Bored out the recesses on the top off the tool post for the cutter assy. Drilled a hole all the way through for a M6 bolt, then tapped threads the bottom for a M10 bolt.
Img_0401.jpg



Tool post is done, time for a test fit.
Img_0392.jpg



Tested it out on a piece of alum. Ditched the insert & screw that it came with for a TNMG 331 Cermet insert & Ti flathead/countersunk type screw for better seating. Chatter free & right on center line!
Img_0375.jpg



Here's how I measured the cutter height.
Img_0370.jpg



Here is the top mating surface for the cutter assy.
Img_0411.jpg



Turned down a M6 bolt to fit through the M10 thread at the bottom of the tool post to bolt on the cutter assy.
Img_0415.jpg



The mating surfaces of the post & base plate. Since this is where I made the tool post pivot I added some lube.
Img_0423.jpg



The bottom of the base plate. This part is critical since the washer should only mate against the small step of the post that fits through the base plate. But if that step is too high you'll get unwanted play leading to chatter.
Img_0426.jpg


Img_0428.jpg



All assembled.
Img_0437.jpg



Time to give it a try, first up was a ball knob to replace the cheapo plastic one.


Threaded a rod & a piece of steel.
Img_0444.jpg



The rod I was using to hold the stock was too thin & chattered a lot so I had to switch to a thicker one. After a little bit of sanding I ended up with this.
Img_0449.jpg



Here's the new knob on the tool post.
Img_0473.jpg



Thanks for looking.
 

Attachments

  • Img_0069.jpg
    Img_0069.jpg
    37 KB · Views: 523
  • Img_0129.jpg
    Img_0129.jpg
    43 KB · Views: 522
  • Img_0192.jpg
    Img_0192.jpg
    37.9 KB · Views: 520
  • Img_0210.jpg
    Img_0210.jpg
    24.3 KB · Views: 523
  • Img_0215.jpg
    Img_0215.jpg
    28.9 KB · Views: 522
  • Img_0314.jpg
    Img_0314.jpg
    28.6 KB · Views: 512
  • Img_0356.jpg
    Img_0356.jpg
    24.9 KB · Views: 511
  • Img_0249.jpg
    Img_0249.jpg
    32.2 KB · Views: 519
  • Img_0247.jpg
    Img_0247.jpg
    27.7 KB · Views: 514
  • Img_0310.jpg
    Img_0310.jpg
    33.2 KB · Views: 517
  • Img_0401.jpg
    Img_0401.jpg
    30.2 KB · Views: 519
  • Img_0392.jpg
    Img_0392.jpg
    32.8 KB · Views: 522
  • Img_0370.jpg
    Img_0370.jpg
    37.7 KB · Views: 529
  • Img_0411.jpg
    Img_0411.jpg
    40.7 KB · Views: 523
  • Img_0375.jpg
    Img_0375.jpg
    28.1 KB · Views: 515
  • Img_0415.jpg
    Img_0415.jpg
    34.9 KB · Views: 518
  • Img_0423.jpg
    Img_0423.jpg
    36.4 KB · Views: 525
  • Img_0426.jpg
    Img_0426.jpg
    31.3 KB · Views: 514
  • Img_0428.jpg
    Img_0428.jpg
    27.2 KB · Views: 511
  • Img_0437.jpg
    Img_0437.jpg
    47.4 KB · Views: 518
  • Img_0473.jpg
    Img_0473.jpg
    34.8 KB · Views: 511
  • Img_0449.jpg
    Img_0449.jpg
    25.4 KB · Views: 512
  • Img_0444.jpg
    Img_0444.jpg
    31.7 KB · Views: 519
Lathe fire? Story!


Ray


Nope, actually they're Smurfs! Hence the white & blue. :))

Most of this pics are from another thread when the lathe was new. But I do probably keep the lathe cleaner than most. I mostly turn Ti these days & dry, after the first lathe fire I get paranoid sometimes. Turning ferro rod can get interesting too.
 
Back
Top