lathe turning

I have a 4 inch diameter disc, 3/8 inch thick aluminum, with a particular hole pattern. I need that same hole pattern in a 3 inch disc. I have already cut one down from the side, 5 thousandths at a time, on my Jet lathe. It took close to an hour and made a pile of shavings. Is there a way to...

More newbie questions: I am turning a 1.5" piece of 12L14, and have problems with finish. The tool geometry seems about right, and the edges are all honed. It is M42 HSS --- or is supposedly M42. It has a radius on the nose. Turning about 500 RPM, and even at 0.0025" feed rate the finish is...

Hello, I am northeast GA. (North West Gwinnett county) and need to get a quote on the following; I have the following aluminum that needs to be turned and welded; 1 - Aluminum tube 5" I.D. x 24" Length x 3/8" wall. 2 - 5" O.D. Diameter x 1/4" thick round plates with 1" bore (already turned...