My First Lathe - HF 9" x 20"

Since this lathe has no safety switch, I order a paddle switch for it... At least it is something easy to install until I can decide where to install an Emergency Stop Switch...

Stop Switch.jpg
 
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All I have to say is that I am never going to use a hacksaw again, ever... Using this was sweeeeeet.... Now I really want a 4x6 bandsaw!!

The chuck-key needs to be taller and with longer handles... a bit of a PITA to have to move the chuck so I can clear the chuck-key to tighten the part...

I need an LED lamp with a magnifying glass...

I need a multiple outlet strip installed on the bench...

Those handheld bandsaws seem like they could be really handy for somethings even if you had a horizontal. I've been tempted to pick one up a few times. Since you now have a better way to cut metal, I'd suggest getting picky looking for a swivel head bandsaw over the usual horizontal.

Something like this Grizzly

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-5-x-6-1-2-hp-metal-cutting-bandsaw-w-swivel-head/g9742

I got to use an Ellis bandsaw in my welding classes and it was of this design (also about $3000 vs Grizzly's $900). It might not seem like a big thing turning the saw head instead of the work, but if you are cutting a 10 foot long piece, it really is. To cut a 45 on a long piece the end of the work will move several feet requiring a fairly large work area. I have one of the standard 4x6" bandsaws so when I get a long piece I end up having to turn the whole saw because I don't have the width to swing the material.


Chuck key sounds like a future project. ;)


I got one of these for Christmas last year to use on the workbench. Sadly I haven't got much time with it, but seems to be well made and I think I'm going to really like it once I get a chance to use it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084P1GQW...olid=2D5GDRLKV14ZJ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it


Harbor Freight has power strips that match their US General tool chests... You are going to need a place to keep all your new tools after all. :D


I get that... maybe not a do-it-all chuck (or one-size fits all)... But, again, in my case being a newbie, a combination four-jaw chuck, I think it would have been a great option since I did not have a 4-jaw chuck...

This is all hypothetical... I already bought a 4-jaw independent chuck... :D 70.00 vs 1,000.00. Yeah, that was easy to decide...

Where did you get the chuck, ebay? Did you get a plain back with an M39-4.0 backplate?

I don't have a 4 jaw on mine, planned on sharing the tooling with the Logan, but then found it had a metric spindle. I don't want to spend a lot on this lathe but under $100 for a 5" 4 jaw isn't bad, the 4 jaw on my Sherline was almost $150 for a 3" chuck.

Not ready to use a boring tool... I will get there... Too much out of my comfort zone right now.

For now I just ordered a 12mm drill bit and will finish the bottom with a 2-flute or 4 flute 12 mm end mill to make it flat... whatever difference in clearance is needed, I will get there creatively, hahahahaha

Boring isn't that hard, really not much different than turning except its on the inside. Mikey started a good thread on boring.

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/a-boring-primer.75721/
 
Those handheld bandsaws seem like they could be really handy for somethings even if you had a horizontal. I've been tempted to pick one up a few times. Since you now have a better way to cut metal, I'd suggest getting picky looking for a swivel head bandsaw over the usual horizontal.

Something like this Grizzly

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-5-x-6-1-2-hp-metal-cutting-bandsaw-w-swivel-head/g9742

I got to use an Ellis bandsaw in my welding classes and it was of this design (also about $3000 vs Grizzly's $900). It might not seem like a big thing turning the saw head instead of the work, but if you are cutting a 10 foot long piece, it really is. To cut a 45 on a long piece the end of the work will move several feet requiring a fairly large work area. I have one of the standard 4x6" bandsaws so when I get a long piece I end up having to turn the whole saw because I don't have the width to swing the material.


Chuck key sounds like a future project. ;)


I got one of these for Christmas last year to use on the workbench. Sadly I haven't got much time with it, but seems to be well made and I think I'm going to really like it once I get a chance to use it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084P1GQW...olid=2D5GDRLKV14ZJ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it


Harbor Freight has power strips that match their US General tool chests... You are going to need a place to keep all your new tools after all. :D




Where did you get the chuck, ebay? Did you get a plain back with an M39-4.0 backplate?

I don't have a 4 jaw on mine, planned on sharing the tooling with the Logan, but then found it had a metric spindle. I don't want to spend a lot on this lathe but under $100 for a 5" 4 jaw isn't bad, the 4 jaw on my Sherline was almost $150 for a 3" chuck.



Boring isn't that hard, really not much different than turning except its on the inside. Mikey started a good thread on boring.

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/a-boring-primer.75721/

I was looking at the Grizzly G0926 only if I can get it on their sale price (around 389.00 + shipping). If not, I will just grab one from Harbor Freight. I do not want to go crazy on the bandsaw. For me, 900.00 is crazy money for one, in my case of course... I do not mind moving the bandsaw for cutting long pieces, lol.

Chuck key will be a future project. Yes!

On the lamp, I got this one: LED Magnifying Lamp 2,200 lumens - arrives today. We have one that my wife uses... and she saw me eyeing hers and quickly told me to stay away from it and to get my own :D

LED Lamp.jpg


I got this power strip... 15 amp and has usb ports as well... should be good for now.

Power Strip.jpg


The chuck I got from eBay, correct. It arrives today, will see what I get... there were no photos of the back... Here is the link: Lathe Chuck K72-125 5" 4 Jaw Independent Grinding Machine Cast Iron Lathe Chuck

Backplate is for a 6" chuck, so there will be a lot of chip build up in the lathe as I get that sucker to size... from eBay as well... HHIP 3900-3339 M39X4 Backplate for 6" 3 or 4 Jaw Chucks

On boring, thank you for the link. Let me take a look.
 
Buying new it is hard to beat the HF 4x6. I was thinking more along the lines of keeping an eye out for that style on the used market, I'd have a hard time spending $900 for a saw too, particularly since they were $600 just a few years ago.

Seems to go in spurts but you can find some good deals on used bandsaws. The 4x6" class saws seem to pop up fairly frequently, Sears sold a similar saw for years under the Craftsman brand.
 
Now you need a poor man's DRO system ;) no batteries, no cord!
 

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The switch pictured looks very similar to one I got from Grizzly way back. Mine without enclosures though. If it is magnetic, which I'm pretty sure it is, it alone will serve as a good E-stop switch. The ON/OFF function on such a switch has contacts that operate a small internal relay. That relay requires manual restarting, so you don't get blindsided when the power comes back up.

My suggestion would be a bracket (above and left) beside the change gear lever and the switch mounted outside the normal operating area of the machine so it is easy to reach. I have one mounted on an older table saw with very good results. Since I ordered several of them, it looks like a good addition to my small lathe as well. Thank you for the idea.

My personal position on control would be to keep the machine wiring intact, with the added switch as a "safety" additional to the factory control. Not just as an E-stop but to keep wandering hands from powering up the machine. The one issue to consider is the line current drawn by the machine. Your machine has a 3/4 HP motor. Such a motor has quite a starting draw. And for transferring to a larger machine later will require careful examination of the name plate current.

I don't have any children, and at my age would be more concerned about great grand children any way, and won't take casual visitors into the shop, a separate building. As a result, I don't think about such doubled up switches as often as I should. Usually only when directly confronted with the makings for such a system does the matter come up. Again, thanx.

.
 
Buying new it is hard to beat the HF 4x6. I was thinking more along the lines of keeping an eye out for that style on the used market, I'd have a hard time spending $900 for a saw too, particularly since they were $600 just a few years ago.

Seems to go in spurts but you can find some good deals on used bandsaws. The 4x6" class saws seem to pop up fairly frequently, Sears sold a similar saw for years under the Craftsman brand.

Ahh, got it. Yes... I check the local Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace almost every day looking for one at a decent price.
 
The switch pictured looks very similar to one I got from Grizzly way back. Mine without enclosures though. If it is magnetic, which I'm pretty sure it is, it alone will serve as a good E-stop switch. The ON/OFF function on such a switch has contacts that operate a small internal relay. That relay requires manual restarting, so you don't get blindsided when the power comes back up.

My suggestion would be a bracket (above and left) beside the change gear lever and the switch mounted outside the normal operating area of the machine so it is easy to reach. I have one mounted on an older table saw with very good results. Since I ordered several of them, it looks like a good addition to my small lathe as well. Thank you for the idea.

My personal position on control would be to keep the machine wiring intact, with the added switch as a "safety" additional to the factory control. Not just as an E-stop but to keep wandering hands from powering up the machine. The one issue to consider is the line current drawn by the machine. Your machine has a 3/4 HP motor. Such a motor has quite a starting draw. And for transferring to a larger machine later will require careful examination of the name plate current.

I don't have any children, and at my age would be more concerned about great grand children any way, and won't take casual visitors into the shop, a separate building. As a result, I don't think about such doubled up switches as often as I should. Usually only when directly confronted with the makings for such a system does the matter come up. Again, thanx.

.

The machine draws 15 amps. The switch is rated at 16 amps. Thank you for calling out that It is a magnetic switch as I had not noticed that. So I should be good with just this one. No need to add an additional e-stop, cool!
 
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