which lathe for ballscrew turning

[margni74]

I'm trying to build a cnc machine and I need to have quite a few parts turned. ballscrews, bearing blocks, etc, etc, I think the $$ would be better spent on a lathe that way i can try and build the parts myself and learn something.

Is there a small lathe in the ~$500 price that would be able to turn the ends of 30+" ballscrews? I guess i would need a lathe where I would be able to feed the material through the chuck, not sure what that particular feature is called. In my research on the web I haven't really seen this shown or described.. although this is all new to me.

[MrWild]

Is there a small lathe in the ~$500 price that would be able to turn the ends of 30+" ballscrews?

No. You may get very lucky and find a deal on a used lathe, but even then, you would have to be national lottery winner lucky for what you need.

[hoss2006]

A 7x12 or 7x10 minilathe like this one
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8688
have a spindle bore(.750 in) that will allow a .625 ballscrew to pass thru.
I turned my ballscrew ends before I tore my 7x10 from harbor Freight apart for another project.
A length of 30" or more could work if you support the other end from flopping in the breeze.
A block of wood mounted to the bench with a 5/8 hole for the screw to pass would be good enough to keep it level with the lathe.
It will be good enough to get the job done.
Hoss

[margni74]

No. You may get very lucky and find a deal on a used lathe, but even then, you would have to be national lottery winner lucky for what you need.

So, in your estimation is what i should look to spend? Do I need a really heavy duty unit for this type of work?

[margni74]

A 7x12 or 7x10 minilathe like this one
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8688
have a spindle bore(.750 in) that will allow a .625 ballscrew to pass thru.
I turned my ballscrew ends before I tore my 7x10 from harbor Freight apart for another project.
A length of 30" or more could work if you support the other end from flopping in the breeze.
A block of wood mounted to the bench with a 5/8 hole for the screw to pass would be good enough to keep it level with the lathe.
It will be good enough to get the job done.
Hoss

Thanks for the info, im reading through the manual now.

[skmetal7]

what diameter ballscrews are u turning?

[margni74]

what diameter ballscrews are u turning?

the screw i have is 25mm in diameter. I have a couple of others ranging from 1/2-3/4 inch.

[camarillojohn]

My advice is to get enrolled in your local community college and learn a lot about the various things that you are trying to do.
At the present you don't want to make "Ball Lead Screws" you will end up spending a lot of money on material due to mistakes.
best of luck to you.

John

[tai42]

I have done similar sized pieces (although not ballscrews) on my HF 8X12 lathe (actually an 8x14, HF just doesn't know how to measure a lathe.) It can be had on sale for around $440, and in my opinion is a much more capable machine than the 7x series. (A review can be read here.) You will absolutely need to support the end sticking out the head stock. (I actually have a place to bolt the steady rest to behind the lathe that puts it at the right height, but the wood blocks should work as previously mentioned.)

[in2steam]

Nobody had asked this,
Are the ballscrews hard? if so you might as well do it with an angle grinder, if they are just rolled you might get lucky but either way its not easy to do regardless of the machine.

Chris

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Take a look here; it may help you decide or at least it will be a very good recourse when you come to do it your self.

http://www.5bears.com/cnc16.htm

John

[margni74]

Nobody had asked this,
Are the ballscrews hard? if so you might as well do it with an angle grinder, if they are just rolled you might get lucky but either way its not easy to do regardless of the machine.

Chris

They are indeed hardened.