Using the Taig Mill as a Lathe?

[scubasteve_911]

Hello Everyone,

I own a CNC taig mill with an ER16 collet. I was trying to see if it was possible to make a large plate for a taig lathe headstock and a tailstock, then mount it securely to the milling table.

Is it possible to use the tslots in the tailstock to hold a tool post? Has anyone done this? I really just want to spin a piece of metal rod and have the axes move around to cut into the spinning piece. Forgive me if this is extremely simple, but I have never used a lathe before and I really want the capabilities of a lathe.

Is there such a tool available? I'd obviously need to have two toolposts at 90degrees in order to allow cutting the OD , then one for the ID. Can anyone offer any advice? Or, maybe a link to someone who has done this?

Thanks very much!

Steve

[bborb]

I'm having trouble picturing what you're trying to accomplish. Could you post a sketch/drawing?

[scubasteve_911]

Hi,

I'm sorry if I lacked detail..

Basically, I have a three axis millng machine and I want to mount tool posts to my headstock. I would mount a lathe spindle with a 3-jaw chuck onto the table. Then, I would use the CNC jog controls to position the carbide cutting tool (mounted in the tool post) to start cutting the spinning part.

My question is, has someone made an adapter for the taig headstock for this purpose? I might be missing something obvious, but I thought it seemed reasonable.

Thanks very much!,

Steve

[acondit]

Steve,

Take a look at this thread starting around messages 86 thru 110. See if it gives you any ideas. I think Hoss did basically what you are talking about, only he used a mini-lathe head instead of a Taig.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...t=30385&page=3


Alan

[scubasteve_911]

Perfect! That's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!

Stephen