Simple Lathe Projects?

[mwalach]

I'm looking for something simple I can have my students make on a metal lathe. Something they can do in 1 or 2 1hr sessions. Also, material is limited. I have a lot of 1/2" steel bar stock.

I would like the kids to have to read a simple blueprint.

[One of Many]

For basic lathe training in my shop classes(bygone 30years past) we made C-clamps, center punches and ball peen hammers.

Although the C-clamp was a mill/lathe project, it did include many basic skills required for machine operations. Lathe turning the screw threads, knurling the screw head and cross drilling for a slider bar, Drilling and tapping the frame after the profile was cut. Turning a swivel foot and swedging it onto the screw end. A bit more than a few hours I suppose, but if broken into sub-projects it makes a nice little clamp on course completion. I still have all mine.

The center punch also had knurling and taper turning. Drilling and reaming the business end for a press fit insert point that required heat treating 0-1 drill rod. You could come up with similar projects like scribes with carbide tips made from tungsten welding electrodes.

Small vise jaw stops are another mill project.

DC

[tyleryoungblood]

Originally Posted by mwalach I'm looking for something simple I can have my students make on a metal lathe. Something they can do in 1 or 2 1hr sessions. Also, material is limited. I have a lot of 1/2" steel bar stock. I would like the kids to have to read a simple blueprint.

I've started a site that offers metalworking project plans (blueprints in PDF format) for the metal lathe and mill. The plans range from beginner to advanced and many of them are suitable for the amateur or student machinist. They are free to download and would probably be perfect for your students. Some of the plans are of projects I completed as a student myself.

The site is easy to remember:

http://www.projectsinmetal.com/

Let me know if you have any questions (by posting a comment on the site).

I hope that helps!

Tyler