Did it, got a new Mini Lathe

[Gadzooks/Steve]

I got the HF 7x10 today. I am just a hobbiest at most and have no lathe experience at all. I plan on using the lathe on Awana Grand Prix axles(same as pinewood derby with the Scouts.) I guess it was kinda an expensive toy.

Steve

[Gadzooks/Steve]

Ok. not going as well as I had hoped. I turned on the machine and blew the built in fuse. /sad

At this point tips and pointers are gladly accepted.

Steve

[LUCKY13]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks/Steve Ok. not going as well as I had hoped. I turned on the machine and blew the built in fuse. /sad At this point tips and pointers are gladly accepted. Steve

I dont have the know how to do you any good on this. But if you blew a fuss I would expect you may have been over working it or not on a good electric line to cause the overload ( dont use extention cords).

Just take your time & think about what you are doing & be safe. Small steps. Some of the training vids floating around may help alot also.

You bought your lathe & started working and never meantioned anything about going over the machine & checking things & setting it up. This might be a good time to backup & regroup. Just take your time, things dont just happen by fliping a switch. It takes preperation & know how.




But so others may be able to help you what are trying to do (turn axles) , what kinda metal,tools,speed & feed you using? Did you check all fluids/greese that the machine is suppose to have?


Jess

[pastera]

Check out www.mini-lathe.com and the 7x10 (lots of off topic) and 7x12 (on topic) yahoo groups.

If the lathe blew the fuse on turn on (E-stop release) then the bridge rectifier is most probably shorted - bring it back.

The better version is the Homier 7x12 which is actually 4 inches longer for $299. Even with normal shipping it is cheaper than the Habor Freight version.


BTW: My children are in Awanas and just did the Grand Prix - a lot of fun for the kids small and big (ME)

Aaron

[Gadzooks/Steve]

before plugging in the lathe I was sure to bring all things back so they would not hit the chuck. I also made sure that the gears were not engaged. The first time I turned on the machine nothing happend. At that point I started to fiddle with the switches and got it to spin for a moment, that is when it blew a fuse. I went to the local auto store that was still open for some more fuses which they did not have. I did however get a new fuse assembly along with some 3amp fuses and installed it.
Turned on the machine again and nothing. After flickering the switches a bit, the lathe worked a couple times. I took a break from it a bit, upon returning to it again it did not work. After flickering switches again it worked.

The machine works sometimes without blowing fuses. There does not seem to be any problem with the rpm control when the machine is running. I have also not turned anything with the machine.

I placed a call to HF today and they told me to bring it in for a replacement which i will do tomorrow.

What type of collet should I get for this machine. Like I said I plan to turn some thin axles with the lathe. any and all suggestions appreciated, and TY for all that have commented so far.

Steve

[pastera]

If you are going to be turning the pinewood derby axles, I would make a chuck to hold them.

Chuck a short length (5")of round stock, 1/2"-5/8" is fine. Drill 1/4" to within 3/4" of the end. Bore to .380 (just over 3/8) for 3/4 and part off the bored section.

Remove, reverse and rechuck with ~2.5" extending from the chuck.

Turn 2" to 3/8" with a 0.010-0.020 taper larger at the chuck end. relieve the sharp edge. Drill to the axle size through to the 1/4" bore.

Mark the part and one jaw so the part can be rechucked in the same orientation and extension.

remove the part and slit the tapered portion twice at 90° along the axis to the end of the taper. Deburr

Rechuck aligning the marks. insert an axle and tap the ring made in the first step over the tapered portion to lock the axle in place.

Aaron