New Taig lathe, i got a few questions..

[MynamesKenny19]

Hey guys, I haven't posted anything on here in like a year I think, been lurking around and reading all I can about different small lathes and well, i ordered the basic lathe package on Nick Carter's website a few days ago and it ships Friday, 10-22-10. I have a few questions about it that I hope some of you guys can answer if ya don't mind =]

What do I use when I lap the lathe? I've read somewhere that somebody used 3-in-1 oil and Comet, is that ok?

Is a 1/10hp motor okay to use? It's off my old Delta scroll saw, all I could find that would work right with the rpm's.

Can I turn granite and if so, what kind of bit do I need to use? That was an odd question, just wondering about the abilities of the Taig =]

What's everybody's favorite material to turn on the Taig?

One last Q, do carbide tipped tool bits work good on this lathe? I don't have a grinder yet and I was wondering if I can get the big carbide tool bit assortment from Enco for like $35.

Thanks for reading this and hopefully replying, I can't wait to get the lathe and set it up and make stuff! Oh yeah, I intend to make parts for my dad's Airforce Condor and my benjamin Discovery, as well as parts for my rc cars.

-Ken

[awerby]

What do I use when I lap the lathe? I've read somewhere that somebody used 3-in-1 oil and Comet, is that ok?

[Don't do that, at least right away. These lathes, unlike some that come from China, come ready to run. If there's really a problem, you can consider it, but it really shouldn't be necessary.]

Is a 1/10hp motor okay to use? It's off my old Delta scroll saw, all I could find that would work right with the rpm's.

[That's too small. Find a 1/4hp motor or better; it doesn't have to be anything fancy.]

Can I turn granite and if so, what kind of bit do I need to use? That was an odd question, just wondering about the abilities of the Taig =]

[No, that would destroy your lathe. Even if you did manage to cut it without blowing up your bit (doubtful), the abrasive dust would kill the slides and screws in short order.]

What's everybody's favorite material to turn on the Taig?

[I like machinable wax, but acetal plastic (Delrin) is good if you're making parts to use and not just mold.]

One last Q, do carbide tipped tool bits work good on this lathe? I don't have a grinder yet and I was wondering if I can get the big carbide tool bit assortment from Enco for like $35.

[You only need carbide-tipped tools if you're working in hardened tool steels, or stainless, titanium, etc. Get good with the HSS tools and regular materials first, and work up from there. I think the Enco assortment is mostly too big, anyway.]

Andrew Werby
ComputerSculpture.com — Home Page for Discount Hardware & Software

[MynamesKenny19]

Alright, thanks for replying man, that helped quite a bit lol. So I don't have to lap the way on the unassembled lathe? I'll have to look around for a bigger motor, don't have much money to spend on it yet, gotta wait a bit. I think I'll check the scrapyard tomorrow.

[gwillem]

Don't know if this'll help, but you can probably find a 1/4 to 1/2 hp motor at any metal recyclers. I also volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity Restore, and we literally have about 10 sitting on the shelf, not moving at all. Most of them are under $25 bucks.
As for your question about cutting tools for the taig, HSS all the way. Carbides are designed for machines with massive horsepower, like 15 or more. It literally takes that much power to make them work
HSS tools can be sharpened to remove material more precisely, cleanly, and they just work better for the kinds of materials you will be able to work on a taig.
It'll take practice, but when you get good, you'll see what I mean. I regularly reached an 8 finish and a .0004" accuracy using HSS toolbits, boring out clutch housings.

[MynamesKenny19]

Don't know if this'll help, but you can probably find a 1/4 to 1/2 hp motor at any metal recyclers. I also volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity Restore, and we literally have about 10 sitting on the shelf, not moving at all. Most of them are under $25 bucks.
As for your question about cutting tools for the taig, HSS all the way. Carbides are designed for machines with massive horsepower, like 15 or more. It literally takes that much power to make them work
HSS tools can be sharpened to remove material more precisely, cleanly, and they just work better for the kinds of materials you will be able to work on a taig.
It'll take practice, but when you get good, you'll see what I mean. I regularly reached an 8 finish and a .0004" accuracy using HSS toolbits, boring out clutch housings.

Wow bud, thanks for the info!!! Totally helped. Even if I get hss blanks, i still need a grinder as I don't have one right now. 1/10hp motor just simply won't do it??? Even if i take very light cuts of around .005 - .010?? I honestly don't have much money to spend on a bigger motor and accesories and a grinder, all my money goes to car insurance, rent, and food lol. If I can scrounge up enough money, I'll get a bigger motor first.

I have 2 questions to anybody who's reading this:
Can HSS cut HSS? If so, can i mount a piece of HSS in the 4-jaw chuck and use another toolbit to cut the geometries of whatever particular bit I need instead of grinding? Or would it be too stressful on the cutting bit in the tool post because of the gnarly interrupted cut of the other bit turning in the chuck?

Thank's for reading this and helpin me out, I'm a noob at this stuff still.

[gwillem]

All I can say about the motor is give it a try. I've got a converted sewing machine that I use as a lathe, but I only use it for very fine cuts and shaping.
For hss tools you will need the grinder, though, even if you can find a place that supplies pre shaped tools. They do get dull, like anything else.

[desktoplathes]

Wow bud, thanks for the info!!! Totally helped. Even if I get hss blanks, i still need a grinder as I don't have one right now. ...

Ken - I recommend getting the pre-ground set of HSS tools that Taig offers (Taig Tools - Desktop Milling Machines and Lathes.). They will get you started and offer a good example from which to model your future custom ground tools. They are a bit pricey so if you have to go with one or two, I'd recommend getting a right or left hand (1097A or B). They are actually identical tools...

Regarding the motor, I use the 1/4 hp motor that taig offers, but I hear you can find surplus motors for much less. Several people reported good success with treadmill tear downs - which can be had cheap if they're older or broken. -Keith

[noisillator]

Carbides are designed for machines with massive horsepower, like 15 or more. It literally takes that much power to make them work

What??? I use inexpensive 1/4" carbide cutters on my Taig with excellent results. They cut easily and cleanly, and so far haven't needed resharpening (I machine 6061 almost excelusively).

[MynamesKenny19]

Hey, I'm making a few small presents for family members out of Black Walnut and all I have is the brazed carbide tooling still, what speed should i rough turn the pieces? Each piece will be 2.5" square x 3" long. If you can help me out, thanks! Happy late Turkey day to you guys! =]