Metal Lathe Training

This page is to coordinate people offering and requiring training on the machine tools (lathe, mill and 3-in-1). If you have previous experience you will normally be allowed to use the lathe and mill after a induction session (to cover any queries and provide a brief guide and warnings).

The problem with these machines is that there are hundreds of techniques to learn and much needs to be done hands-on, so it isn't practical to run lectures. Most people will have knowledge only of the techniques that they have needed to date. You will only need to learn basic rules and the techniques important to you, but getting started and gaining a proper respect for the machines to ensure your and their safety requires some instruction. Once you have learned to use the machine safely, you will have to acquire more knowledge through asking people, reading books, and from internet resources.

If you have no previous experience you will need much more careful training probably in small groups or one-on-one. It will probably be best to do some initial sessions on the small machines and move to the 3 in 1 if required or when ready. This need not be long unless you're especially hamfisted, but even this requires a reasonable effort from people willing to offer training so please appreciate the level of commitment required. This is not a 5 minute talk and a bit of software.

Please add your details to request training please also Please make contact with trainers on the mailing list as they may not check the wiki

Training Sessions

Please replace empty slots with your name to sign up to the next training session - do not create new slots!

Typically the training sessions last 4 hours, are intended to bring allow people with no previous experience the ability to learn to use the machine safely.

Prerequisites

Good footwear, Eye protection (should normally be available in the space), No Baggy clothing or un-restrained hair. £1.00 if you choose to buy material to do the stepped shaft example.

Please indicate your experience level when putting your name against a slot!

Watch the required videos - MIT have made a setof training videos

• series of videos about safely working in a machine shop. The relevant ones are:
• Lathe 1: Lathe basics; turning and facing; cutting off a part
• Lathe 2: Tapping; boring; knurling; cutting tapers; turning shafts with a live centre; single point thread turning

Waiting List

Name - Membership Number - Level

Robert Fernandes / HS28863 / intermediate

Maintainers

The current maintainers on the Liam Lynch, Dean Forbes and Tim Jacobs

External resources

MIT

• series of videos about safely working in a machine shop. The relevant ones are:
• Lathe 1: Lathe basics; turning and facing; cutting off a part
• Lathe 2: Tapping; boring; knurling; cutting tapers; turning shafts with a live centre; single point thread turning