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 small lathe and mill freely, and the 3-in-1 after a short 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.
Adding your details to request training will not result in you being contacted. It's just to help gauge the needs and show the information needed. Please make contact with trainers yourself.
| Name | Offered / wanted | Skill level | When available |
| Oliver | induction wanted | familiar with lathes and mills | weekends |
| Russsss | offered | ?? | ?? |
| Spooq | offered | ?? | ?? |
| Adrian | offered | familiar with other machines, less so on LHS machines | When you can catch me, or arrange |
| R. Hacker | mentor wanted | zilch | evenings but not mondays |
| S. Hacker | induction wanted for 3in1 | already familiar | tuesday night or as arranged |
| zeroknowledge | mentor wanted | no experience | weekends |
| Billy Smith | Offered and wanted | Got the basics. I can explain those. Looking to extend my skill-set. I know that i don't know the full range of what these things can do... Maintenance on the mini-lathe, i am happy to share what i know. | Whenever i am in the space. Usually at night. Shout me... |
| JDublock | Wanted | Need to be shown the ropes | Weekends |
| booyaa | Induction wanted with the view to learning how to maintain the machine | Used a lathe in my CDT class (secondary school) about 20+ years ago | Tuesday or Thursday but not both |
| Leigh Simmons | Wanted | Familiar with concepts, but no practical experience | Anytime, but preferably not weekends |
| Blobface | Wanted | Used a lathe at university, refresher / where things are kept etc | After 7pm / weekends |
Suggested training
Aim : To be able to use the machine safely and produce a simple piece of work, e.g. a cotton reel shape.
- Basic safety
- Controls
- Chuck key
- Check clamping
- Check unobstructed operation
- Tools
- Choosing a cutting tool
- Mounting and setting centre height
- Tailstock chuck
- Speeds
- Choice of speed
- Changing gears
- Working
- Facing off
- Centre drill
- Drilling from the tailstock
- Parallel cut
- Profiling
- Short taper with the compound slide
- Thread cutting (optional)
External resources
MIT have made a 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
- Lathe 3: Chucking large items; using lathe arbours; turning between centres; working with irregular shapes & thin materials.
