Metal Lathe Training
This page is to information for people who are interested in the metal lathe. If you have previous experience you will normally be allowed to use the lathe after a induction session (to cover any queries and provide a brief guide.
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's to get started
To get started you will need proper respect for the machines to ensure your and their safety requires some instruction in terms of skill and technique.
Once you have learned to use the machine safely for the basics, 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 to invest much more effort and be very careful. please understand the level of commitment required. This is not a 5 minute talk and a bit of software.
In order to get a place on a training session you will need to watch for announcements on the 'lhs-induction-requests' channel on the hackspace Discord server
Maintainers
The current maintainers are Liam Lynch, Dean Forbes Toby and Tim
Training Sessions
Typically the training sessions can last up to 4 hours, they are intended to bring members to a level where they can use the machine safely.
Prerequisites
Good footwear, Eye protection (should normally be available in the space), No Baggy clothing or un-restrained hair.
please watch the required videos - MIT have made a set of training videos
- 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
recommended viewing
Waiting List
For the time being there is a combined waiting list for this and the milling machine, see Metal Lathe/ Mill Training Waiting List
Authorised Members
- 2022-06-08 / Dragos / HS32771 / Power Feed, Collet Chuck L2 - TM
- 2022.05.25 / Dave / HS33388 / Beginner L1 - TM
- 2022.04.21 / Rob / HS27573 / Beginner L1 - TM
- 2022.03.25 / Dragos / HS32771 / Beginner L1 - TM
- 2022.02.28 / Petr / HS33204 / Intermediate L2 - TM
- 2022.09.15 / Chris / HS32763 / Intermediate L2 - DF
- 2020.09.15 / Ana / HS28349 / Beginner L1 - DF
- 2020.09.15 / Robert / HS28863 / Intermediate L2 - DF
Work in Progress New Training Section
The lathe training information above is in the process of being re-written in the following format, but for now please ignore any of the content below
Training at hackspace is divided into a range of different topics/ modules, which are graded level 1 through to level 3. All LHS members will need to start with a level 1 induction, and can then train on additional skills/ topics from the level 2 or 3 series as they progress and become more experienced.
Level 1 – Beginner Lathe Skills
Level 1 training consists of a single course which is designed to take a complete beginner through all the essential skills needed to produce basic but functional parts on a lathe. It will also act as a good refresher/ competency test for those who already have experience from elsewhere. Members must start by watching the recommended videos listed below, to learn as much of the theory in advance – although no substitute for practical experience, machining is a skill where a firm grasp of both is essential and there will not be time to cover both in the induction session. We will start the training session by re-capping the theory and going over the key safety concerns before we move onto taking our first cuts with an external turning tool, facing and turning. We will then introduce the tailstock and explain its role in supporting long workpieces and use it to drill a hole. Finally, we will demonstrate how to measure the work and use the DRO to work to dimensions. The course will end with a semi-supervised test part which you will make, putting the skills you have learned into practice. Note that level 1 only considers use of a 3-jaw chuck, level 2 training is required for other work holding methods. This course usually requires a fee (which goes into a pot for future LHS purchases). This is usually £40, but can be reduced if this is too much for you to pay – please speak to your trainer in advance – we don’t want this to be a barrier to entry.
Level 2 - Intermediate Lathe Skills
Level 2 training is broken down into a range of small manageable topics – this means we can really focus on covering the subject in detail. Sessions are less formal then level 1, and should be arranged as and when the new skill is needed, ideally with a part or project in mind so we can tailor the session accordingly. Beginner users can ask for a level 2 session once they have completed at least 20 hours of unsupervised practical lathe use following a level 1 induction (if you can’t think of enough projects to keep you going for 20 hours, speak to a maintainer – we may well have some hackspace maintenance projects in mind that need parts making!). If you already have experience from elsewhere, particularly in the topic you want to cover, then this could be brought forward. Note there is usually no cost for these sessions, apart from tools and/ or materials. Just like level 1, you will need to take the time to learn the theory of the operation before you arrive for a session as this will significantly reduce the training burden. Recommended youtube videos are referenced below.
Parting Tools
Boring Bars Power Feed
External Threading
Collet Chuck
4-Jaw Chuck
HSS Tools and Tool Grinding
Level 3 - Advanced Lathe Skills
Level 3 works in the same way as level 2 training - the difference is essentially that level 3 topics are much more difficult and require a more experienced lathe user – we’d generally be expecting at least 40 hours of unsupervised use before arranging a session. Some of these topics are also follow-ons to other topics (e.g. internal threading follows external) so these must be considered first.
Faceplate Work
Turning Between Centres
Metal Spinning
Taper Turning
Other topics
If you’d like to try out any technique not covered by these training notes then please get in touch with the maintainers – we generally love to try out new ideas so we’ll do what we can to make it happen, but please bear in mind safety of our members and preventing damage to our machines have to take priority – particularly with some of the more ‘exotic’ operations you may see on youtube.
