lathe/tool maintenance

I can break a Nova 3000 down into parts in 20 min.

steve antonucci

>Yep- most of my machines have been modified in some way. My Nova has been apart too many times to count. I "fabricated" a long outboard too rest out of some black pipe fittings, which is supported on the far side by a 2x4 stand. Works way better than it sounds.

I upgraded my Nova to a 1.5 HP motor, and took the old 1HP to my Sears Crapsman Bandsaw. It was a noticable improvement over 1/2 HP. Also, knocked the cheesy plastic know off of the top, and fabbed a handle with some leverage. No more knuckle busting.

I removed the base leg kit on my tablesaw and put it on a rolling box. Easier to move, plus contains the mess.

I can't picture having a shop without 1/2 of it being cobbled together from old parts. It would be un-American...

Steve

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

JL

>I do perform maintenance and tuning. Alterations? I don't know. What do you call altering? I do build jigs and fixtures for my tablesaw, routers and lathe. Some of them are "mounted". Are these alterations? I don't "do" steel as I don't have a welder.

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

Peter Teubel

>I used to modify things ALOT. But I got sick and tired of simply moving the weak point to another location. Good machinery is designed to work well within its design parameters. I've streched/bend/broke those parameters more times that I would prefer to count. For me, I want to *DO* not tinker anymore. Tuning is one thing that all machinery can benefit from, however I'm thru with major modifications. It used to be fun, but I'd now rather work WITH machinery than ON machinery.

Necessity is the mother of invention

Dominic Greco at home in Richboro, PA

>John,

I've always been pretty handy with my set of craftsman mechanics tools. But it wasn't until after the flood of 1999, and had to rebuild every tool in my shop that I became really proficient at it.

Now, (with some frequent help from WC) I can diagnose most problems and strip the machine down in no time. Getting the spare parts takes most of the time.

As far as modifying existing machinery, that's a a piece of cake. I've upgraded more motors and power transmission gear than I'd like to admit. Dropping a 2Hp motor into a Jet BS was my latest effort.

You mentioned frequently tuning up your machines. I don't know how someone could not have a home based wood shop without spending some time on this. The quality of the "cut" depends so much on your tool's calibration. That's like trying to use a handplane when it's dull. And it only takes a small amount of time to remedy this!

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: I can break a Nova 3000 down into parts in 20

Barry Turner

>And what are you gonna do with a bucketful of Nova 300 parts?

Re: Necessity is the mother of invention

john Lucas

>Dominic I feel the same way. I tune my table saw, scroll saw and bandsaw as often as they need it. I actually enjoy it but I certainly understand those who don't. It's kind of like working on a car. I no longer enjoy that. With all the electronics and the way things are crammed in (plus I took up all the space in the garage for my shop) I'd rather be turning than working on the truck.

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

john Lucas

>Peter

Since I started buying better quality machined most of my work is simply tune up not modification. I agree with you I try not to go beyond what the machine was designed for.

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

John K Jordan

>I'm amazed at the new horizons a few metal-working tools have opened: a simple wire welder, acetylene torch, angle grinder, chop saw, metal-cutting band saw, etc.

For things I used to fret about how to do or fix, I now just grab some steel or brass and weld or braze away. It is often FAR easier to bend or weld a simple bracket than to figure out how to glue or screw something together. I've made everything from small brackets and fixtures and tools to tractor repairs on 3/8" thick steel.

What I really "need" now is a small metal-cutting lathe and, of course, a milling machine! And a plasma cutter and heliarc welder. And a break and press and...

JKJ in East TN

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

john Lucas

>John

I bought a Mig welder a few years ago and go an antique powered Hacksaw this last year. Couple that with some blacksmithing and jewlery making skills that I am learning and I'm having a ball. Next on my list. A Gas torch and a Smithy. I've wanted a metal lathe since leaving college and will own a Smithy before too many years go by.

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

Barry Irby

>Somehow I don't mind adjusting my lathe occasionally and my table saw now and then, and even my RAS when it needs it, buy I am getting to really hate my band saw. It just seems to sort of pass through being adjusted on the way to somewhere else. I have dreams of gunning the B@$t@rd down. Maybe I'll hit the lottery and buy another. Then invite everyone over and we can sell tickets to beat the crap out of it and give the money to the turning club.

Oh yeah, I started wood working when I was a kid and had no money. I would still rather make something like a jig or fixture than buy it. I have to be really convinced the bought one is better than the one I would make.

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

John K Jordan

>>blacksmithing and jewlery making skills...

Hey, if you ever run into someone with a used centrifuge for sale, I'm looking for one. I made silver lost wax castings back in the '70s at Berea College and I'd love to do some more.

JKJ in East TN

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

echo8287

>I make all my mobile bases for my equipment.I also make all the stands and tables. When I got my PM bandsaw,I made a belt tensioner to go on it and it was brand new. I thought PM should include one on all their machines as it did not cost but a couple of dollars to make. I enjoy making improvements to anything. David

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

Ruth in So. Cal

>I'd like to be able to do my own maintenance but don't know how. It's not that I don't have the skills, which I don't, but more about not having anyone to show me. Show me how and I can do it. Draw a picture of a wiring diagramme and it just looks like double dutch to me.

I always read in-depth the posts where folks show how they did this and that, but it just doesn't register. My lathe has never had a head and tail stock lined up, and I know it's out of whack but don't know what to do (it sits on round bars). I know there are ways to make everything adjust from the top of the ways and not underneath...but I don't know how to do it.

I did take a welding lesson and make some tool rests that work nicely, but when you 'guys' start talking, it just is above my head.

Regardless of the subject, here is what I read...

'John, when you burned the thingymagig at 185 degree angle, did you calibrate the toaster before or after? And, if it was after, did you first convert the ac to dc and then triple wire the gizmo to the spout before branding and shaving that whatdoyoucallit?

'well, no Derek, I just upturned the ways and soldered on a 6 gauge bit to the inner chamber of the cylinder, then I twisted the contraption to a .006 magnitude garbanzo and then finished it all with wipe on poly, ya can't tell the difference between this and DNA with an alcohol concentration of .38. However, the Ellsworth grind is off a tangent, about 3 microns left of the spigot'.......

But, I love reading about it all and hope one day it will make sense!

I did build my own house though...Ladies, have you ever noticed when you say you did something, that the guys will say...'yeah, but I bet you had help' Yet, when a guy says he built his own house, another guy won't say, yeah, but I bet you had help!!

I built it myself

Terry Daniel

>Hey Ruth, I built my house with my son's help. He was at the time. We took down the trees, sawed and stacked the lumber to dry, and built the house. Total cost $4 per square foot give or take.

Re: lathe/tool maintenance

Gary Evans, Tallassee, TN

>ROFLMAO!

I feel the same way some times at what some folks think is a simple explanation of a solution.

I guess I'm also guilty of being a bit too technical at times with my responses.

Thanks for the reality check.

Gary

Well said Peter, 100% agreement if I had the money

Dave Smith, Longview, WA

>

Re: belt tensioner question.

Al Crandall --NE of Indy--

>Did you mean belt as in motor drive pulley vee belt, or did you mean blade tensioner for the band? I don't think I've ever seen a tensioner for the motor belt. Could you describe what it looks like and how it is used?