Replies

1. 
   wood_donkey | Mar 16, 2006 08:39pm | #1

   Only concerns would be with mixed use is if you are using cutting fluids/oils on the metals, it would grab any dust and foul your ways and contact surfaces with wood dust.

    

   Donkey

1. 
   Steinmetz | Apr 05, 2006 07:29am | #13

   Don't let those purists scare you. Only routine dusting with a vacuum or air gun will keep any lathe from clogging up from wood shavings
   If you invested about 15.000 bucks in a fancy Leblond, and do extrs precision swiss watch gears, perhaps ?? We're talking a usd Atlas or South Bend even Craftsman F C O L?Steinmetz.

1. 
   wood_donkey | Apr 05, 2006 02:46pm | #14

   Not scared, I teach in a shop that has a mixture of equipment. I have a 13" Clausing/Colchester lathe and smaller South Bend, I also have a CNC router that kicks up a fair amount of dust (when I do not use the dust collector). I have turned some wood on the machine lathes and yes, clean up is extremely important. The amount of fine dust that settles is pretty significant. Just like on wood tools, most woods are abrasive. The lubricants on the machine act as just that, lubricants with metal chips - with wood dust it acts as binder and holds the dust on the moving/mating parts, so "dusting" or "blowing" off is not effective, cleaning is the only solution. No matter the cost of the equipment, proper maintenance/up-keep is essential to consistent and safe operation.Donkey

2. 
   joinerswork | Mar 16, 2006 08:42pm | #2

   Joey,

   I remember an article in FWW a few yrs back about someone who was doing woodturning on a metal lathe.  They were able to turn graceful profiles by cranking the tool holder in and out with one hand while feeding it along the bed ways with the other.  Seemed like drawing fair curves with an etch-a-sketch to me,  but it can, apparently, be done.

   Regards,

   Ray Pine

1. 
   wood_donkey | Mar 16, 2006 09:18pm | #3

   Yup, old school machinists would do the same on a mill to "plot"a contour on a surface.

2. 
   Joey69 | Mar 18, 2006 02:03pm | #4

   Hello Joinerswork:

   I am going to find the article. Since I wrote I decided to turn some legs for  canadian rockers and put the time in to make the cutters and once again I was able to turn them very efficiently and cleanly. In addition the little metal work needed in turning down some washers and making some bushings ended up saving me even more money.

   I am going to be turning some oak and walnut bun feet this weekend and if the results are as successful as what I have been experiencing I am going to do it. Get a metal lathe. Thanks for the feedback. Joey

    

    

1. 
   uhrich | Mar 19, 2006 04:03am | #5

   One possibility you might consider is a Patternmaker's lathe. Oliver and other venerable names built these heavy lathes for turning wood, but they had all the benefits of metal lathes. Check out the "Old Woodworking Machinery" website for info. They are true treasures to use, and well worth the search. -James

1. 
   Joey69 | Mar 19, 2006 10:36pm | #6

   I will do that, I will begin the search.

1. 
   jptenberg | Mar 31, 2006 08:07am | #8

   A word of advice--The search for an Oliver will end in in a LARGE $.  I have been trying to find one for 5 years now, and anything decent has a price tag of 10k+

   Not to mention that they are Huge and very heavy--alas, I wish I could stumble upon one in my neighbor's barn or something...

   Good luck in your search.Peter

   www.jpswoodworking.com

2. 
   joinerswork | Mar 20, 2006 01:59am | #7

   Joey,

   Good luck with your project.

   Regards,

   Ray Pine

3. 
   Steinmetz | Apr 01, 2006 11:30am | #9

   Joey, I have had and used metal lathes for years and cut many articles from wood, brass, aluminum etc. The only extra you'll need to hand turn wood, it a tool rest to fit on the 'ways' and turning tools: Gouges parting tool etc.

   With the lathe's chuck, you could hold any size piece of hex or, round stock (wood or metal) By removing the chuck, and inserting a tapered driving wood center,into the head's spindle, and a 'live' tail stock center.

   Using the lathe's compound rest and tool bits, (Sharpened for wood)you can turn tool (circular) handles from square stock or even off center stuff (Like a log) by using both the in-out/left-right hand wheels Also the longitudinal feed screw for spindles.

   Metal cutting lathes have a variety of speeds and even power feed screws

   Sanding/ filing/ polishing can be done right on the lathe too/

   I made a few of my tool rests myself and they are easy to fabricate Ask it the metal lathe has an 'optional'tool rest.

   They make a multitude of accessories (Read: $$) If you buy a good used lathe perhaps you'll get plenty of attachments in the bargain.

   I guarantee, once you learn the basics of turning on a lathe, you'll be hooked for life. I would recommend a 6" lathe for starting
   Years later you'll probably sell it for more than you paid for it and super size to 12" Steinmetz.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/1/2006 5:14 pm ET by Steinmetz

1. 
   Joey69 | Apr 01, 2006 01:29pm | #10

   Thanks I am in pursuit now of one and your note just continues to convince me that this will be a good decision Joey

4. 
   Shep | Apr 05, 2006 12:05am | #11

   I don't know anything about metal lathes, but I do turn quite a bit.

   The only concern I'd have is how fast a metal lathe can spin. For a lot of the balusters I do, I'm up over 2,000 RPM.

   If you just want to turn bowls, the speeds are a lot slower.

5. 
   DanAlberta | Apr 05, 2006 03:46am | #12

   I talked to machinist friend of mine recently about this and his answer was that yes it can be done. But like wood donkey has said you have to be careful not to get dust mixed in with your cutting oil. You also have to make sure that you clean the ways up every day so you don't damage them. The wood sawdust can damage the guides and the ways. I don't know exactly what happens to them.