Hi Hal, Thanks for the nice comment. There is more to the story. My friend on the east coast went and looked at the lathe we found. He went over it himself with a fine tooth comb. The seller thought he was a professional machinist the way he went over the lathe. That's the kind of story that makes me proud and keeps me doing this stuff. A little secret, that table is cold. I need the carpet to keep my elbows from freezing. Kind regards, Tom
well it's a lathe czcams.com/users/postUgkxN9zrzkkhnjUF5PQbuA_B1gYdsfCu9k6z but it wasn't what i would have anticipated. Headstock, tailstock, carriage apron are manufactured from aluminum now not cast iron. The spindle diameter for the bearings is too small allowing for a few play in the spindle so I am using some blue Loctite to take out the play.
Just wanted to say thanks for the video--very informative, even for those of us who don't know much about lathes. 5 years on and this video is still doing good works.
Hi Tom, As always, great advice. You asked for suggestions... As a total novice who has moved a couple heavy machines so far: One is if the seller will let you look inside the headstock for chewed up dogs or wear on the main and intermediate shaft (especially on spur gear types) I think novices might not be able to tell just by sound under power. Secondly, if a buyer has a "United Rentals" or comparable rental yard nearby them, one can rent a tilt deck tandem axle trailer for like $65.00 for the weekend. Pick up Friday and return Monday AM. You usually have to reserve them. Makes it nice if you have a slanted driveway or no forklift that will fit under say, under a residential garage door. I had the pleasure of meeting and buying a few things from you at Chuck B's meet and greet ( before Covid). I appreciate you giving back and sharing your trade knowledge.Thanks for doing what you do!
Lots of super practical info in here, thanks for this video Tom. Really important to have other people with you to move equipment this massive. Things can get extremely dangerous/costly very fast.
Thank You for the elaborate description on How to Buy a Lathe Machine. Thank You Mr. Tom Lipton, it is really a pleasure watching your videos and being a student of yours I feel enriched reaping knowledge from you. All the very best for your future endeavours. Good Luck.
Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise on how you do different types of operations. I have just found your channel and am really enjoying. Metal working has always been a desire and with the wealth of knowledge you and others have put on You Tube it is close to becoming a reality. Thank you again for sharing,
This was by far the most instructive video I've ever seen. Thank you so much! I'm about to buy a colchester triumph 2000 (1,2t). After seeing this, I asked for a second appointment to check the machine again. The part about moving it was very helpful too. I had a general idea how to do it, but always asked myself how to lift the machine to get a forklift or something below it. Thank you very much. Keep this quality up please. Thanks Michael
Hi Flip, Good point on the electrical. You are also correct that during the inspection you are surveying all aspects of the machine. By testing all the features and actions of the machine these bent, broken sloppy and worn things make themselves apparent. Using indicators and actually measuring wear are really outside the scope of a short video like this. It really depends on what you want in a machine and comfort level for the various problems you might uncover. Best, Tom
Thanks for making this video. I can't personally look at either of the two lathes i have to choose from, but i picked up on a few additional questions to ask. Much appreciated
Tom I really wanted to thank you for doing this, I too will be looking for a lathe in my future but was not sure how to check it. Thanks for taking the time to teach your trade to all of us, I know this is a pain in the butt to video all the time however I find them well done and informative, I particularly like the fireside chat when you sit at your workbench with your arms folded over the carpet mat and share, you are a vanishing breed my friend thanks again for your efforts. Hal
Thanks so much for this video. I am going to look at a used Clausing 1500 lathe tomorrow and created a checklist for my evaluation so I can inspect the machine just as you did in the video. I now feel really well equipped to do a good evaluation and feel that I won't forget anything that I might have otherwise overlooked. Thanks for all the great knowledge you share. I truly appreciate it and look forward to each new video you post. Thanks again!
Hi Guy, Good luck on your lathe hunt. Take your time and look at everything. Let us know how it works out. Be sure to take lots of pictures while your there. Helps when you are mulling over it. cheers Tom
Hi Lastman, I think everybody should have that South Bend How to run a lathe book. It answers so many questions for lathe users. The material is still relevant nearly a hundred years later. There are also some South Bend Lathe training movies somewhere on YT. I bumped into one a while back. You will be glad you got it. Regards, Tom
As an aspiring/hack machinist I just want to say thank you for this video. It was very informative as I seem to find myself in the market for a lathe. Keep up the great work. -Kyle
Hi Again Tom, Just wanted to add that I loved your home brewed skates, much better than heavy walled pipe that is most often used, and also agree that a pallet lift is a valuable asset in any machine shop. Cheers and best wishes, Rob.
My friends thought I was seriously strange when I purchased a pallet jack for my home workshop. But I look at the world very differently now with the ability to move up to 2500Kg's with ease and safety. Now everything I own that is heavy, stationary & not inside the house must obey "@ least 3 inches of clearance" rule. :-) I brought my lathe new because as a newbie I never had the opportunity to be demo'd what to look for in a 2nd hand one. The world is better for your sharing, good video sir.
Very enjoyable, thank you. People like yourselves are somewhat rare, not because you obviously know what you are talking about, but you can put it across to the viewer in an easy going and informative way. Keep up the good work, kind regards, Roger Williams , UK.
Nice in depth video. Considering a search for a small lathe, this info will come in handy. Used to run a Le Blonde Regal in a prototype shop, nicest lathe I ever ran.
Having moved a few machines, some of the things we've used are: -Hilman Rollers, these are a chain type roller and will work over slightly uneven surfaces and some crap on the floor, these can be rented from most Tool rental places. -4x6 or 6x6 timbers to make 'skis' under lathes, this allows you to move it Egyptian style on pipe -Railroad jacks to pick up a machine to get blocks/timbers under it -Automotive floor jacks if the machine has enough clearance to use one to get rollers or pipe under it We've used a winch to drag the machine up on the trailer, this is also where the 'skis' really help: - If you cut a 'lead' onto the ski, it will ride over imperfections in the trailer deck (works well on my diamond plate trailer deck, wood trailer decks may generate too much friction for the ski's to slide well) - The ski's will also help 'tie' the legs together, which will prevent damage if one of the feet were to get snagged on something While I don't necessarily recommend it, we've used a floor drain in the basement/garage floor as a pulling point, stuck a piece of pipe in it (pipe must fit tight into the drain to transfer the force to the concrete), chained the winch to it, and used it to unload the trailer. We've also used 'lever' style chain binders in lieu of a winch, you can usually get a couple links of chain per pull, and use a pipe on the handle to keep from wearing yourself out. If you use a winch, use a snatch-block to slow the pull down (and give yourself more mechanical advantage with the winch). If you're moving the machine down hill (or up hill), make sure you have some blocks or chains to throw in front of the wheels to control the progression of the machine down the hill, or (regression if going up hill).
Hey Ice, All good information. The key is to have enough stuff that you don't take shortcuts and have a problem. Thanks for the comment and participation. Cheers, Tom
great video, as someone getting into metalworking but not having any previous experience, it can be really intimidating to go look at machines. being the most expensive thing ive ever bought other than my house, and the heaviest thing ive bought that dosent move itself, the whole process is intimidating and videos like this really help. as others have said, id also be verry intrested in a bridgeport video and mabey a surface grinder video. thanks and keep up the good work
My old lathe is from the 30-40's, flatbelt driven from a shaft in the ceiling, she came from Cockatoo Island in Sydney harbour and was used by the navy during WW2. 9" throw in the step, and a 4' bed, no quick change gearbox. The bed step piece is missing, and someone has repaired a gear in the front apron by building it up with weld and remachining the gear, she's old and well worn, long bed, big throw and I love old things. Thanks Tom for sharing your knowledge. Cheers from Australia, Waz.
Hi Tom, many thanks for taking the time to make and upload this video. It's really very helpful for somebody like me, who's coming into (in my case) hobby of machining. Just wish I had seen this vid before buying my lathe! ;) Cheers!
Really really informative video Tom. Thank you for valuable insight and tips! They will help a lot of us avoid a potentially serious equipment and or personal injury! Great video!
I spent a couple of hours making those angle iron/pallet jack wheel moving brackets last week. They work great. I found that by putting them about 1/3 along from the head stock and by moving the tail stock to get the balance right I could push the lathe along by myself. Thanks for the great advice
I just bought an old R McDougall lath that has been laying around for years and not being used. It has taken me three days to just clean up the surface crap. It's a good size lath with a 3" spindle hole and a 10" swing. All we used to move it was a forklift, but we secured it to the forks before we did anything. We lowered it on a trailer and chained it down for the trip home and then the forklift that I hired took it off and set it in my shop. From start to finish was 2 hours and no damage. Great info. and thanks for sharing. All the best and take care.
Hey Strappper, Good to hear you got your machine home safely. Sounds like an interesting machine. That is quite a large spindle bore for the swing size. If you have a minute shoot me a couple of pictures of the machine. Cheers, Tom
I don't know were I came up with a 3" spindle and a 10" swing. It is actually a 2" spindle hole and a 20" swing. It came with a 12" 4 jaw chuck, a steady rest, 2 dead centers, a drill chuck, 1 left hand tool rest , several cut-off tool holders with no blades, a boring bar holder with a few boring bars and a few other tools.
Hi Rob, Thanks for the comment. I could go on and on with this one. The idea was for a buddy that was going to look over a lathe. He ended up buying the machine and managed to move it safely. Mission accomplished. Glad other folks find the information useful. Regards, Tom
Hi Straight Thread, You are quite correct on the accurate leveling of lathes. In particular the longer the lathe the more difficult and critical that it be leveled properly. Leveling a lathe and testing the accuracy are entire subjects on their own. The goal of this video was to look at a machine and hopefully make more informed decisions and get it home. Once its home all the real fun begins. Regards, Tom
One thing that I use to check when buying a new machine is to look for freeplay in the main movable parts. Just grab things with your hands and put a little muscle to check for freeplay or rocking movement. In a lathe, the main parts I would like to check are the spindle, the carriage/apron, the crosslide, the tailstock quill when is all out. Nice video Tom. (I know it's 3 years old, but the post-bash week let us with almost none new content hahahaha) Cheers!
Tom, Thanks for the instruction. Hopefully it will come in handy sooner rather than later. I passed on a well tooled Clausing a couple weeks ago at an auction and have been regretting it ever since. Take care. -Dale
Hi Owen, Thanks for the comment. Any new machines I build have a provision for a pallet jack incorporated into the design. One idea I have thought of is a pallet jack model optimized for moving machinery. There are a couple of features that would make the basic design even more useful. Best, Tom
Hi W, I would only do something with it if there are any raised portions that interfere. Its okay to carefully stone any raised burrs off by hand. Never use any power tools for doing this. Lathes are pretty tough. Unless you see something in your work output that leads you to believe there is some damage don't go looking for problems that may not be there. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comment. Best, Tom
Described very clear, i operate small lath in my home shop, it make me to recall back what i had observed and practised in technical school 25 yrs ago. Just a comment, need to add actual machine cutting during the evaluation.
Watched most of the video before moving my lathe and the rest after. I found all the things you listed to be true. Especially the blocks part. I just bring a couple 2x4 and 4x4s and a skillsaw for that part. I brought some thing I thought I wouldn't need but I ended up using every tool I brought. I recommend using pipes to move machines too. They work well if you know how to use them. Small lathes are a couple hour affair to move and lathes that larger and heavier can take a day or so to move as I found out. The lathe in which I moved is my American pacemaker 14x54. Fun thing is I have to move it again in a week or so same with my 4 other lathes which are 1/5 the weigh at most. Sorry for the choppy paragraph. Thanks Carter
Carter H Hi Carter, Glad you liked the video and got your lathe moved. A Pacemaker is a really nice machine and heavy. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Thanks, Tom! Considering getting a lathe & mill, used if I can find them. We live in rural CO, so availability is an issue. So is moving the machine(s). Again, thanks. Doc Custer
Hi No Name, You are right. I could go on and on with this series and get into the nitty gritty. Detailed electrical discussion was outside the scope for this video. The real purpose of the video was to help a friend that was going to look at a lathe the very next day. He needed some guidance to help him while he was onsite looking at the machine. The back story is I found the machine for him and vetted it as best I could at long distance. He had to do the dirty work in the field. Tom
Nice video. So many things i wouldn't have thought off myself. I'm about to buy a smal benchtop lathe. Start small because I don't have room for a big lathe. Thanks for all the info. Subcribed!
Good video! My students often ask me what to look for when buying their first lathe. When moving a machine you can not over prepare. I have even used a pair of car skates and a hydraulic floor jack to move a machine.
Hi Mike, Thanks for the comment and participation. Preparing to move a machine is a bit like planning a small war. You need a good plan and some good equipment to win. All the best, Tom
Hi Mark, When you make yours make sure the bushing the all thread passes through is the same width as the angle. Mine are just large nuts welded to the angles. They would be better if the bushing was longer and a smooth bore to fit the allthread. Thanks for the comment. Best, Tom
That's perfect, Tom, thank you. There's a JLG dealer/rental a little up North of here so that's what I will use when I find something worth hauling in. JR, Miami, FL
Thanks Tom for a great video. A couple of points not mentioned though, but which should be considered are that machines are often top heavy, and need to be shifted with that in mind. Lift them evenly and tie them down with opposing restraints, so they don't slip through the ropes/slings/chains. Also be sure to protect the machine ways or other precision parts like lead screws from being bent or scraped by lifting tackle. Your reply to H'hog that tool makers have rigging guides is good advice. RT
Hi, great video, thanks for taking the time to share it. Great advice. I got a lathe thrown in with a mill in a deal when I was out looking for the mill. So didn't really pay too much attention to what I was getting. This lathe has a few problems including some numbnuts who painted over the information cards (threading etc.) in ugly green. But by far the biggest is that the axle that holds the chuck is not level with the table, so every thing it hold spins off center. It is not a visually apparent deflection when looking at it but it is more than enough to make even doing very rough work impossible. My suggestion is that people bring a gauge along and measure if things are spinning true. Also they should check if the chuck coming with the machine is opening and closing smoothly, the three jaw that came with mine has two of the gears missing half their teeth. It somehow is still able to work with a bit of perseverance though. Cheers, -James
Hi James, Good points you make. I should probably do a follow on video to this one and go into more detail about checking things closely. Thanks for the nice comment. Best, Tom
Very good video. I was curious to see a broader look at your lathe. It's an interesting model and seems to function nicely. Too, I had wondered about the Travadial that you mentioned in passing in a couple of your videos. One thing that might be good to mention is leveling of the lathe when it is installed in the place where it will be used. Aligning the bed using a precision level will insure that the lathe will produce accurate results, of course.
We've moved lots of heavy equipment rolling it across short sections of iron pipe. Pry bars come in handy too as well as the well placed comealong. You want to go loaded for bear with everything you could possibly need.
Hi Clockguy, I couldn't agree more. If you even think you might need it throw it in the truck. Even down to your own tape and band aides. Never trust the other guy to have everything you need. Cheers, Tom
Hi Bill, Yes they are welded to the angle. I turned them from larger stock because the bearings were metric diameter. I left the part that sits against the angle large so I had a good diameter to weld around. Material was 8620 just because I had it. Regards, Tom
Hi Gnosis, No better way to learn this stuff than to see how its put together. My thinking is, better to have some kind of lathe than not have one at all. If you have one and learn its limitations all it means is you have an excuse to buy more tools. Nothing wrong with that. I learned on a clapped out 1915 Prentice and I was glad to have it. Hope that helps. Good question. Regards, Tom
Hi Edge, The shop is in an old military warehouse building in the San Francisco Bay Area. The walls and ceiling are concrete a foot thick. We have an attached apartment that we live in. No phase converters needed. Best, Tom
Thanks Tom. I am really enjoying this tour of the lathe. I note the make is YAM. Can you give some general comment on the differences in manufacturers. Many thanks.
Thank You. Good video and some good information. Now, if I could just find someone with a used lathe they want to sell in my neck of the woods. They are very very rare here and most want virtually new prices for them or they are beaters fit for scrap.
I think its an excellent design. Light, yet strong, and they very nicely lower the centre of gravity of the load compared to other methods. When I come across some big enough suitable wheels, if I may borrow your design, I will scale your design up and make a set for moving 20' shipping containers.
Sound advice! Good Millwrighting and rigging suggestions. Kept it clean, concise and on point. I wish everyone's advice was a good as yours! Thanks! :-) I would like to hear your suggestions for install and set up.
When I bought my first Lathe one of the tools I took was a telescopic magnet. I gained access to the gearbox and trolled the bottom , no chips and no sludge either. The Coolant pump growled a bit but once I refilled the Coolant with a water soluble or miscible oil it ran almost silently I made a set of blocks that I can sit each of my chucks on and simply slide them into the cam holes (beats holding the sucker up and possibly dropping it on the bedways.
Hey Mozzman, Good idea on the gearbox. Some lathes are really hard to get at the gearbox without taking the top cover off. Not something I would do unless I was really serious and had concerns. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Hi Mictho, Thanks for the comment. Did you buy a used machine? If so what would you have done differently if you had this information before you bought your machine? Regards, Tom
Hi J, Height is the enemy when moving heavy stuff. Take a look at your local rental yards for a hydraulic drop deck trailers. Cheap to rent and you can roll a lathe on a pallet jack right onto one. JLG makes one if you want to look it up on the web. Second choice for the average guy is a car trailer. Ramps can be tricky with the car trailer. Third choice would be a tilt deck car carrier. Watch out for untrained operators on that option. Machines are way different than cars. Best, Tom
Hey, Great video. I've been watching all this stuff and finally realized you did the "metalworking Sink or Swim" book. I mention the complete title because it's a great book and others might want to check it out. Anyway - I have to move a 5000 lb lathe up a single 7 inch step in concrete (making good on a 1.5 year promise "honey, you'll be able to park the car inside again as soon as I move this thing back yonder..." ) and this really looks like the hot ticket (for the move it to the step part.) The sink or swim book shows the "skate board" dollies but the swivel part eludes me completely as I get scared about loading and all, so here's another vote for more detail on that. On the bigwheel things is the axle pressed up to a shoulder into the angle and then welded on the wheel side only? And if it's easy I'd really like to know what size angle that is. Anyway, looking forward to next book and thanks for putting all this stuff out.
Hi Jeff, There are a couple of people asking about more detail on the lathe dollies. I'll try to squeeze something into a meatloaf that shows some closeups. Stay tuned. Thanks for the comment and support. All the best, Tom
Hi Having done some heavy moving I have to say " have a friend with you " if only to pick up a phone and call for help. It is very easy to get your self trapped and not be able to get free. No heavy equipment mover will work alone.
Tom I'd love to see a good video that covers these issues for a Bridgeport style knee mill Not so much on moving it, I thing that's a whole other issue and whole other video; but I would love a good comprehensive list on evaluating it. What measurements do you do, what tolerences do you use or call acceptable ? What accessories do you consider necessary like dro, auto feed and do you just add those later yourself, or do you look for packages. Would you buy a used mill, or go new ? What brands are reputable? I've got a smaller 6x26 import and it's a take apart and fix it diy kit rather than a usable mill. It's taking considerable time and $ to "un-Chinese" it I imagine Grizzly sells a boat load of them, but I'm not sure whether to trust them or not. On the other extreme, real branded new Bridgeport/Hardenge are 3x the price. I'd love to get the cost savings on a used mill, but I don't want to pay a gold price for somebody else's worn out stuff.
Hi Names, That's a mighty comment from nonamesleft. I think the sum total of words here exceeds all your other posts combined. You know I'm yanking your chain a little right? Excellent Idea for a video. The lathe one I did for a friend has turned out to be a really popular video. Its probably time I did one for milling machines. It would be in a similar spirit to the first lathe video with maybe more on specific things to look for. Now I need to find some beat up machines that the caretakers will let me shoot some video on. I might have some ideas on that one. Anyway thanks for prodding me a little on this subject. Also it would be cool to know your first name since you have been a steady viewer since the beginning. If you really don't want to I understand, but I might start making my own names up. All the best, Tom
I watched this video last year but forgot the three point wheels. Mr Bozo dropped the lathe after one set of wheels stayed behind and I turned the corner. These machines are tough. I only broke one handle ond no bones. Thank you for the info.
Bill Mader Hi Bill, Glad to hear you are okay. These things are big, heavy and pretty unforgiving. Four wheels works only when you have extra help with spotters on all sides. Thanks for sharing your story. Best, Tom
Hi Mictho, Sounds like you had the machinery gods smiling on you. All the things you describe are fixable. This is a good way to get into machinery is by doing some minor repairs on one. You have some guts buying a machine at long distance. I always need to lay hands on anything I'm considering. Regards, Tom
Hi Hal,
Thanks for the nice comment. There is more to the story. My friend on the east coast went and looked at the lathe we found. He went over it himself with a fine tooth comb. The seller thought he was a professional machinist the way he went over the lathe. That's the kind of story that makes me proud and keeps me doing this stuff.
A little secret, that table is cold. I need the carpet to keep my elbows from freezing.
Kind regards,
Tom
well it's a lathe czcams.com/users/postUgkxN9zrzkkhnjUF5PQbuA_B1gYdsfCu9k6z but it wasn't what i would have anticipated. Headstock, tailstock, carriage apron are manufactured from aluminum now not cast iron. The spindle diameter for the bearings is too small allowing for a few play in the spindle so I am using some blue Loctite to take out the play.
Just wanted to say thanks for the video--very informative, even for those of us who don't know much about lathes. 5 years on and this video is still doing good works.
Hi Tom,
As always, great advice. You asked for suggestions... As a total novice who has moved a couple heavy machines so far: One is if the seller will let you look inside the headstock for chewed up dogs or wear on the main and intermediate shaft (especially on spur gear types) I think novices might not be able to tell just by sound under power.
Secondly, if a buyer has a "United Rentals" or comparable rental yard nearby them, one can rent a tilt deck tandem axle trailer for like $65.00 for the weekend. Pick up Friday and return Monday AM. You usually have to reserve them. Makes it nice if you have a slanted driveway or no forklift that will fit under say, under a residential garage door. I had the pleasure of meeting and buying a few things from you at Chuck B's meet and greet ( before Covid). I appreciate you giving back and sharing your trade knowledge.Thanks for doing what you do!
Lots of super practical info in here, thanks for this video Tom.
Really important to have other people with you to move equipment this massive. Things can get extremely dangerous/costly very fast.
Thank You for the elaborate description on How to Buy a Lathe Machine. Thank You Mr. Tom Lipton, it is really a pleasure watching your videos and being a student of yours I feel enriched reaping knowledge from you. All the very best for your future endeavours. Good Luck.
Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise on how you do different types of operations. I have just found your channel and am really enjoying. Metal working has always been a desire and with the wealth of knowledge you and others have put on You Tube it is close to becoming a reality. Thank you again for sharing,
This was by far the most instructive video I've ever seen.
Thank you so much!
I'm about to buy a colchester triumph 2000 (1,2t). After seeing this, I asked for a second appointment to check the machine again. The part about moving it was very helpful too. I had a general idea how to do it, but always asked myself how to lift the machine to get a forklift or something below it.
Thank you very much. Keep this quality up please.
Thanks Michael
This is one of the most helpful CZcams videos I've ever seen. Great job and ALL of it is useful. Thank you very much, Tom.
+Joe Hurly Hi Joe,
Thanks for the nice comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Flip,
Good point on the electrical. You are also correct that during the inspection you are surveying all aspects of the machine. By testing all the features and actions of the machine these bent, broken sloppy and worn things make themselves apparent. Using indicators and actually measuring wear are really outside the scope of a short video like this. It really depends on what you want in a machine and comfort level for the various problems you might uncover.
Best,
Tom
Thanks for making this video. I can't personally look at either of the two lathes i have to choose from, but i picked up on a few additional questions to ask. Much appreciated
This is perhaps the BEST lathe buying / assessing guide I have been able to find on the internet. Thank you! Really enjoying your channel.
Hi Aspen,
Thanks for the nice comment. I'm glad you like the show.
Cheers,
Tom
Tom I really wanted to thank you for doing this, I too will be looking for a lathe in my future but was not sure how to check it. Thanks for taking the time to teach your trade to all of us, I know this is a pain in the butt to video all the time however I find them well done and informative, I particularly like the fireside chat when you sit at your workbench with your arms folded over the carpet mat and share, you are a vanishing breed my friend thanks again for your efforts. Hal
Just wanted to say thank you for all your videos and all the help you've given.
Thanks so much for this video. I am going to look at a used Clausing 1500 lathe tomorrow and created a checklist for my evaluation so I can inspect the machine just as you did in the video. I now feel really well equipped to do a good evaluation and feel that I won't forget anything that I might have otherwise overlooked. Thanks for all the great knowledge you share. I truly appreciate it and look forward to each new video you post. Thanks again!
Hi Guy,
Good luck on your lathe hunt. Take your time and look at everything. Let us know how it works out. Be sure to take lots of pictures while your there. Helps when you are mulling over it.
cheers
Tom
Hi Lastman,
I think everybody should have that South Bend How to run a lathe book. It answers so many questions for lathe users. The material is still relevant nearly a hundred years later. There are also some South Bend Lathe training movies somewhere on YT. I bumped into one a while back. You will be glad you got it.
Regards,
Tom
As an aspiring/hack machinist I just want to say thank you for this video. It was very informative as I seem to find myself in the market for a lathe. Keep up the great work. -Kyle
Hi Again Tom,
Just wanted to add that I loved your home brewed skates, much better than heavy walled pipe that is most often used, and also agree that a pallet lift is a valuable asset in any machine shop. Cheers and best wishes,
Rob.
My friends thought I was seriously strange when I purchased a pallet jack for my home workshop. But I look at the world very differently now with the ability to move up to 2500Kg's with ease and safety. Now everything I own that is heavy, stationary & not inside the house must obey "@ least 3 inches of clearance" rule. :-)
I brought my lathe new because as a newbie I never had the opportunity to be demo'd what to look for in a 2nd hand one. The world is better for your sharing, good video sir.
Very enjoyable, thank you. People like yourselves are somewhat rare, not because you obviously know what you are talking about, but you can put it across to the viewer in an easy going and informative way. Keep up the good work, kind regards, Roger Williams , UK.
Nice in depth video. Considering a search for a small lathe, this info will come in handy. Used to run a Le Blonde Regal in a prototype shop, nicest lathe I ever ran.
Having moved a few machines, some of the things we've used are:
-Hilman Rollers, these are a chain type roller and will work over slightly uneven surfaces and some crap on the floor, these can be rented from most Tool rental places.
-4x6 or 6x6 timbers to make 'skis' under lathes, this allows you to move it Egyptian style on pipe
-Railroad jacks to pick up a machine to get blocks/timbers under it
-Automotive floor jacks if the machine has enough clearance to use one to get rollers or pipe under it
We've used a winch to drag the machine up on the trailer, this is also where the 'skis' really help:
- If you cut a 'lead' onto the ski, it will ride over imperfections in the trailer deck (works well on my diamond plate trailer deck, wood trailer decks may generate too much friction for the ski's to slide well)
- The ski's will also help 'tie' the legs together, which will prevent damage if one of the feet were to get snagged on something
While I don't necessarily recommend it, we've used a floor drain in the basement/garage floor as a pulling point, stuck a piece of pipe in it (pipe must fit tight into the drain to transfer the force to the concrete), chained the winch to it, and used it to unload the trailer. We've also used 'lever' style chain binders in lieu of a winch, you can usually get a couple links of chain per pull, and use a pipe on the handle to keep from wearing yourself out.
If you use a winch, use a snatch-block to slow the pull down (and give yourself more mechanical advantage with the winch).
If you're moving the machine down hill (or up hill), make sure you have some blocks or chains to throw in front of the wheels to control the progression of the machine down the hill, or (regression if going up hill).
Hey Ice,
All good information. The key is to have enough stuff that you don't take shortcuts and have a problem. Thanks for the comment and participation.
Cheers,
Tom
great video, as someone getting into metalworking but not having any previous experience, it can be really intimidating to go look at machines. being the most expensive thing ive ever bought other than my house, and the heaviest thing ive bought that dosent move itself, the whole process is intimidating and videos like this really help.
as others have said, id also be verry intrested in a bridgeport video and mabey a surface grinder video.
thanks and keep up the good work
Great information and a thorough discussion of some key principles. Thanks for the tips on moving heavy pieces of equipment.
Hey Ken,
Thanks for the nice comment.
Cheers,
Tom
My old lathe is from the 30-40's, flatbelt driven from a shaft in the ceiling, she came from Cockatoo Island in Sydney harbour and was used by the navy during WW2.
9" throw in the step, and a 4' bed, no quick change gearbox.
The bed step piece is missing, and someone has repaired a gear in the front apron by building it up with weld and remachining the gear, she's old and well worn, long bed, big throw and I love old things. Thanks Tom for sharing your knowledge. Cheers from Australia, Waz.
Hi Tom, many thanks for taking the time to make and upload this video. It's really very helpful for somebody like me, who's coming into (in my case) hobby of machining. Just wish I had seen this vid before buying my lathe! ;) Cheers!
Really really informative video Tom. Thank you for valuable insight and tips! They will help a lot of us avoid a potentially serious equipment and or personal injury!
Great video!
I spent a couple of hours making those angle iron/pallet jack wheel moving brackets last week. They work great. I found that by putting them about 1/3 along from the head stock and by moving the tail stock to get the balance right I could push the lathe along by myself. Thanks for the great advice
Wow! Yours is the ultimate man cave! Wonderful! You are living my and many other's dream. Thanks for sharing.
I just bought an old R McDougall lath that has been laying around for years and not being used. It has taken me three days to just clean up the surface crap. It's a good size lath with a 3" spindle hole and a 10" swing. All we used to move it was a forklift, but we secured it to the forks before we did anything. We lowered it on a trailer and chained it down for the trip home and then the forklift that I hired took it off and set it in my shop. From start to finish was 2 hours and no damage. Great info. and thanks for sharing. All the best and take care.
Hey Strappper,
Good to hear you got your machine home safely. Sounds like an interesting machine. That is quite a large spindle bore for the swing size. If you have a minute shoot me a couple of pictures of the machine.
Cheers,
Tom
I don't know were I came up with a 3" spindle and a 10" swing. It is actually a 2" spindle hole and a 20" swing. It came with a 12" 4 jaw chuck, a steady rest, 2 dead centers, a drill chuck, 1 left hand tool rest , several cut-off tool holders with no blades, a boring bar holder with a few boring bars and a few other tools.
NSTRAPPERHUNTER Well that sounds a little more normal. Sounds like you are getting ready for some fun.
Cheers,
Tom
An excellent video! Will keep this in my favourites for when I (hopefully) have my own lathe.
Hi Richard,
I moved the lathe in the video with those wheels. System worked great. Thanks for the comment.
Best,
Tom
Thanks for sharing your experience in evaluating and moving massive machines. Way better to have a proven starting point than just winging it.
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the comment. I could go on and on with this one. The idea was for a buddy that was going to look over a lathe. He ended up buying the machine and managed to move it safely. Mission accomplished. Glad other folks find the information useful.
Regards,
Tom
Hi Straight Thread,
You are quite correct on the accurate leveling of lathes. In particular the longer the lathe the more difficult and critical that it be leveled properly. Leveling a lathe and testing the accuracy are entire subjects on their own. The goal of this video was to look at a machine and hopefully make more informed decisions and get it home. Once its home all the real fun begins.
Regards,
Tom
Excellent video! I wish I would have had this when I purchased my first lathe. I think you covered all the major points. Well done! Thanks
Nice video, thank you. Some good ideas too. Very nice calm helpful demeanor, thanks for the time to make the video.
One thing that I use to check when buying a new machine is to look for freeplay in the main movable parts. Just grab things with your hands and put a little muscle to check for freeplay or rocking movement. In a lathe, the main parts I would like to check are the spindle, the carriage/apron, the crosslide, the tailstock quill when is all out.
Nice video Tom. (I know it's 3 years old, but the post-bash week let us with almost none new content hahahaha)
Cheers!
Excellent video, Tom! Very timely for me, I'm going to look at a used 16" x 72"lathe this week. Thanks for the good work! Tree Top
+TreeTop1947 Hi Tree Top,
Good luck with your lathe hunting. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Josef,
Thanks for the comment.
Best,
Tom
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the comment and buying a book.
Regards,
Tom
Tom,
Thanks for the instruction. Hopefully it will come in handy sooner rather than later. I passed on a well tooled Clausing a couple weeks ago at an auction and have been regretting it ever since. Take care.
-Dale
Thanks for the comment.
Tom
Hi Owen,
Thanks for the comment. Any new machines I build have a provision for a pallet jack incorporated into the design. One idea I have thought of is a pallet jack model optimized for moving machinery. There are a couple of features that would make the basic design even more useful.
Best,
Tom
Very informative. Can't get much more information than your videos
Great job
Thanks
+Michael Pfleegor Hi Michael,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Great Video. Besides tooling, make sure you get both the metric & SAE gearsets for cutting threads.
Thank you, I have been wanting to see information about this subject.
Great video. Can't hardly wait to use what I have learned. Thank you.
Matt Wilkins Hey Matt,
Shoot us a picture of your new lathe when you get it. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Amazing video! A ton of excellent and useful information!
Hi W,
I would only do something with it if there are any raised portions that interfere. Its okay to carefully stone any raised burrs off by hand. Never use any power tools for doing this. Lathes are pretty tough. Unless you see something in your work output that leads you to believe there is some damage don't go looking for problems that may not be there. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comment.
Best,
Tom
Great video! Thanks for taking the time to make and post it.
+Ted Farwell Hi Ted,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Very great instructions. Thankfully any machine I would buy is a lot less weight.
Appreciate the video - Thanks
Described very clear, i operate small lath in my home shop, it make me to recall back what i had observed and practised in technical school 25 yrs ago. Just a comment, need to add actual machine cutting during the evaluation.
excellent foot brake that definitely saves time
Watched most of the video before moving my lathe and the rest after. I found all the things you listed to be true. Especially the blocks part. I just bring a couple 2x4 and 4x4s and a skillsaw for that part. I brought some thing I thought I wouldn't need but I ended up using every tool I brought. I recommend using pipes to move machines too. They work well if you know how to use them. Small lathes are a couple hour affair to move and lathes that larger and heavier can take a day or so to move as I found out. The lathe in which I moved is my American pacemaker 14x54. Fun thing is I have to move it again in a week or so same with my 4 other lathes which are 1/5 the weigh at most. Sorry for the choppy paragraph. Thanks
Carter
Carter H Hi Carter,
Glad you liked the video and got your lathe moved. A Pacemaker is a really nice machine and heavy. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Great video Tom, much appreciated.
Thanks, Tom! Considering getting a lathe & mill, used if I can find them. We live in rural CO, so availability is an issue. So is moving the machine(s). Again, thanks. Doc Custer
Hi No Name,
You are right. I could go on and on with this series and get into the nitty gritty. Detailed electrical discussion was outside the scope for this video. The real purpose of the video was to help a friend that was going to look at a lathe the very next day. He needed some guidance to help him while he was onsite looking at the machine. The back story is I found the machine for him and vetted it as best I could at long distance. He had to do the dirty work in the field.
Tom
Nice video. So many things i wouldn't have thought off myself. I'm about to buy a smal benchtop lathe. Start small because I don't have room for a big lathe. Thanks for all the info. Subcribed!
Great, fun to watch, helpful video. Thank you !
Good video! My students often ask me what to look for when buying their first lathe. When moving a machine you can not over prepare. I have even used a pair of car skates and a hydraulic floor jack to move a machine.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the comment and participation. Preparing to move a machine is a bit like planning a small war. You need a good plan and some good equipment to win.
All the best,
Tom
Foam pad for the knees...absolutely brilliant. I've been using folded cardboard. My knees thank you!
Hi Mark,
When you make yours make sure the bushing the all thread passes through is the same width as the angle. Mine are just large nuts welded to the angles. They would be better if the bushing was longer and a smooth bore to fit the allthread.
Thanks for the comment.
Best,
Tom
That's perfect, Tom, thank you. There's a JLG dealer/rental a little up North of here so that's what I will use when I find something worth hauling in.
JR, Miami, FL
Thanks Tom for a great video. A couple of points not mentioned though, but which should be considered are that machines are often top heavy, and need to be shifted with that in mind. Lift them evenly and tie them down with opposing restraints, so they don't slip through the ropes/slings/chains. Also be sure to protect the machine ways or other precision parts like lead screws from being bent or scraped by lifting tackle. Your reply to H'hog that tool makers have rigging guides is good advice.
RT
Hi, great video, thanks for taking the time to share it. Great advice. I got a lathe thrown in with a mill in a deal when I was out looking for the mill. So didn't really pay too much attention to what I was getting. This lathe has a few problems including some numbnuts who painted over the information cards (threading etc.) in ugly green. But by far the biggest is that the axle that holds the chuck is not level with the table, so every thing it hold spins off center. It is not a visually apparent deflection when looking at it but it is more than enough to make even doing very rough work impossible. My suggestion is that people bring a gauge along and measure if things are spinning true. Also they should check if the chuck coming with the machine is opening and closing smoothly, the three jaw that came with mine has two of the gears missing half their teeth. It somehow is still able to work with a bit of perseverance though.
Cheers,
-James
Hi James,
Good points you make. I should probably do a follow on video to this one and go into more detail about checking things closely. Thanks for the nice comment.
Best,
Tom
What a fantastic video. Great advice.
Hey Tom, I'm glad I found your channel. I own a copy of your book and have read it at least four times.
Cheers,
Peter
There is a book?
Thank you Tom. That was a great video. So many good points.
Regards,
John
Very good video. I was curious to see a broader look at your lathe. It's an interesting model and seems to function nicely. Too, I had wondered about the Travadial that you mentioned in passing in a couple of your videos.
One thing that might be good to mention is leveling of the lathe when it is installed in the place where it will be used. Aligning the bed using a precision level will insure that the lathe will produce accurate results, of course.
We've moved lots of heavy equipment rolling it across short sections of iron pipe. Pry bars come in handy too as well as the well placed comealong. You want to go loaded for bear with everything you could possibly need.
Hi Clockguy,
I couldn't agree more. If you even think you might need it throw it in the truck. Even down to your own tape and band aides. Never trust the other guy to have everything you need.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Bill,
Yes they are welded to the angle. I turned them from larger stock because the bearings were metric diameter. I left the part that sits against the angle large so I had a good diameter to weld around. Material was 8620 just because I had it.
Regards,
Tom
Hi Tom,
I see a pair of those dollies connected by all thread in my future!
Thanks for the great idea.
Hi Gnosis,
No better way to learn this stuff than to see how its put together. My thinking is, better to have some kind of lathe than not have one at all. If you have one and learn its limitations all it means is you have an excuse to buy more tools. Nothing wrong with that. I learned on a clapped out 1915 Prentice and I was glad to have it. Hope that helps. Good question.
Regards,
Tom
Hi Tom, thanks for the informative video, love your video's. Pieter, South Africa
Hi Pieter,
Thanks for the comment. You are the second guy this week to comment from South Africa.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Edge,
The shop is in an old military warehouse building in the San Francisco Bay Area. The walls and ceiling are concrete a foot thick. We have an attached apartment that we live in. No phase converters needed.
Best,
Tom
Those wheels at 0:55:30 onwards are fantastic . Brilliant idea.
Thanks Tom.
I am really enjoying this tour of the lathe.
I note the make is YAM.
Can you give some general comment on the differences in manufacturers.
Many thanks.
Thank You. Good video and some good information. Now, if I could just find someone with a used lathe they want to sell in my neck of the woods. They are very very rare here and most want virtually new prices for them or they are beaters fit for scrap.
Thanks Tom
I'm also looking for that perfect buy. This will help with my search.
Mike
good advice on the coolant
Thank you very much brother, great job indeed.
Hey Tom,
I would also like your input on what to look out for when purchasing a used Bridgeport mill.
Dave
I think its an excellent design. Light, yet strong, and they very nicely lower the centre of gravity of the load compared to other methods.
When I come across some big enough suitable wheels, if I may borrow your design, I will scale your design up and make a set for moving 20' shipping containers.
Sound advice! Good Millwrighting and rigging suggestions. Kept it clean, concise and on point. I wish everyone's advice was a good as yours! Thanks! :-) I would like to hear your suggestions for install and set up.
I just found your video on the setup and install....I should have known! :)
Hi Barrett,
Thanks for the comment. There are some additional videos on leveling and setup. Dig around in the archives.
Cheers,
Tom
thanks for the info , I can use it for all kind of machinery. goedendag
When I bought my first Lathe one of the tools I took was a telescopic magnet.
I gained access to the gearbox and trolled the bottom , no chips and no sludge either.
The Coolant pump growled a bit but once I refilled the Coolant with a water soluble or miscible oil it ran almost silently
I made a set of blocks that I can sit each of my chucks on and simply slide them into the cam holes (beats holding the sucker up and possibly dropping it on the bedways.
Hey Mozzman,
Good idea on the gearbox. Some lathes are really hard to get at the gearbox without taking the top cover off. Not something I would do unless I was really serious and had concerns. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Excellent Job.. Good Advice.. greats from Indonesia..
Hi Coki,
Thanks for the comment. You are the first viewer from Indonesia to make a comment.
All the best,
Tom
Hi Mictho,
Thanks for the comment. Did you buy a used machine? If so what would you have done differently if you had this information before you bought your machine?
Regards,
Tom
Hi J,
Height is the enemy when moving heavy stuff. Take a look at your local rental yards for a hydraulic drop deck trailers. Cheap to rent and you can roll a lathe on a pallet jack right onto one. JLG makes one if you want to look it up on the web. Second choice for the average guy is a car trailer. Ramps can be tricky with the car trailer. Third choice would be a tilt deck car carrier. Watch out for untrained operators on that option. Machines are way different than cars.
Best,
Tom
Thank you very much for this great video!
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
good info, thanks for the video.
New to your channel, Awesome vid!
Hey, Great video. I've been watching all this stuff and finally realized you did
the "metalworking Sink or Swim" book. I mention the complete
title because it's a great book and others might want to check it out.
Anyway - I have to move a 5000 lb lathe up a single 7 inch step in concrete
(making good on a 1.5 year promise "honey, you'll be able to park the car inside again as soon as I move this thing back yonder..." ) and this
really looks like the hot ticket (for the move it to the step part.)
The sink or swim book shows the "skate board" dollies but the swivel
part eludes me completely as I get scared about loading and all, so here's
another vote for more detail on that.
On the bigwheel things is the axle pressed up to a shoulder into the angle and
then welded on the wheel side only? And if it's easy I'd really like to know
what size angle that is.
Anyway, looking forward to next book and thanks for putting all this stuff
out.
Hi Jeff,
There are a couple of people asking about more detail on the lathe dollies. I'll try to squeeze something into a meatloaf that shows some closeups. Stay tuned. Thanks for the comment and support.
All the best,
Tom
Good advice and well done. Thank you
Hi Leonard,
Thanks for the comment and participation.
Brgrds,
Tom
Hi
Having done some heavy moving I have to say " have a friend with you " if only to pick up a phone and call for help.
It is very easy to get your self trapped and not be able to get free.
No heavy equipment mover will work alone.
+Dennis Williams Hi Dennis,
Great advice. This kind of stuff is always easier with some good help. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Many heavy equipment movers work alone
Tom
I'd love to see a good video that covers these issues for a Bridgeport style knee mill
Not so much on moving it, I thing that's a whole other issue and whole other video; but I would love a good comprehensive list on evaluating it.
What measurements do you do, what tolerences do you use or call acceptable ?
What accessories do you consider necessary like dro, auto feed and do you just add those later yourself, or do you look for packages.
Would you buy a used mill, or go new ?
What brands are reputable?
I've got a smaller 6x26 import and it's a take apart and fix it diy kit rather than a usable mill. It's taking considerable time and $ to "un-Chinese" it
I imagine Grizzly sells a boat load of them, but I'm not sure whether to trust them or not. On the other extreme, real branded new Bridgeport/Hardenge are 3x the price.
I'd love to get the cost savings on a used mill, but I don't want to pay a gold price for somebody else's worn out stuff.
Hi Names,
That's a mighty comment from nonamesleft. I think the sum total of words here exceeds all your other posts combined. You know I'm yanking your chain a little right?
Excellent Idea for a video. The lathe one I did for a friend has turned out to be a really popular video. Its probably time I did one for milling machines. It would be in a similar spirit to the first lathe video with maybe more on specific things to look for. Now I need to find some beat up machines that the caretakers will let me shoot some video on. I might have some ideas on that one.
Anyway thanks for prodding me a little on this subject. Also it would be cool to know your first name since you have been a steady viewer since the beginning. If you really don't want to I understand, but I might start making my own names up.
All the best,
Tom
Thank you. God bless.
I watched this video last year but forgot the three point wheels. Mr Bozo dropped the lathe after one set of wheels stayed behind and I turned the corner. These machines are tough. I only broke one handle ond no bones. Thank you for the info.
Bill Mader Hi Bill,
Glad to hear you are okay. These things are big, heavy and pretty unforgiving. Four wheels works only when you have extra help with spotters on all sides. Thanks for sharing your story.
Best,
Tom
Hi Mictho,
Sounds like you had the machinery gods smiling on you. All the things you describe are fixable. This is a good way to get into machinery is by doing some minor repairs on one. You have some guts buying a machine at long distance. I always need to lay hands on anything I'm considering.
Regards,
Tom