Topic: wood turning lathe. can it be turned into a metal working....

[Bazzi]

I was offered an old wood turning lathe... I donīt have much info on it, other than it has a few different speeds. I would have to fix it with some chuck and a cross/side transfer or what to call it.....

the question is is it worth the time and money or should I just wait a few years and wait till an old metal working lathe falls into my hands...

ideas?

[brainlessfool]

I have an old Sears wood lathe. and have used others. also have run metal lathes. ( work and school)
my  can't change wood to metal. no way.

[Bazzi [OP]]

I googled it and so on... it has been done. but I have doubts itīs worth it? am hoping I am wrong

[brainlessfool]

what you planning on turning?

[Bazzi [OP]]

do you know the feeling when you are working on something and it would all be soo much simplier if you have something you normally have access to....
.... I donīt know.. making seats for bushings... and stuff like that. I need to make aliment tools for the housing I am gonna make.  those would be made out of plastic, just so it fits in the 3rd member so I can run an axle through the housing to  have it straight.... I bet if I can fit an cross slide to that lathe I can make that... I am just wondering if thatīs all I will use that lathe. if so  itīs not worth the time.

[NorCalToy]

How much will it cost you to get teh wood lathe? if its cheap or free, might as well give it a shot, if it doesnt work,your back to where you are now.

[4RunnerChevy]

No !

[Cheesemaker]

No, it shouldn't be used.  If you look at a wood lathe and then a metal lathe, you will notice that the metal lathe is really heavy and beef!  And then you would have to fabricate the cutting head.  You would be better buying a lathe that was designed for metal.  Get all your buddies to pitch in on a community lathe?  That way you don't only use it a few times a year, and it will pay for it self in short time.  

[abnormaltoy]

I googled it and so on... it has been done. but I have doubts itīs worth it? am hoping I am wrong

Just because something has been done, doesn't mean in was done well.

You can turn almost anything into almost anything else...but, you may also be turning something into a turd (an unsafe turd at that).

Cheese is right the heft and precision of a metal lathe just isn't built into a wood lathe.

Don't do it...but, if you do, take a video so we can see the carnage.

[Bazzi [OP]]

Hey... whereīs the faith

I looked at the lathe today, and basicly itīs a wood lath. hmm I donīt belive I have ever seen one of those before.   basicly I have a land and a motor. I would have to make ewerything else..... it is defenetly a challenge. I guess Iīll just have to wait some more

[Plekto]

Note - though, you could use a metal lathe for stuff like wood in a pinch.  Also tons of other things in a pinch, I wager.  But the opposite?  Um... metal is a *tad* harder than wood last I checked.   Heh.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/3647

Small discussion on the differences.  The big one is that a metal lathe typically has a fixed/mechanically held cutter.  I can't imagine trying to cut metal by hand in a wood lathe without really bad things(tm) happening.  One small mistake and the tool is going to fly - or pieces will chip off - at high speed. 

[IronClad]

oh my goodness someone wants to do somthing out of the box ! shun shun shun!  Try it man if anything you will learn somthing along the way and that is always good.

[Bazzi [OP]]

the main difference between wood and metal lathe is that the wood one doesnīt have a chuck that holds it in place... the wood is only held in place with 1 spike thingy at each end. and you donīt have a cross cutting thingy either. you have some hand tools that you use to feel the wood down....

as I was saying there is a way to much difference to give it a much thought. but  if you think about it if you find yourself with the oppertunity of a free chuck. a free tool/crossfeeder thingy and a free wood turning lathe then you are a huge pruuuuude if you donīt think 2x about that. I have a free wood lathe on my hands, as I was saying after I took a look at the lathe, itīs basicly a motor and a land. itīs probably not worth the drive down there to pick it up 10 minutes....

so  have some coffe and have a good day

[abnormaltoy]

with 1 spike thingy at each end. and you donīt have a cross cutting thingy either.

  I love a good technical explanation to start my day!