Dent in lathe bed, is this anything to worry about ?

Newton

Newton

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have worked all day degreasing the machine today, and under the
"peanutbutter"/paper combo I found this small nick on top of one of the lathes
beds guides. You could for sure feel it with you're finger and it's on the V side
which is guiding the cross slide.

Needless to say, the bed is brand new and my question is this something
to worry about? Would it hurt some of the guides inside the cross slide?
I have not dismounted the cross slide so see how this is resting on the
bed-way, but if any one has expertise in this it would be very nice to hear
you're thoughts.

EDIT: Note that the "channel" between the bed way for the tailstock and the
V-bed seems to have some rust. I tried to remove as much as possible and then
oil it..
Regards

Kent
 

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Last edited:
I think this might work.

I have ask that question to my local mechinest. He said is find as long as the rail is falt, not going to damage anything. I am a car mechanic. Some time you can see those pit holes on the engine block or cyl. head when we are doing a head gasket. We used JB WELD to fill those holes and wet stone it.:)
 
FLYINGSNAIL said:
I have ask that question to my local mechinest. He said is find as long as the rail is falt, not going to damage anything. I am a car mechanic. Some time you can see those pit holes on the engine block or cyl. head when we are doing a head gasket. We used JB WELD to fill those holes and wet stone it.:)
Click to expand...

Thanks.
As mentioned, I'm not sure if the cross slide rests on top of the V or on the
sides. So I was afraid that something might get worn out quicker then usual.
The manual states that for instance you should make a large wood block when
changing chuck so you don't drop it on the precision grounded bed.

When I think about it, the lathe has a exploded view diagram which might
show how the cross slide is resting on the bed :-)

I would try to clean up the "dent" and have a look how deep it is. Using any
sand paper to very slightly take of any edges, is this a no go ?

Sorry for my lack of English understanding but I'm not sure what "Falt" means?

Thanks

Kent
 
Looks to me like an imperfection in the casting. As long as nothing is sticking up higher than the way itself you can just fill it with the JB weld or similar as suggested. Use an oil stone to get the top back flush. Sandpaper is a waste of time. Chalk it up to poor standards of quality control.
 
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BarenbruggeCues said:
Looks to me like an imperfection in the casting. As long as nothing is sticking up higher than the way itself you can just fill it with the JB weld or similar as suggested. Use an oil stone to get the top back flush. Sandpaper is a waste of time. Chalk it up to poor standards of quality control.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip.
Would check the depth tomorrow. Quality control has for sure not been present
on this product, either that or something has been dropped on the bed (even if
it's precision ground and yadi yadi yadi saying in the catalog). Anyway, it's
there and I'll try to make the best of it.

Kent
 
Newton said:
Thanks.
As mentioned, I'm not sure if the cross slide rests on top of the V or on the
sides. So I was afraid that something might get worn out quicker then usual.
The manual states that for instance you should make a large wood block when
changing chuck so you don't drop it on the precision grounded bed.

When I think about it, the lathe has a exploded view diagram which might
show how the cross slide is resting on the bed :-)

I would try to clean up the "dent" and have a look how deep it is. Using any
sand paper to very slightly take of any edges, is this a no go ?

Sorry for my lack of English understanding but I'm not sure what "Falt" means?

Thanks

Kent
Click to expand...

Why not just send it back and demand a new lathe?

BTW - what is the brand, and who is your dealer?

Dale<wanting to know who to avoid like the plauge>
 
pdcue said:
Why not just send it back and demand a new lathe?

BTW - what is the brand, and who is your dealer?

Dale<wanting to know who to avoid like the plauge>
Click to expand...

Dale,

I imported the lathe my self directly from the factory in China, saving me some $ :-)
So this is something I was willing to risk and I'm not lying awake at night because
of this. More pic's of it in this thread http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=96970&page=3

K
 
BarenbruggeCues said:
Looks to me like an imperfection in the casting. As long as nothing is sticking up higher than the way itself you can just fill it with the JB weld or similar as suggested. Use an oil stone to get the top back flush. Sandpaper is a waste of time. Chalk it up to poor standards of quality control.
Click to expand...


I agree 100%. J/B weld will work great on this small imperfection.

Good Cuemaking,
 
Arnot Wadsworth said:
I agree 100%. J/B weld will work great on this small imperfection.

Good Cuemaking,
Click to expand...

Thanks Arnot,

Now I'm sure I would sleep well :) Was sweating a little bit when I saw this...
Would let the factory know about it and hear what they have to say.
Hopefully ready to put the plug in the wall then tomorrow for the final check.

Headstock was delivered with very little oil so I need to fill some 10W motor oil on it for now until I get the proper stuff.

K
 
Newton said:
Thanks Arnot,

Now I'm sure I would sleep well :) Was sweating a little bit when I saw this...
Would let the factory know about it and hear what they have to say.
Hopefully ready to put the plug in the wall then tomorrow for the final check.

Headstock was delivered with very little oil so I need to fill some 10W motor oil on it for now until I get the proper stuff.

K
Click to expand...


You didn't ask, so pardon the voluntary help. I bought oil from enco...

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=325-5922



Kelly
 
Newton said:
Sorry for my lack of English understanding but I'm not sure what "Falt" means?

Thanks

Kent
Click to expand...

I don't have much to add, but to help here, I think he just made a typo. I believe that he meant "flat". As in just take a straight edge and slide it over the hole and make sure it is just a hole, no raised edges around the hole that would throw off the accuracy, or harm any of the pieces that might ride over the rail.
 
Paul Dayton said:
The pitting on your lathe is 10% meaningless. The carraige rides on the ground sides not the top.
Click to expand...

paul just a quick question. if the carrige doesnt ride on top rails then how do some lathes get noticeable wear right at the front of the chuck for use? the reason i ask is bc i always looking for machines and ive passed on one specifically due to this wear.

not disagreeing just trying to learn. always looking for old machines at a steal
 
dave sutton said:
paul just a quick question. if the carrige doesnt ride on top rails then how do some lathes get noticeable wear right at the front of the chuck for use? the reason i ask is bc i always looking for machines and ive passed on one specifically due to this wear.

not disagreeing just trying to learn. always looking for old machines at a steal
Click to expand...

Dave,

I did have a look at my machines exploded view last night (it's morning here now)
and it seems like the V shaped part is - as mentioned by Paul, not riding on
top of the V, just the sides. This is however just on the rail side which is closest
to you when you are in front of the lathe.

However the other side of the Apron/Carriage is flat and resting on the flat
side of the rails. I could imagine that you would see some tear and wear on
the flat part after a certain usage. On the V side I would expect to see
something on the V sides...

This is not based on my hugh know how about lathes - only studying the
exploded view and resonate from there. I also noticed this part when took
apart that tip tool lathe I bought (mini lathe).

Kent
 
Dave, The carriage rides on the sides of the raised bed rail and on the flat of the other rail. The tailstock rides on the adjacent rail surfaces.

Bed wear comes from a combination of poor lubrication and surface contaminants. A lot of lathes come with felt wipers attached to the carriage and tailstock that clean the bed in front of where the contact will take place. The most common reason for a lathe to wear out is bed wear near the headstock which occurs because that is where most (90%+) of the work is done. Face plate work, collet work, and other applications where the shavings and dust really accumulate and where the carriage is most often moved.

Depending on where you are located it is apparently possible to have a bed reground, which if you got a really good deal on a good lathe with a worn bed , might be a good idea.

The dent in the original post is a casting flaw and it does nothing.
 
Just a update on this topic;
I received a nice email from my POC in the factory which was worded like this:
"We are so sorry to hear about that, the related person will be punished. And we decide to refund you USD300.00 as compensation."

I'm not sure how they punish down in China, but hopefully he's not whipped or
something......

I'm happy with the solution :)

Kent
 
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