I currently have a Deluxe Cuesmith lathe and I am having some problems. When I am doing tip repairs, the tip is not coming out perfectly rounded. That is when I am shaping it. After running it a few times and geting the shape I want when it's running, when I stop the lathe and look at the tip, it looks almost lop sided. Check the collet, I have reset the cue in chuck and still running into problems. I am afraid something major is wrong. Never had this problem before. Thanks for any help.
I have a problem
- Thread starter tlayne
- Start date
dave sutton
Banned
Call me maybe i can help609 442 5811
dave sutton
Banned
I THINK ITS A TECHNIQUE PROB.
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND WET THE LEATHER CUTS EASIER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9LOyy729ik
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND WET THE LEATHER CUTS EASIER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9LOyy729ik
dave sutton
Banned
Yes it is and yes he is and yes he is...
It sounds like the shaft is not centered in the chuck. If you have a dial guage you should be able to verify whether this is true or not.
And to add to that, make sure the back side is well-centered as well. It may run round at the chuck side, but the back side has to be centered as well, so the centerline of the shaft is on the centerline of the lathe.
dave sutton
Banned
i know exactly what he was doing wrong. he is using his hands and a utility blade to shape abd not a tool post for stability
wet and sharpe is the key.....
after our phone call i thinks hes straightened out. just gotta get comfortable doing it
here is another video. i dont user this cutter bc its easier to just grab another utility blade but sabe basic concept trim and shape wise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1sx48J_N3A
wet and sharpe is the key.....
after our phone call i thinks hes straightened out. just gotta get comfortable doing it
here is another video. i dont user this cutter bc its easier to just grab another utility blade but sabe basic concept trim and shape wise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1sx48J_N3A
Last edited:
Cuesmith
Make sure that the center line of the headstock is exactly parallel to
the center of the bed ways. Chuck up a known straight round piece (I use a 24" by 1 1/4" piece of CNC rail from McMaster) in both chucks and sweep with a dial indicator mounted in your cross slide carriage. Check at least 12" out from the chuck. Shim the chuck to get zero run-out. Until this procedure is accomplished there is not much point in trying to determine run-out or taper issues. Since the Hightower headstock is made from aluminum it will move and I recommend checking the alignment periodically. I check mine every month along with a check on all my lathes
for alignment of tail stock, center rest, etc. Unlike other lathes the Hightower headstock can be re-aligned.
Make sure that the center line of the headstock is exactly parallel to
the center of the bed ways. Chuck up a known straight round piece (I use a 24" by 1 1/4" piece of CNC rail from McMaster) in both chucks and sweep with a dial indicator mounted in your cross slide carriage. Check at least 12" out from the chuck. Shim the chuck to get zero run-out. Until this procedure is accomplished there is not much point in trying to determine run-out or taper issues. Since the Hightower headstock is made from aluminum it will move and I recommend checking the alignment periodically. I check mine every month along with a check on all my lathes
for alignment of tail stock, center rest, etc. Unlike other lathes the Hightower headstock can be re-aligned.
Here is another video that may help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAcuVlGK0Jo&feature=related
Thanks a lot Dave, your faster than a 911 call. And i am a dumb a$$. I just put on a new tip and used the advice you gave and all is good. I feel pretty stupid but I dont remember it doing it before. I just need to slow down and take my time. I appreciate everyones feedback and prompt replies. Sorry if I wasted anyones time.
Tony Layne
This leads me to this question..
What is the easiest way to make sure the lathe is perfectly centered?
Thank you
What is the easiest way to make sure the lathe is perfectly centered?
Thank you
dave sutton
Banned
your lathe doesnt need centered. Only if u mave the tailstock all you can do is take a lite very lite pass on the inside of your chuck withyour boraing bar. That will true everything up. The way chris explained it to me is upen the jaws almost all the way leave then a hair closed both pry them open turn the maching on and the jaws will open themselves. Then take lite passes. I do it every month or two.
Glad i can help. Funny i knew what u were doing before u even told me.. We have all been there. As u learn right pass along to others that need help...
lathe alignment
Hmmm. Just wondering how you true the back chuck to the front one. Also,
how do you true the center rest to the headstock. It seems that after 40 years in a machine shop I must have missed something. Please enlighten me.
DISCLAIMER: THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. I COULD BE WRONG...
Hmmm. Just wondering how you true the back chuck to the front one. Also,
how do you true the center rest to the headstock. It seems that after 40 years in a machine shop I must have missed something. Please enlighten me.
That's easy Bob. Machnes cost money and they must be right. I mean, they are machines afterall.
However,one of the hardest things to correct on a lathe is when the tailstock is below the center line of the lathe and when the tailstock is not parrel to the run or centerline of the headstock.Ie the center either rises or lowers when extended out or retracts.
Machines that have these functions correct, are very expensive.
But in cuemaking the normal tolerence of most lathes is accurate enough. However when using gundrills and other specialised operations , are much easier to get correct when the tailstock run is true to spindle axis.
Neil
However,one of the hardest things to correct on a lathe is when the tailstock is below the center line of the lathe and when the tailstock is not parrel to the run or centerline of the headstock.Ie the center either rises or lowers when extended out or retracts.
Machines that have these functions correct, are very expensive.
But in cuemaking the normal tolerence of most lathes is accurate enough. However when using gundrills and other specialised operations , are much easier to get correct when the tailstock run is true to spindle axis.
Neil