Lathe question?
- Thread starter skipthorp
- Start date
Basically bore size cannot be changed, you need a lathe with a large enough bore to do the work you intent to use the lathe for.
There are several differences between a metal lathe and a wood lathe, the most important is that wood lathes do not have tool holders with geared movement. The tool in a wood lathe is held over a rest by hand. Tool holders on a metal lathe are bolted in place and have hand cranks to move in/out and left/right.
A cue lathe is simply a lathe adapted to the needs of cue making. It would still be considered a metal lathe although most small custom cue lathes are very light compared to most fabricating metal lathes.
Bob Danielson
www.bdcuesandcomix.com
There are several differences between a metal lathe and a wood lathe, the most important is that wood lathes do not have tool holders with geared movement. The tool in a wood lathe is held over a rest by hand. Tool holders on a metal lathe are bolted in place and have hand cranks to move in/out and left/right.
A cue lathe is simply a lathe adapted to the needs of cue making. It would still be considered a metal lathe although most small custom cue lathes are very light compared to most fabricating metal lathes.
Bob Danielson
www.bdcuesandcomix.com
Good post Bob.
I would like to address the question about whether the bore size is a big deal. The bore size is not as important as it is convenient. A large bore makes things easier on a cue lathe or metal lathe. But with a steady rest with a bearing in it with various size collets, it is possible to do the same work the big bore allows you to do. I did cue work for 7 years without a larger bore than 3/4" on any of my lathes. I did all joint and butt work between centers with the above mentioned steady rest.
Very helpful!
Thank you gentlemen! The information has been very helpful. I was looking to get a wood lathe to turn square wood into round wood and then another lathe just for working on the round wood and producing cues. I guess, is that the way to go? That way you dont stress out the motor of the cue lathe?
Also, is it possible to use a duplicator to copy the shape of a shaft that you like?
Skip
Thank you gentlemen! The information has been very helpful. I was looking to get a wood lathe to turn square wood into round wood and then another lathe just for working on the round wood and producing cues. I guess, is that the way to go? That way you dont stress out the motor of the cue lathe?
Also, is it possible to use a duplicator to copy the shape of a shaft that you like?
Skip
Making dowels with a wood lathe?
The best way is to use a decent cue lathe, or metal lathe. On those you use a router spinning a cutting tool at 20-40K, it is called "live tooling". This router cuts the wood fast and clean when making dowels. I had tried using my wood lathe to do the task and learned it was not worth the effort. And some highly figured pieces of wood do not cut nearly clean enough with a wood lathe. Yeah, you can take your time and cut it,but time is valuable, and a cue lathe does the job it is intended for. Just use the right tool for the job and you will be on the right track.
I do have a wood lathe, and use it for sanding shafts and butts, and for cleaning shafts. It gets used to clean every shaft I bring in, I would not want sanding grit getting on the bed of my cue lathes, or metal lathes, so like I said the right tool for the job. But tip/ferrule work on every shaft I work on gets done on either my Cuesmith or Unique cue lathes. I could also use the metal lathe to do that work, and have,but why run a big motor to do little job?
IF I had to choose where to start, no doubt I would get a Cuesmith Deluxe, or Unique cue building lathe. Right out of the box you make money and save time with those two tools. And you can do it all on them until you can afford the wood lathe, and the metal lathe, or several of each like many of us here have accumulated. Like I said every tool does a specific job really, really well, Good luck!
The best way is to use a decent cue lathe, or metal lathe. On those you use a router spinning a cutting tool at 20-40K, it is called "live tooling". This router cuts the wood fast and clean when making dowels. I had tried using my wood lathe to do the task and learned it was not worth the effort. And some highly figured pieces of wood do not cut nearly clean enough with a wood lathe. Yeah, you can take your time and cut it,but time is valuable, and a cue lathe does the job it is intended for. Just use the right tool for the job and you will be on the right track.
I do have a wood lathe, and use it for sanding shafts and butts, and for cleaning shafts. It gets used to clean every shaft I bring in, I would not want sanding grit getting on the bed of my cue lathes, or metal lathes, so like I said the right tool for the job. But tip/ferrule work on every shaft I work on gets done on either my Cuesmith or Unique cue lathes. I could also use the metal lathe to do that work, and have,but why run a big motor to do little job?
IF I had to choose where to start, no doubt I would get a Cuesmith Deluxe, or Unique cue building lathe. Right out of the box you make money and save time with those two tools. And you can do it all on them until you can afford the wood lathe, and the metal lathe, or several of each like many of us here have accumulated. Like I said every tool does a specific job really, really well, Good luck!
These are all good questions. So good, in fact, they have been asked
and answered many times before on this forum.
Try using the search function.
Based on my impression of where you are and where you would like to be,
I would suggest you:
1. search this forum
2. Google some cuemaker's sites - many of them have explainations
and pictures.
3. Chris Hightower(cueman) sells a book and DVDs that explain enough
about cue making to keep you busy till you run out of money from
buying equipment and materials.
Good luck.
Dale
Thanks!
Sounds like I have my work cut out for me. I was trained on a Porper lathe but was looking into getting my own lathe and set up a mini shop. Basically, make the step from repairing cues to making cues. Just trying to get all of the information that i can get to cut back on my learning curve.
Thanks,
Skip
Sounds like I have my work cut out for me. I was trained on a Porper lathe but was looking into getting my own lathe and set up a mini shop. Basically, make the step from repairing cues to making cues. Just trying to get all of the information that i can get to cut back on my learning curve.
Thanks,
Skip