What am i doing wrong with my new lathe?

Small lathes, need really sharp tools, and light cuts compared to an industrial engineers lathes.
I can't see the style and type of tools you are using or the geometry of what you are using.
The headstock should run fairly smooth to turn the spindle by hand. If not something is causing a bind some where. It could be as simple as the drive belt too tight.
Check that the motor runs fine when not connected to the headstock spindle to eliminate that side of things.
I recently came across a new pc power supply that was no good. It had a faulty something, as the pc seemed to work ok and then would just shut down. The thermal overload kept tripping as it turned out.The replacement new one has been fine.

I was using some tools that came with the lathe and some other carbide tools I had laying around. Sometimes the motor would stop working before the tool would even get to the delrin, and if I was able to cut, I was making very small passes. I think you might be right about the power supply being bad though.

Joe
 
I have a friend who. Was a toolmaker for 30 plus years come over Friday night and he adjusted the gib for 20 minutes and he couldn't get it to work right. He adjusted those set screws over and over, and it was the same result as mine. It would either be so tight it wouldn't move freely, or it would move and there was an intolerable amount of slop in it.

Joe

I think the dovetails don't match.
 
I think the dovetails don't match.

Having hand scraped ways before this is what I think too. If that is the problem then it should go back. Rescraping (although I doubt they are hand scraped in the first place, likely ground) is not a trivial or quick job.

Dave
 
http://www.cartertools.com/setup.html
There are some hints at this link that might help you get it operating smoother. As for your electrical problems, do you know the type of motor and controller to give us some more info?

Follow the instructions in the link for setup I provided. You might be surprised how smoothly it will operate after that. Bon Ami and 3 in 1 oil is what I use to lap the lathe in for smooth operation.

As for the controller shutting down your motor, there are adjustment potentiometers on the circuit board that might need adjusting. What speed are you running the lathe at when the motor stops? Will it stop at any speed? Does it only stop under the additional load of cutting? Or will it stop with just the head stock turning? Will it stop under no load with the belt removed?
 
I thought so to, but he said "its so tight it won't hardly move left or right" so by that I figured he was talking about the saddle.

Thanks I did not see that.. But its the same procedure either way..One of the biggest problems with these extruded dove tail beds is that the extrusions are not perfect.. So its not going to be exactly the same tolerances all the way down the bed.. So if you dont have you carriage adjusted just right it can bind..
 
Follow the instructions in the link for setup I provided. You might be surprised how smoothly it will operate after that. Bon Ami and 3 in 1 oil is what I use to lap the lathe in for smooth operation.

As for the controller shutting down your motor, there are adjustment potentiometers on the circuit board that might need adjusting. What speed are you running the lathe at when the motor stops? Will it stop at any speed? Does it only stop under the additional load of cutting? Or will it stop with just the head stock turning? Will it stop under no load with the belt removed?

The motor will stop at speeds more than half way up. If I keep it running slower, it won't shut off, but the cut looks like hell. I will try some tips in that link, but we've already oiled up the leadscrew, gib, and everywhere else there is contact. The two guys I had come over and look at it think something isn't right with the lathe, so I'm trying to get ahold of the guy I got it from, but I haven't had any luck yet. As for the power supply, man, that's way above my knowledge level. I don't want to tear it apart and then get blamed for it being messed up. This is a brand new lathe, so I would hope the guy will make it right.

Joe
 
Well, I talked to the guy who made my lathe, and he was very helpful and cooperative. He said the power supply was probably bad, and he's sending me a new one tomorrow. He also said some of the carriages were prone to binding up, and he told me is getting some new carriages that are better designed to work smoother. So, I'm quite happy that he was so helpful.

Joe
 
The owner does not need to name the manufacturer, but I just want to clarify this is NOT one of my lathes.
 
It is nice to see that the builder is working on correcting the issue. That's the important thing.
 
Well, I got some .003 shim stock and glued it to the aluminum gib on my carriage and I was able to eliminate all the slop, and it moves much much smoother and cuts far mor true now. Now my cuts are shiny and smooth instead of leaving lines in the nylon rod. I almost have my first shaft collet done now! Woo hoo! Its not a permanent fix, but it works for now until I get a new carriage. Here's my collet....lol. I still need to cut a slot in it though. Will a dremel work ok to cut the slot, or should I use a saw?

Joe
 

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split your collet with a hacksaw on a 30 degree angle.it will give it the wrap around effect.


bill
 
Talk to Cueman. If it is one of his machines, he WILL make sure it works right. His customer service is exceptional. If it isn't one of his machines, he may still help you. He's just that kind of guy.
 
Talk to Cueman. If it is one of his machines, he WILL make sure it works right. His customer service is exceptional. If it isn't one of his machines, he may still help you. He's just that kind of guy.

Its not a hightower lathe, but thanks for the idea. I've been in contact with the guy who made it, and he's supposed to make it right. I'm still waiting on my new power supply he was supposed to send. I know he's pretty busy though, so I'm being patient.

Joe
 
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