Replies

1. 
   jeffn7 | Sep 19, 2002 02:22am | #1

   seems like a good idea to me.

   I chuck up router bits in my drill press for boring clean holes.

2. 
   UncleDunc | Sep 19, 2002 03:30am | #2

   Two problems that I can see. First, since the lathe doesn't turn as fast as a router, by a fairly large factor, you're not going to get the quality of cut that you would expect using a router bit. Second, and more important, if you use a right handed spiral fluted bit, the forces on the cutting edges will tend to pull the bit out of the chuck, or the chuck out of the spindle. To prevent that from happening, you need to use an end mill holder instead of a chuck, a threaded drawbar to hold the end mill holder in the spindle, and a bit with a setscrew flat on the shank, so bit won't pull out of the end mill holder. If you're using straight flute bits, this isn't a problem.

1. 
   bill_1010 | Sep 19, 2002 05:03am | #3

   cutting tools are designed for a speed.  some bits cant handle or create clean cuts if they go too fast or too slow.

2. 
   DennisS | Sep 19, 2002 05:55am | #5

   Ah - the morse taper thing and tool thrust. Guess that's why the face plate screws on the spindle (grin).

   It was just a curiosity type of idea. Not like I don't have enough honey-do projects on the list.

   Thanks for the input.

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

3. 
   SawdustSteve | Sep 19, 2002 05:06am | #4

   Dennis... I've done the reverse.  I use a #2 Morse Taper / 1/2" chuck PLUS adapter in my metal working lathe.  The chuck holds a threaded arbor.  I mount wooden discs on it and turn them to the exact size I need to make wooden gear blanks for a wood gear clock I am working on.   It's also great for holding plastic rods that I can turn (or thread) for some of my wild ideas.  There is not enough speed for turning a router bit but on some nice hard maple, it works like a dream.  It's also nice for turning round blanks for chisel handles!     SawdustSteve

1. 
   DennisS | Sep 19, 2002 06:04am | #6

   > ....my metal working lathe.

   Wah-wah ... I lust after a metal lathe.

   Progressing to more silliness, since the PM lathe I have has a 3hp variable speed 3 phase motor with lots & lots of torque even at low speed, I'm wondering how it would work for simple metal turning??. Like to just turn a shoulder down on a piece of rod or maybe drill a hole in the exact center of a disk type of thing. I did ream out a couple pieces of pipe one time by chucking the pipe in my One Way chuck and a 3/4" drill in the drill chuck in the tail stock. All I needed to do in that case was put a small chamfer around the inside rim of the pipe. Worked pretty well but there isn't a very convenient way to run coolant on a cutting tool without making a pretty big mess. Can you do light duty cutting without coolant?

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

4. 
   Trees2dust | Sep 19, 2002 11:47pm | #7

   Dennis,

   It's not a silly idea at all- it's been done.  I'm in the process of adapting my Nova 3k into a horizontal mortiser.  I'm using a Jacobs chuck that will have a bolt going into the Morse taper arbor, and the arbor will have a drawbolt going through the hollow spindle, to keep the whole assembly from flying off.  With an end mill (not a router bit) and about 3500 RPM, I think it will work well.  Mike in Katy- Planewood- adapted his lathe for horizontal boring, as you described.  I also use a grinding wheel mounted on a Morse taper work arbor.  With the variable speed DC motor, it's an instant low-speed grinder for sharpening.

   Rick

1. 
   DennisS | Sep 19, 2002 11:59pm | #8

   Cool - a lathe sure opens up a lot of possibilities.

   One concern I have is the amount of thrust the spindle bearings are able to handle without undue wear or stress. I'm actually pretty surprised sometimes at how little actual pressure turning puts on the spindle. I say that from having had the experience of a piece being loose (well, just not snug) on a screw chuck or in the adjustable scroll chuck and not realizing it until taking it off. Finding it looser than I thought it would have to be. The point being, grinding and/or attempting to machine mild steel seems like it would involve more stress on the headstock bearings than turning wood. How much is too much.....??

   I'm sure glad I decided to sell my stock in Enron early so  I could afford this lathe! (just kidding)

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]