Recent content by WoodchipWilbur

I now have a fine mini lathe (thanks, Dangles!) - AND I'm getting to grips with it! But I have a suuplementary question... HOW MINI IS MINI? The lathe has a couple of chucks - they can both hold work up to c.3" diameter. There's a faceplate, too - that's over 6" (160mm) BUT... Any tool in...

Good to meet you, Dangles! It was a pleasure to collect your lathe - and the accompanying packets of extra bits of kit. It's in my workshop - and plugged in. I'm happy to say that it works as advertised. Now all I have to do is to learn how to use it! I do have an initial query. The saddle...

I've messaged you privately. Let's go for this!

Me? I don't use anything at the moment! I am a veritable babe in arms - a mere suckling... From what I have read on this thread, I am anticipating using HSS. (From observing bell tuning at the foundry, they use HSS - and the bell (on a big vertical lathe) turns at about 0.2 per sec (or...

Yes! Well interested. Got gazumped on the £60 quid one :cautious: Send some piccies and I think we can do business. I think you are Leicestershire. It's possible I could swing by on Sunday.

Now... the timber carriage would be grist to my mill!! Small lathe update: The two that Sachakins pointed to finally went for around £230 and £250. I bid - but I felt that this was far too much to pay for an unknown kit of parts when a new one is only about £100 more. I did see a fully...

First: Thanks for the quite unnecessary aplology! I didn't feel derogated (a real word?) In the case of the kid's bells, you are spot on. After a casting session, we have 12 bells - all of which need to be fettled up, ready for the next week. Speed and "pretty" are far more important than any...

What a wonderful film! Cut glass accent and a splendid mid-century adherence to the good old Elf and Safety. I think my favourite is the foundry workers gear - cloth cap and a positive attitude... To business...The conical stub is actually the route I take for machining the outside. Sadly...

OK - responding to several bits here... As Fergie 307 says, something like the Drummond (or anything on its own stand) is a no-no. My workshop (mainly a woodwork shop) is 3.8m x 2.7m (sorry - smaller than the 15 sqm I mentioned above). One side has work surface the full length with space below...

That is as maybe - but "of a decent size" is a problem in my 15 sqm workshop that already houses: Table saw; Band saw; planer/thicknesser; Wood lathe; Belt sander; Pillar drill; Extractor; Furnace; Scroll saw. The lathe is fixed. Everything else is on castors and pulls out from under work...

Those look like they may fit my budget - and space (some heavy-duty tidying needed, but won't come amiss!) - and it sounds like it only needs putting together. Should be able to sort that. The next jobs will be to work out how to fix my bells in the lathe (They are rather like a wedge of wet...

Your wish: My command! That photo makes it look a bit too tall. This one is 69mm dia. I have smoothed it off reasonably - but the metal is far too thick still (so the note is much too high. You'd think that taking metal off made the note higher - but it doesn't) I'm aware that metal lathes...

I have an occasional task (tuning small home cast brass hand bells) that needs a lathe. Currently I am doing this with a variety of abrasives on my woodworking lathe - but it is painfully slow and unsatisfactory. The bells themselves are around 60-100mm diameter across the mouth. I am NOT...

Bit late! It's almost made - and I have, actually, delighted in a nice, staightforward bit of woodworking which is resulting in something that's going to give her (and me!) significant pleasure.

That's useful, thanks! This whole project has had to go on hold for a bit. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has deemed that a more powerdul laser doesn't yet fit a budget that is a bit stretched this year by Golden Wedding celebrations. (Though se was planning on spending rather more than that...