But they are not effective at working with harder metals. 5. Id have thought the cutting forces could easily pull the metal loose. From turning a wood mandrel to cutting an aluminum blank and forming. I got Chatter every time my bit took too much bite too. You can turn wood on a metal lathe. Its hard enough to do on a metal lathe with all of the rigidity required for decent work. On a wood lathe, I doubt you would be able to turn a metal backing plate accurately enough to be better than MDF. $1,200. You can then use a wrench to bolt this bar when it is in place. A file thrown back by the chuck jaws can injure you. This forum post is now archived. There are some safety concerns when turning soft metals on a wood lathe. But gloves are risky around moving machinery because they can catch and drag your hand in. Try it Kevin. While turning metal on a wood lathe is technically possible, it's not a good idea for people who don't have any lathe experience. Now that we know that it is possible to turn metal on a wood lathe, even if it isnt advisable or the most sensible thing to do, were going to go into a little more detail about how you can do it while focusing on the previously mentioned caveats and taking them into account. Any recommendations? The best tool for cutting and turning steel is a gavel, and youre better off using it in the same way that you would use a chisel to work wood, cutting off long thin strips while methodically working your way around your piece of steel. Top speed of metal lathes may not cater to specific tasks. For a limited amount if turning, just use your woodturning chuck to hold your metal. Some metal alloys are more free-cutting and turnable than others. My problem is adapting the typical three-jaw metal-working chuck to fit my 1-1/4 inch, 8 tpi spindle. Since a good number of ferrous metal materials can be turned using a wooden lathe, our answer is in affirmative. And this brings us neatly to our aforementioned third tip, dont panic if it doesnt seem as though youre making any progress, believe us you are. The speed attainable - your lathe does go slow enough, but what is the torque like at those lower speeds? Free shipping. 16" x 40" 3-Phase Gunsmithing Metal Lathe. For the life of me, I cant find the proper adapter. You need chisels with long handles so that they won't be ripped from your hands by the force of the lathe. Yes, any of the leaded brasses or free-machining brasses should be fine. On a wood lathe, I doubt you would be able to turn a metal backing plate accurately enough to be better than MDF. If you want to reduce the roughness while youre turning your steel, you can use a hard file to do it, which usually works well in conjunction with the previously mentioned sweet spot speed. The less movement, or flex that there is in the steel, the less likely you are to end up facing undue amounts of skipping, or chatter. A file will help scratch the surface of the metal, removing chatter marks if necessary. The way a machinist would do it, is to turn a very accurate disc, the exact size to fit into your chuck's back recess. . The rigidity of a wood lathe is a problem. Can't do that with a wood chuck, but you can use thin sheet copper to shim the jaws to achieve perfection. hi terry iam just getting into lathes dont know what iam looking for can i use a small metal lathe to do wood working as well as metal .what do i need to look out for when buying a used lathe can you recommend a good starter lathe to learn on .glenn. They can get in your skin like splinters. So, the dust and shavings from the wood may lead it to corrode easily. You can turn soft metals on a wood lathe, but it is not recommended to do this with ferrous metals. Turning Brass on Wood Lathe 13,621 views Sep 24, 2020 386 Dislike Share Ebenisterie lose 6.58K subscribers This videos goes over the method for turning metal, specifically brass, on a. Woodturning (a.k.a. If youre looking for the right equipment to work on these types of projects then metal turning lathes maybe your best option. Brass should turn well, but stainless steel could be a problem. Lastly, its also vitally important to remember not to attempt to pick up or clean away any of the steel shavings while youre turning your metal, as unlike wood, when those shavings fly off the metal, theyre incredibly hot. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abc0044ff64654a86eaeb951c4870acd" );document.getElementById("e7750a9ccf").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. And if it is, why would you want to do so? When turning strong woods, a metal lathe is a great choice because it has more strength, but softer woods require a little more care to achieve a perfect handcraft. A wood lathe can be used for small projects in soft metal, but it is not recommended. I occasionally turn some pens and other small objects using blanks laminated from wood and thin aluminum (soft drink cans). Watch out for shavings because they are very sharp and hot. Brass can be turned on a lathe and can also be made into parts for jewelry. 5 Best Mini Lathe For Ring Making in 2021 Guides & Reviews, 3 Best Mini Metal Lathes in 2021 Buyers Guide & Reviews, Everything You Need to Know About Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Outlets (GFCIs), Furnace vs Heat-Pump: Which Central Heating System Is Right for Your Home, Why Your Air Conditioning AC System Is Blowing Warm Air, How to Fix Common Plumbing Problems Yourself, The Right & Wrong Way to Use a Pipe Wrench. 3. Use a bit as sharp as possible and go less than 1/3 of the speed of cut If you need to utilise say a drill Heavy Morse taper chuck as a Milling machine similarly to using wood to metal lathe.. (I put a compound slide on the drill table and wound it in very shallow cuts and small increments with a tct dovetail cutter as my bit. I turned the aluminium finial shown above on my Graduate Shortbed lathe, mainly using a small gouge, cutting as if the metal were wood. Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. That's fantastic advice you give about turning my own backing plate! + $19.99 shipping. But like all simple answers, there are a number of caveats attached to the process that, depending on your point of view, mean that just because you can turn metal on a wood lathe, it doesnt necessarily mean that you should. When sanding the metal can get quite hot so make sure you dont hurt yourself. Lathes can be divided into three types for easy identification: engine lathe, turret lathe, and special purpose . Heres the one I use on Amazon. You can't use the same cutters though. Using a wood lathe to turn metal may result in chatter. Which means the vibration on your workpiece, which will leave ridged or rough surface on it. I'd have a look at the achievable tolerances and see if it suits. Easy Woodworking Project Plans. 4. Safety when turning soft metals on a wood lathe, Beginners Wood Lathe Speed Guide + Calculator, Sharpening Woodturning Tools for Beginners. Wood lathes lack the necessary precision to turn non-ferrous metals. SPONSORED. Turning steel or other ferrous metal can quickly ruin the cutting tools and wear out your machine. MT1 Wood Turning Tool,Heavy Duty Bearing Tailstock Wood Metal Lathe Center,Y7. In general, you will get two options for a lathe in the market to work with two different kinds of materials- wood and metal. the disc. The hardness of the metal resists the cut, and the cut is very liable to chatter. Free shipping . With a sharp HSS tool, you barely even notice the aluminum. Sturdier balance along with its power feed-in its carriage, metal lathes will also help you to turn long wood pieces. 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 $ 14,130. Delta Wood Lathe With Cast Iron Legs Base Stand (No Motor) . Woodworking. A solid grip without vibration is really important if you want a good finish off the tool. This is achieved using a lathe to spin a block of wood against hand-held carving tools. Place your wooden workpiece on the lathe. Yes, I do have dial gauges, which I used to setup my lathe, drill press, bandsaw, and miter saw, but it has been gathering dust since. If you turn metal on a wood lathe often or for long periods, you may end up damaging your lathe. That means minimum projection from the headstock. When turning metal on a wood lathe it is hard to avoid. Was: Free shipping. Nevertheless, wed like to part with a piece of advice for you; Always make sure to clean your metal lathes using a shop vac instead of compressed air if you choose to go ahead with turning wood using metal lathes.P.S. It must hold the workpiece firmly. Thank you for replying to this in such a quick manner. While were sure youre already prepared for any eventuality in your workshop, there are a couple of additional things that youll need to think about when youre turning metal. A graver, which you can easily make yourself, wastraditionally made from square section tool steel with a diagonal flat, leaving a long point at one corner. Never clear away swarf while the lathe is running. Mini Motorized Metalworking Turning Metal Lathe Machine DIY Wood Tools. Turning Metal on a Wood Lathe - A 'Woodturning' Experiment Croaky Oak 8.5K views 11 months ago Watch the FIFA World Cup live on FOX All 64 matches also available in 4K with 4K Plus No thanks Try. That, YES, wooden lathes can be used in turning metal work pieces, although relatively. That said, the example that were going to talk about, which will help us to highlight some of the problems that youll face while turning metal, is the metal workers ferrous favorite, steel. You can turn soft metals on a lathe, even if it is not designed for the task. AU $61.88. The workpiece must be stiff, or well supported, so it doesnt flex. Dust Right Lathe Dust Collection System, Wood Turning Accessories by R. Cutting speeds are lower than for wood, but because only small items are possible, the normal low-speed setting on the lathe is probably OK. Finally a voice of reason! Many people believe this is a bad idea but you can actually turn copper on your wood lathe. Place your wooden workpiece on the lathe.2. Your best bet is probably to pay a small machine shop to weld a piece of steel to the back of the chuck, turn it round and cut threads into it to fit. These machines have sharper cutting tools that will last longer and wont wear out as quickly when dealing with steel or other ferrous metals. Small items are possible. Free shipping. They'll also need to develop a proper shearing technique before trying to turn metal. Soft or hardwood is okay for this lathe, but be sure the speed is adequately high if you are trying to cut or sand a piece. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to avoid this problem. Turning aluminum is possible on a wood lathe, but you should not attempt to do this with ferrous metals. This wood lathe turning tool is notorious for being difficult to handle and requires patience to use correctly. Fine Woodworking receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Many wood lathes are capable of turning a larger diameter than metal lathes. Find this Pin and more on Stained glass patterns by Richard Kane. It is risky, too. The surface may turn out to be rough, but sanding the work will fix it.5. The manufacturer claims it has plenty of torque, even at low speeds, but they don't give a measurement of the torque. It is recommended to use the tool at a 45 angle to the workpiece and avoid using the corners of the tool. A bit like a jam chuck. Search grantham418 . Metal lathes are the better option if you want to turn the wood piece into a cylindrical shape with precise dimensions. Choose the right hard hitting JET Tools wood lathe now and get to work! The techniques differ too so you cannot just use a piece of wood as you would with metal and work on a metal lathe. Wood lathe bearings may not be as good as metal lathe bearings. We hope this article answers all your queries about turning wood using metal lathes. Lathes are designed for turning wood. With proper sealing, copper is able to retain its original hue. I guess the only thing left for me to figure out is what voltage would be recommended in getting. One advantage metal lathe has over wood lathe is that its sturdier and hence enable you to handle unsteady wood pieces with less vibration. This can happen when you use sandpaper. But many items dont need such precision. Even on a lightweight lathe you can make simple shapes (for example putting a pointed end on a short bit of rod) in steel using a file, an angle grinder or a rotating grinding wheel held in a drill chuck. "Can" is the important word here. I wouldn't hesitate to try turning any of the free-machining alloys though. I collect hobbies. Woodturners are familiar with the problem of chatter. A lathe is a machine tool that rotates the workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, and turning. Patience really is a virtue when youre turning steel in a wood lathe because as metal is a lot harder than wood, it takes a lot longer to successfully turn and cut it. However, you should not attempt to turn metal on a wood lathe. A bad dig-in could wrench the cutting tool hard enough to break it and perhaps cause injury. How to Turn Wood on a Metal Lathe? We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive Or to put it more simply, woodworkers believe that wood lathes should be used to fashion wood, while metal turners believe that metal lathes are the only tool that you should use to turn metal. If you want to turn wood primarily pickup a wood lathe and have fun - the investment in money and time will be much lower. HYUNDAI HiT-30S CNC LATHE / TURNING CENTER 20" SWING, 12" Chuck. It is about 5 inches tall. If I turn smaller parts and limit the amount of material I remove, I don't suspect torque would be a problem. Some grades are liable to work hardening, so if the tool rubs on the metal it becomes too hard to turn easily. Funnily enough it came up in my feed a couple of weeks ago! There are a variety of adapter plates for metal lathes, but I cant find one to fit my wood lathe. Despite being unable to turn metal, theyre terrific at woodturning projects. As steel is a lot harder to work than wood, turning it is really going to take it out of you, especially given that youll have to keep the gavel and file pressed hard to the steel for the duration of the job. 2. Do you have a dial guage? Lathes Woodworking Elevate your turning projects a step higher with a woodworking JET Lathe. 3 weeks ago . Turning metal on a wood lathe is tiring, particularly with steel, because the tool must be held firmly up to the work. $551.99. Long strands could even catch your fingers and drag them in. Reading this article really helped me out on my decision to get a wood lathe to start turning rings! You should wear a face shield for all your turning. than $10 a month. Cost: From what I've seen metal lathes cost more than wood lathes when you consider similar capacities and features. So I dont necessarily recommend getting a wood lathe in order to do metal turning, although if you have one, you can do some metal work on it. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building! Mini Multipurpose . It would be similar to a woodturning point tool, but with a more obtuse point. AU $23.99. Aluminium turns with a graver or even a small short-beveled bowl gouge. You can also use a metal lathe to turn wood. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAQLrM1P-YQ, Big tabletop, metal legs, and wood expansion, How to build old-fashioned carriage doors, Editor's Letter: Technology and the future of woodworking. Dont know if thatll help you determine the answer. .more. Both of these lathes usually have different turning processes. In this article, we'll discuss what a lathe is, the . Chucks for metal holding typically come with three tapped M6 or M8 holes on the back. Even then there are rotation speeds and feed rates and depth of cuts that factor into all of this that needs to be addressed as well as cutting height and tool geometry, and if you think you are going to hand hold your cutting tool like a wood lathe.Not happening. Tool-post for metal lathes require custom design. + AU $6.00 postage. It is certainly possible to turn metal and even stone however there are some limitations: 1. The surface may turn out to be rough, but sanding the work will fix it. Copper can harden and sometimes needs to be softened if it has trouble cutting. So for the stainless steel and all other metal Ill be using Ill only really be turning them slightly. Copper is a base metal, while brass is an alloy. It is just like we mentioned earlier about brass. A lathe is an excellent machining tool that will help you shaping wood, metal, and a variety of other materials. VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe 7"x14" Metalworking Woodworking Gears Milling 2250RPM. If you havent turned metal before, youre going to be in for a shock, as its a lot more difficult to cut than wood, mainly because its a lot harder. A fulcrum can be described as a holding device that fits directly into the lathe. You could use a piece of MDF attached to a faceplate or as you say drill the holes, though getting it precisely centred could be a total nightmare. This is really going to help me out! Now that weve got that out of the way, and in doing so have hopefully satisfied those ensconced in both lathe camps, its time to draw back the curtain and reveal the secrets of turning metal on a wood lathe. Usually, the tailstock and headstock of a metal lathe tend to have a better alignment along with a strong quill. Even with tailstock support, that was not rigid enough, so I had to sand it to an acceptable finish. Then decide if you want to devote the space and money to a metal lathe. If the workpiece is held rigidly, the pivot pin can help prevent chatter too. Just be sure you stop the power to clean swarf and get rid of that neck tie. One of the main issues is that metal can get very hot while you turn it and can become sharp which can lead to injury. The swarf is sharp and hot wood chips hitting your hand are annoying, but metal swarf can cut or burn. You can turn softer, non-ferrous metals such as brass on a wood lathe. This just AINT worth the incredible danger! Slower speeds are best for carving since the metal lathe is . You can use ahigh speed steel woodturning scraper or agraver. For short pieces where low accuracy is acceptable, it should be fine. While working with unsteady wooden pieces, metal lathes are better because they maintain a slower speed as opposed to wood lathes. Converting a wood lathe to metal lathe with milling vice - YouTube 0:00 / 13:52 Converting a wood lathe to metal lathe with milling vice 30,086 views Jan 21, 2018 240 Dislike. Its true, but it is important to note that you can only turn softer non-ferrous metals such as brass. I think you could achieve quite a lot with a good wood lathe, but a metal lathe is designed and equipped for the work. It is essential that the workpiece is secure in the lathe. If youre looking to turn curved wood shapes, then metal lathes arent the one to go for. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The metal lathes that come with back-gear will allow lower speeds. If you need to produce turned wooden parts and use your metal lathe, you will need to buy a set of woodturning chisels. It is good to understand that wood lathes are particularly made for turning wood. What tools are recommended for soft metal turning? . MT1 Wood Turning Tool,Heavy Duty Bearing Tailstock Wood Metal Lathe Center,I4. Good used lathes are available, and for the same money may be better than a new one, though lacking modern features such as electronic variable speed. If you can successfully turn steel on your wood lathe, youll be able to turn any other metal with ease. The tool in your hand will have a hard time making a cut, and it is very possible that the cut will become jagged due to chatter (a term that refers to an uneven motion). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAQLrM1P-YQ. $599.99. Get complete site access to video workshops, digital plans library, online archive, and more, plus the print magazine. Metals like brass, aluminum, and copper can be turned quite well on a wooden lathe; however, steel cannot. Use tailstock supportwhenever possible. Last Updated on November 4, 2022 by Charles Wilson. You could convert a triangular or square file, but ahigh speed steel tool bit would be better. 2. FREE delivery Dec 2 - 13 . Mophorn Wood Lathe 14" x 40", Power Wood Turning Lathe 1/2HP 4 Speed 1100/1600/2300/3400RPM, Benchtop Wood Lathe with 3 Chisels Perfect for High Speed Sanding and Polishing of Finished Work. The item is a candle cup. Hello Glenn. $188.88. Metal materials like aluminium, zinc, brass, and others can be deformed and easily turned using a wooden lathe. turnery) is the art of carving wood into a round shape with radial symmetry. If you can use a fixed pivot point, make sure you do, as itll make things a lot easier. The metal bar will be placed through a secure slot and attached with a complimentary bar. Wood care how to clean, refresh and repair wooden bowls. WM210V Precision Metal Lathe Metric Thread Bench Lathe 900W #028284. Free shipping. Normal chisels can easily break and dull. A file will shape the item and remove chatter marks if necessary. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Required fields are marked *. This gives more control. AU $23.99. I plan to adapt a cross slide and tool holder to secure the carbide-tipped tools. Im interested in using a wood lathe (Laguna Revo 18-36, 220 V, 2 HP) to turn metal parts on occasion. While there are two separate schools of thought about whether you can, or cannot turn metal on a wood lathe, and whether or not you should even attempt to try doing it, the simple answer is that you can turn metal using a wood lathe. AU $33.24. Free shipping. Use a gravera bit like a skew chisel. As steel is much harder to turn than wood, youll need to lower the speed of your lathe and it might take you a while to find the right speed thatll enable you to work the steel properly, but youll find it through a process of trial and error - when you find that sweet spot with minimal chatter, thats the right one. If the workpiece is held rigidly, the pivot pin can help prevent chatter too. That having been said, there are plenty of 'tubers turning steel and aluminum on the wood lathe, though results reported are variable, primarily due to limited quality gear. Many people cant believe that you can turn soft metals on a wood lathe. 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. They are also very accurate. It can make turning wood on a metal lathe much easier since the headstock is more specific to handling wood and the wood rest makes managing the wood easier. Begin by tracing a profile. But if you dont have an engineering lathe and arent too ambitious, you can turn small items in brass, aluminium or even steel freehand quite successfully on a wood lathe. You cant turn steel or other ferrous metals this way because they will ruin the cutting tools and quickly wear out the machine. woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community. And in case youre wondering why we chose steel as our example, there is a method to our metal turning madness. Joshua, I have no experience of lower voltage machines. Using the corners can cause the workpiece to "catch" - which can be potentially dangerous. Metal lathes are more expensive but they are worth the price. Honestly, if youre going to try cutting steel freehand, you are going to run headlong into a lot of chatter (which happens when your tool begins to jump and skip over the material that youre turning), so be ready for it. Again thank you again for the insight! A mini lathe, for example one from Record or Axminster is where most people start. I came here looking for some insight into turning metal objects on a wood lathe and your post has been great. At the very least, you will need: Roughing Gouge Shallow Fluted Gouge Skew chisel Parting tool These necessary woodturning tools will get you started using your metal lathe as a woodturning tool. I can't offer personal experience, but this chap can: he drills his holes on the back plate around the 24 minute mark in this video. The first rule to remember is that while you can turn ferrous metals, its better to stick to turning non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, and brass as they are generally softer and thus easier to turn on a wood lathe. Metal splinters can be incredibly painful, and as the shavings tend to be much finer than wood, theyre also much more difficult to locate and remove, and the gloves will help to prevent them from getting stuck in your hands while youre turning your steel. I found plenty of advice on YouTube about metal working with a lathe (Blondiehacks has an excellent tutorial). And even though it runs contrary to everything that you know about working wood on a lathe, its not a bad idea to wear a pair of thin rubber gloves, that wont get caught on the lathe while youre working. This gives more control. Holding the tool in your hand so that it cuts steel is difficult. I was seeing fingers on the floor and a cutting tool in someones eye! I threaded the finial onto a bit of 12 mm studding held in a chuck. Turning with a scraper can make chips like little needles. Although you can use metal lathes to turn wood, you also need to remember that low-priced wood lathes are capable of working with much bigger stock than cheap metal lathes. 4pcs MT2 Steel Wood Lathe Live Center Drive Spur Cup Arbor Lathe Accessories. Theyre a bit smaller too. Ive done it. Our second tip runs directly into our third tip, and that tip is to take your time. You can do woodturning in the proper way through a wood lathe machine, and your workpieces will get a better shape by the . 360 is just the only type I've actually turned on my wood lathe so I can't give first-hand account to any other type. It helps to use a pivot pin in the toolrest to lever the tool into the work. AU $31.99. There are various metal alloys, but some metals turn more easily and smoothly than others. It can also corrode when exposed to the elements, turning red or green. This is due to the fact that metal lathes count on close tolerances and adequately machined surfaces. A metal lathe can be used for wood, but there are problems, such as limited size range and access for tools, lack of a tool rest, the affect of the shavings and dust on the lathe and the risk of oil getting on the wood. 4. Advantages of Turning Wood on A Metal Lathe, Disadvantages of Turning Wood on A Metal Lathe, 20 Beginner-Friendly Wood Lathe Projects (That Sell), CNC Lathe Turret Alignment Procedure: 10 Steps, Lathe vs Milling Machine: 5 differences, why they matter. 24W Metal Mini Turning Lathe Machine Motorized Metalworking DIY Wood Tool. Most people use them ring inlays, pen turning or small projects. For occasional small jobs that dont need great precision, freehand turning works. Turning Metal on a Wood Lathe - A 'Woodturning' Experiment 4,097 views Dec 12, 2021 Is turning metal in a wood lathe even possible?! Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your 00. If you have any experience or advice, Id appreciate it. Safety when turning metal on a wood lathe Yes, you can. And you might be able to grind the metal to shape while it spins in the lathe using abrasives or a dremel type tool or a file. Internal turning You can use internal turning to enlarge the inner hole of the workpiece. Manual only! The primary reason why most woodworkers and metal turners pour scorn on the idea of turning metal on a wood lathe is mainly due to them believing in the old adage, the right tool for the right job. Sorby makes a line of tools for metal-spinning (on a "wood" lathe) Tim Yoder did two episodes of his WoodTurning Working (PBS) on the subject Making sawdust mostly, sometimes I get something else, but that is more by accident then design. You can turn soft metals on a wood lathe, but it is not recommended to do this with ferrous metals. Wood Turning by Wood and Metal Lathe. Join our trusted experts for these in-depth, online learning experiences. Metal lathes are more expensive but they are worth the price. All turning machinery should have heavy bearings relative to its original design. . Lathes are designed specifically for either woodturning or engineering purposes, rarely both. So be safe and be well. Youll have to control the speed manually. A similar job held in a chuck is harder, because the metal can move away from the cutting tool. Woodturning can produce candlesticks, tool . Wood and metal cutters are designed differently, and appropriate to their specific application. But as far as holding the rings in place Ive watched a couple of videos on how to make a ring holder for turning rings using wood so holding the rings wouldnt be the issue. 8 Items Sort By JWL-1015 10'' x 15'' Wood Lathe Add to Compare Add to Wish List See details JWL-1015VS 10'' x 15'' Variable Speed Wood Lathe Add to Compare Add to Wish List See details Many metal shops use a 4 jaw chuck and individually adjust each jaw to true the workpiece. Turning Steel on wood lathe 18,885 views Mar 2, 2017 77 Dislike Share A Gontran 978 subscribers Turning steel on a wood lathe. into a range of topics that matter. Metal lathes require a fast and thorough cleaning after the wood is turned on it. You can do hard turning on metal or wooden lathe provided the machine you're using is strong enough for the forces created. There are quite a few videos on how to do that on youtube too. Turning metal on a wood lathe is possible, but not advised. Tools leave a polished surface on brass. For example, modifying a drive centre while it is in the spindle taper is easy. Wood the burrs, spalting and other decorative features in wooden bowls. Sharing tips and experience. Brass can be finished in many ways, including polishing it to give the desired color. Do please let me know how you get on. This scenario is dangerous as the chisel can be thrown into the air and potentially harm a person nearby. Within a given budget, bigger machines are likely to be more useful, but it depends what you want to make. Wood lathes can be used to turn a variety of different materials, but can you use them to turn soft metals? Many metal shops use a 4 jaw chuck and individually adjust each jaw to true the workpiece. This will be concentric with your lathe centre and also mean you will get minimal runout. Turning metal on a wood lathe can be a great way to experiment with shop projects. Instead, beginners should start by turning wooden projects to become familiar with the process. They work in a simple way and operating system. UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less Even on a lightweight lathe, you can still make simple shapes. This version of a lathe is not properly equipped to make bowls, or cups or difficult moldings and require modifications. When you use a metal lathe to turn wood, the leftover shavings from the wood may cause damage to the bed, carriage, and left slide to the metal. This is not surprising given the additional tooling necessary to work a metal lathe. Remember to let the tool cut and not force it. If you attempt to brush them away or move them without giving them a chance to cool down, you will burn yourself. I have a small project that I need this for, but Im still not sure if I want to risk my lathe or my health with this. Accuracy is lost without a proper slide rest, and requires the skill of the turner. Carpentry Projects. This vibration tends to result in a rough or ridged surface on the work. The machine Im currently looking at is said to go as high as 3500 RPM. You can turn metal on a wood lathe; however, it is not made for this purpose. VEVOR Wood Lathe 14" x 40" Power Wood Turning Lathe 400W 4 Speed Benchtop. 5. They are also able to drill and then can pierce a hole to your desired diameter. In this video we'll explain how to turn brass into a bottle stopper. Wood lathes are great for working with a variety of materials like wood, plastics, copper, and aluminum. It sounds pretty dangerous, especially since Im not that experienced with metalwork. You should choose a lathe built for rigidity. Increase the speed for turning after the profile has been traced.4. With that said my metal lathe isn't going anywhere, and I plan to upgrade to a better wood lathe than the old HF one I have now but it does work just fine It helps to use a pivot pin in the toolrest to lever the tool into the work. You are NOT turning metal on a wood latheperiod. And I have my doubts about a wooden chuck, although you say you have seen it done. If you are interested in working with these types of harder metal then consider getting a metal turning lathe instead of one made for woodworking. The simple answer is yes. Eye protection is a must. Speed is of the essence, or rather a lack of it is. Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more. I think I can make my own by drilling holes a lathe faceplate, which is made for screwing to the bottom of blanks for bowl turning. If youre going to turn metal, or in this case steel, in your wood lathe then youll need to be properly prepared. The spinning tools used for this project are all made in my shop. The strength needed to hold tools steady on metal exceeds what is required for woodturning. You dont want high speed when turning metal, certainly not that fast, it will cause vibration in the work. Making true cylinders or flat surfaces accurate to a thousandth of an inch freehand is not easy. A wood lathe rotates faster than a metal lathe, which causes "chatter," and the carving tools heat up rapidly on metal. One who practices this craft is called a turner or woodturner. Wood lathes are not capable enough to turn more rigid materials such as metal or aluminum. But power is not too much of an issue for small items, even in metal. The cutters installed in a metal lathe are unable to produce satisfactory results in wood surfaces and you need additional time and effort to sand the workpiece. 80)3. Many projects do not require precision to the thousandths of an inch. Metal lathes make turning long wood pieces easier. 4pcs MT2 Steel Wood Lathe Live Center Drive Spur Cup Arbor Lathe Accessories. Youre going to need to make sure that the steel is tightly locked in place before you begin turning and cutting it. More by the author: About: Check out some of my shop adventures on YouTube. @John_C2, I took your advice and ordered some spigot jaws, which would hold some of the metal stock I need to turn. I thought about using a metal lathe in my local maker-space, but theyre all closed due to the pandemic. Chunks of metal flying out of the machine are even more likely to do you harm than are lumps of wood. Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Turning metal on a wood lathe. A Jacobs chuck will hold small items. If you use hard turning, it leaves spiral patterns on the workpiece surface, resulting in sealing problems. The workpiece can be either metal or wood with different tools used for each type in order to create symmetry. Thats why people turn brass or similar soft metals on a wood lathe. You will have to think about how you will hold the coins/rings. It is possible to reduce the amount of chatter that youll have to deal with while cutting your steel, and the main way to do it is by making sure that the steel youre turning, is held as tightly as possible in your lathe. To prevent chatter, you need a strongly built lathe, with good bearings. When youre done sanding the wood, drill it with a 3/4 router bit6. UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all. Sharp shavings can also become hazardous, so make sure to watch out for them and wear protective clothing such as an apron around your legs and a face mask. The turning of soft metal on a wood lathe is . Cutting speed is slower with metals which means that it might not be necessary to use a high, fast speed when turning. 4pcs MT2 Live Center Drive Spur Centre Stick Spur Cup Wood Lathe Turning Tools. Metal shavings are hot and sharp when they fly off the main body of the steel that youre working, and they can easily blind you or cause a permanent eye injury if youre not wearing goggles. The tool holder of a heavily-built engineering lathe clamps the cutting tool firmly and moves mechanically. If your goal is to work with these harder metal types then you will need a metal turning lathe instead of one made for woodworking. Working freehand, accuracy is harder to achieve. Brass and aluminum tend to respond well to scrapers and gouges, respectively. Thin rubber gloves that can easily tear are safer. If you are interested in working with these types of harder metal then consider getting a metal turning lathe instead of one made for woodworking. Its OK for an occasional job, but if you are getting into woodturning you will want a proper wood lathe. Then use a 1 router bit. Reddish-orange in color, copper is known to be soft and quite malleable. Turning metal on a wood lathe is tiring, particularly with steel, because the tool must be held firmly up to the work. 3. 5. Now I have another use for the dial gauges! What it does, it holds a work-piece then rotates it to give any desired shape by performing different cutting methods. Chula Vista. Wrenching a cutting tool can cause it to break and could put you in danger. Safety goggles are a must, and not wearing them isnt an option. To spin metal on a lathe, you first build and install a fulcrum. The metal lathe offers an adjustable heat setting for turning wood, as well as a high level of accuracy and functionality. There are problems to overcome. Increase the speed for turning after the profile has been traced. The turning process basically would be the same way as turning a wood piece on a wood lathe. The best wood lathes are typically not very expensive, but they can still do some small metalwork as well. See also turning with metal. Now that you know what it involves, youre ready to start turning metal on a wood lathe. Want a great shop vac? It will take longer, but you will get there in the end. Tools must always be used with a proper handle to stop the tang impaling your hand. One way to make this process work and turn wood on a metal lathe is that you can use a big bar of steel in the tool holder, replacing the tool and utilize it as a firm rest for more traditional woodturning tools. Turning wood on a regular mini metal lathe makes more sense than turning metal on a wood lathe even if its the finest one. Personally, I think Lathes impart such an immense amount of energy into a system that any solution using screws and such cobbled together would be way too dangerous for use, at least for myself. + AU $10.00 postage. Id rather not do that because Id probably get the holes slightly off-center and end up with a bunch of runout. Turning steel is difficult because of the hard nature of the metal. + AU $1.99 postage. Its edges (not the point) can plane off long, thin curly shavings from steel. If you buy used, get a good quality machine because there may not be a warranty. I dont expect to have to turn metal parts often, so I dont want to invest in a metal turning lathe. Your email address will not be published. I'm wondering why metal lathes aren't used for [wood]turning. Aug 2, 2012 (Edited) You can turn wood on a lathe made for turning metals. Lathe Tool Rest,One-Piece Stainless Steel Woodworking Turning Tool Holder T B2T6. Your email address will not be published. Laguna Tools REVO2436-220 24 l 36 3HP 220V REVO Lathe New. Interrupted cuts, such as turning the corners off square stock, are particularly difficult freehand because it is hard to control the cutting tool. 8x14" Digital Metal Turning Mini Lathe Machine Automatic Wood Milling 2500 RPM. More About granthams . Itll just take a lot longer to see any discernible changes in the metal that youre working, so take your time and dont panic. Metal lathes are generally considerably stiffer, with thicker stronger ways. Commenting has been disabled. You may struggle to fit a cross slide and tool holder. In my mind, it comes down to 3 Cs: cost, convenience, and creativity. Light cuts using a robust and sharp tool, with minimum projection over the toolrest, should then produce an acceptable result. I havent tried machining solid metal blanks with a wood lathe yet, but the same light cuts and good technique that produce a good finish on wood should do the same with soft metals that are already round. Do you have a dial guage? AU $34.99. 1. If you find the stainless steel hardens, you could try tungsten carbide tipped tools. . It also has the detent ring I described. Begin by tracing a profile.3. The wood lathe could do a lot more than make rings, of course. Turning steel or other ferrous metal can quickly ruin the cutting tools and wear out your machine. You can design this with a solid metal bar. The first rule to remember is that while you can turn ferrous metals, it's better to stick to turning non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, and brass as they are generally softer and thus easier to turn on a wood lathe. 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