I am interested in finding out how to make a lathe. I have heard of the Gingery book on this subject, and would like to know if this is the best. Also, what is the approximate cost of such an undertaking? thanks
> I am interested in finding out how to make a lathe. I have heard of the > Gingery book on > this subject, and would like to know if this is the best. Also, what is > the approximate cost > of such an undertaking? thanks
Get the whole series by Gingery, about $60. Great reading even if you are not (like me) going to build the lathe (or other machines) the last book (#6) covers making accessories for the lathe. See Lindsay.
Adam Ross wrote in message <36B925EF.D2B69...@netgsi.com>... >I am interested in finding out how to make a lathe. I have heard of the >Gingery book on >this subject...
I agree with Paul, buy the entire set (I did). I finished a modified version of the foundry, I have read the lathe book about 4 times and produced several patterns. One major advantage you have in building a Gingery lathe is the wealth of knowledge on the group. There are rocky parts in the building that everyone seems to hit, and those who have gone before can really save you some time and a lot of frustration. IMO once you complete the lathe, you have a machine and knowledge that can be used to produce something more sophisticated.
Regards,
Brian
-- Please remove the extra period and capital x to respond via-email. This address mangle has been forced upon me (and you) by e-mail spammers.
The cost in dollars will be minimal. But you will spend hundreds of hours on this quest. IF you have the time and the sticktoitivity it takes, GO FOR IT.
Adam Ross wrote in message <36B925EF.D2B69...@netgsi.com>... >I am interested in finding out how to make a lathe. I have heard of the >Gingery book on >this subject, and would like to know if this is the best. Also, what is >the approximate cost >of such an undertaking? thanks
In article <36B925EF.D2B69...@netgsi.com>, Adam Ross <a...@netgsi.com> wrote:
> I am interested in finding out how to make a lathe. I have heard of the > Gingery book on > this subject, and would like to know if this is the best. Also, what is > the approximate cost > of such an undertaking? thanks
I've built the lathe ant it was a very rewarding experience for me. The whole Gingery series is worth getting.
The cost actually depends on how many tools your already have and how well you can scrounge for materials. I purchased some large diameter drills and measuring instruments to make the job faster and easier.
I find the Gingery lathe to be a usefull tool but being aluminum it is not as rigid as a commercially available lathe. For example, I find that the compound slide deflects when I try to take a heavy cut. All that means is that you need to take light cuts.
I'll try to guantify things a bit. For materials only, I have spent perhaps $200 CAD on the Gingery Lathe. Here is a partial list in no particular order off the top of my head :
way steel, gibs - $35 shaft stock - $15 ram blank - $20 (2) motor - $25 (surplus 2 hp DC) motor control - $25 (sub for countershaft ass'y) hardware - $ 25 (threaded rod, bolts, shaft collars) bearings - $ 10 (various temporary pieces included) patterns - $ 10 ('free' wood, screws, sandpaper, glue)
This does not include aluminum (which I scrounge), fuel ($2 per casting average), or any other casting related expenses (you'll need various flasks, sand, and of course a furnace).
The cost in time ? I'm not sure I can count that high. Put it this way, my motivation for the last year or so comes from thinking that once this damned lathe is done (97%) I can get at the shaper, and once that's done, the amount of file work on rough castings will decrease enormously !
> The cost in dollars will be minimal. But you will spend hundreds of hours on > this quest. > IF you have the time and the sticktoitivity it takes, GO FOR IT.
> Erich
> Adam Ross wrote in message <36B925EF.D2B69...@netgsi.com>... > >I am interested in finding out how to make a lathe. I have heard of the > >Gingery book on > >this subject, and would like to know if this is the best. Also, what is > >the approximate cost > >of such an undertaking? thanks
Dave, You're to be commended for this breakdown. This is the first REAL cost study on the cast-and-machine-it lathes I've see on the NG. When you factor in cost of flasks, foundry equipment, including sand and cost of the Gingery book, you must be talking a real investment of at least $400! Still not horrible for a 5" swing lathe, but miles away from the next-to-nothing hype. Of course you can't discount the satisfaction . . . except at the bank. I'd still be interested in at least taking a gander (buying the book[s]), but I'd be going into it with eyes WIDER open. Bob T ***
> I'll try to guantify things a bit. For materials only, I have spent > perhaps $200 CAD on the Gingery Lathe. Here is a partial list in > no particular order off the top of my head :
> This does not include aluminum (which I scrounge), > fuel ($2 per casting average), or any other casting > related expenses (you'll need various flasks, sand, > and of course a furnace).
> The cost in time ? I'm not sure I can count that high. > Put it this way, my motivation for the last year or so > comes from thinking that once this damned lathe is done (97%) > I can get at the shaper, and once that's done, the amount > of file work on rough castings will decrease enormously !
> dave
> Kathy and Erich Coiner wrote:
> > The cost in dollars will be minimal. But you will spend hundreds of hours on > > this quest. > > IF you have the time and the sticktoitivity it takes, GO FOR IT.
> > Erich
> > Adam Ross wrote in message <36B925EF.D2B69...@netgsi.com>... > > >I am interested in finding out how to make a lathe. I have heard of the > > >Gingery book on > > >this subject, and would like to know if this is the best. Also, what is > > >the approximate cost > > >of such an undertaking? thanks
On Sat, 06 Feb 1999 12:14:17 -0800, Bob & Marilyn Tonkins
<btonk...@cmc.net> wrote: >Dave, > You're to be commended for this breakdown. This is the first REAL cost >study on the cast-and-machine-it lathes I've see on the NG. When you >factor in cost of flasks, foundry equipment, including sand and cost of >the Gingery book, you must be talking a real investment of at least >$400! Still not horrible for a 5" swing lathe, but miles away from the >next-to-nothing hype. >Of course you can't discount the satisfaction . . . except at the bank. >I'd still be interested in at least taking a gander (buying the >book[s]), but I'd be going into it with eyes WIDER open. >Bob T >***
Sounds like another proof of the law of conservation of free lunches (which states that the number of free lunches is constant, & the value of the constant is zero).
> > Dave, > > You're to be commended for this breakdown........ > ......but miles away from the > > next-to-nothing hype.
> Yes, well, to be honest, it has really cost me around $10 per month > : ) > ....... on the carriage (I'll bring that monthly > payment down yet).
Well it is Yours, and I assume paid for. What more could you ask. Lot of value in that thought.... Congratulations, you've got something many of us don't, stick-to-it ness. Me, I just read about it and look at Joe Lawton's at PRIME...
> Dave, > You're to be commended for this breakdown. This is the first REAL cost > study on the cast-and-machine-it lathes I've see on the NG. When you > factor in cost of flasks, foundry equipment, including sand and cost of > the Gingery book, you must be talking a real investment of at least > $400! Still not horrible for a 5" swing lathe, but miles away from the > next-to-nothing hype.
Yes, well, to be honest, it has really cost me around $10 per month : )
And it's a 7.1" swing, at least mine is. Perhaps 13" c-c.
And tonight it did its first ever turning between centers, the bell cap for the tailstock. Worked out very nicely too. The tailstock bore is 0.750" (I now own a nice reamer BTW, $30 tooling ...) and the cap ended up 0.748". Good enough, considering the poor machine has no hand wheels on the carriage (I'll bring that monthly payment down yet).
