Sherline lathe for watchmaking?
Elbert
WW 8mm collets for use on this lathe, but is it accurate enough for
watchmaking? For example, has anyone ever tried turning a balance
staff on this lathe?
I would love to hear all and any opinions. I understand its a great
lathe (along with Taig) for clockmaking.
Sam Elbert
The Baron
The concept of, any lathe used with collets, would normally be accurate
enough for watch or clock work. The TIR for a collet would be .0001'', or
so (less than .001''). This takes into account the use of a graver for
cutting and not much accuracy needed for tailstock work.
The daily use of one of these ''model makers'' lathes, tends to wear them
out in about 10 years, not long lived. If this criteria meets your needs
then this is the lathe for you.
A used WW lathe is just much cheaper, than a Sherline, if you only need to
do collet work.
I would not consider the Taig lathe much of a lathe, it's just cheap.
"Elbert" <sam.25...@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message
news:725583c9.03122...@posting.google.com...
Elbert
> This thread, along with another, ''Lathe Question'', could be combined.
> The concept of, any lathe used with collets, would normally be accurate
> enough for watch or clock work. The TIR for a collet would be .0001'', or
> so (less than .001''). This takes into account the use of a graver for
> cutting and not much accuracy needed for tailstock work.
Hi Baron,
What's "TIR"? I'm ignorant and all ears to learn.
Sam
The Baron
could say ''out of round''.
"Elbert" <sam.25...@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message
news:725583c9.03122...@posting.google.com...
Stan Stocker
Elbert wrote:
Hi Sam,
Depending on who is defining it, it's either Total Indicator Reading or
Total Indicated Runout. If you clock the surface or a shaft held in a
collet and the needle moves 0.0005 when you slowly rotate the spindle
through 360 degrees, you have 0.0005 TIR.
Cheers,
Stan
The Baron
"Stan Stocker" <skst...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:F_iIb.8838$Vv2.3...@news1.news.adelphia.net...
Elbert
Stan, Baron, Thanks for the excellent information.
When you refer to Total Indicator Reading, what "Indicator" arre you
referring to. Up to now my experience has strictly been with
watchmaker's lathes and not with regular ones. I assume what you are
saying is your way of measuring how out of round the head on your
lather is when using (for example) a three jaw chuck that is supposed
to automatically center, which would also apply to a collet. What tool
or instrument do you use? Any recommendations of books for a
watchmaker who wants to learn how to use a regular lathe?
Baron, another question for you. You mentioned that you did not
consider the Sherline a good clockmaker's lathe. What would you
consider to be adequate?
Sam Elbert
The Baron
magnetic base and stand. It can also be placed in the compound. The back
of the dial gauge(0 to.100'' or metric)has a spring loaded plunger that
makes contact with the work being held in the lathe. When the lathe is
turned by hand the plunger moves in and out, and indicates how much out of
round the work might be. Most essential for work held in a 4 jaw chuck.
Most lathes are not out of round but the holding fixtures are never quite
correct, especially 3 jaw chucks. A new, good quality 3 jaw chuck comes
with a .002'' to .003'' error. The exception would be very good collets.
There are some German and English lathes that fall into the category of
''clockmakers lathe'' also could be called instrument lathe/mill.
Schaublin, Aciera and Myford are most popular and very expensive compared to
Sherline.
The quality of the tool reflects how much you might use the tool, how much
accuracy you need and how many times you want to buy the tool. A Sherline,
Unimat, Taig and other model makers lathes will ''wear out'', with daily
use, in about 10 years. Ask me how I know this. Of course for the price,
you can just buy another and sell the old one on ebay, perhaps that's why
these lathes on ebay in the first place.
For my ''clockmakers'' lathe I am currently using an Emco Compact 5. As I
am a senior this will most likely be my last lathe. I anticipate the use
of it for about 8 more years, it will then be too sloppy for clock work but
can be used for other things.
"Elbert" <sam.25...@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message
news:725583c9.03123...@posting.google.com...
Elbert
> The instrument is usually called a dial indicator and is usually held with a
> magnetic base and stand. It can also be placed in the compound. The back
> of the dial gauge(0 to.100'' or metric)has a spring loaded plunger that
> makes contact with the work being held in the lathe.
Thank you for a very useful reply, which has been of help to me.
Sam Elbert
The Baron
know-it-all, wouldn't want to change their opinion.
"Elbert" <sam.25...@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message
news:725583c9.03123...@posting.google.com...
Elbert
> Don't tell anyone else. Some on this newsgroup think I'm an arrogant
> know-it-all, wouldn't want to change their opinion.
>
> >
> > Thank you for a very useful reply, which has been of help to me.
> >
> > Sam Elbert
The internet seems to be rife with people who can't stand anyone with
a bit of knowledge and want to pull everyone down to their level.
Speaking for myself, after 25 years as a watchmaker, I find that I'm
just beginning to scrape the surface, and grateful to anyone who helps
me learn more.
BTW, I looked up the lathe manufacturers you recommended for
clockmaking lathes and found to my surprise that Aciera (sic?) is now
made in Indonesia, having been bought out by a large tool maker there.
It would be wonderful if they were maintaining Swiss precision levels,
but had Indonesian prices. This may be in the realm of possibility,as
the main business of this firm is manufacturing trucks and buses.
Sam Elbert
The Baron
have problems with the finish of their products and to a larger extent, an
almost total lack of ''quality'' control.
The construction material is usually there but some units should be
considered ''kit'' form.
I don't know about very knowledgeable but have been repairing clocks for
over 35 years. Sometimes the questioner wants an answer within a few
minutes after asking. And if the ''magic bullet'' answer, does not agree
with their preconceived idea of what the answer should be, then they become
angry. Go figure. I never stop learning or trying to learn.
"Elbert" <sam.25...@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message
news:725583c9.04010...@posting.google.com...
Alistair Ross
for instrument,watch and clockmaking. I used to work in Clerkenwell (30
years ago) and it seemed as if every business had one of these lathes in a
back room. Are these lathe companies still in business?
ttfn.......Alistair
"The Baron" <theb...@flash.net> wrote in message
news:IA4Jb.814$CY5...@newssvr16.news.prodigy.com...
The Baron
"Alistair Ross" <a...@eng.cam.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:bte65h$j15$1...@pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk...
Elbert
> "Alistair Ross" <a...@eng.cam.ac.uk> wrote in message
> news:bte65h$j15$1...@pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk...
> > For whats it worth Lorch, Boley and PTA all used to make superb small
> lathes
> > for instrument,watch and clockmaking. I used to work in Clerkenwell (30
> > years ago) and it seemed as if every business had one of these lathes in a
> > back room. Are these lathe companies still in business?
Sadly enough, most of the German lathe makers are out of business.
Boley was bought by a Japanese firm, and stopped making watchmaker's
lathes.Schraublin, a fine Swiss maker, ran into financial difficulties
and was rescued by a Swiss consortium, but has stopped making
watchmaker's lathes also. However, they still make very fine quality
watch collets.
All of the well known American lathe making firms, such as Levin,
still exist, but have stopped making watchmaker's lathes too. Levin
now makes ultra high precision lathes for the micro precision
industry.
Sam Elbert
randee
seen one of their lathes in a long time, although we used to have one
years ago in one of the labs.
--
wf.
Elbert
> Hardinge perhaps?? I didn't realize Levin was still around, I haven't
> seen one of their lathes in a long time, although we used to have one
> years ago in one of the labs.
> --
They even have an internet site
Sam