Recent content by Duncan K

Ordered some 5/8 insert tool holders. Had to take .150 off the tool post to get them on centreline. Made a few test cuts, so far so good. I have a new endless belt ordered from Norwesco that should quiet things down.

Very cool! A bead roller is high on my list of tools to get

I will check that out tomorrow!

Got the VFD and switch mounted, ran new power from the panel and got everything wired up. It sure is nice to have the speed control with the turn of a knob! The alligator clip connector for the belt makes a ton of noise coming over the top pulley. I think I might increase the diameter of that...

Thanks John, they are all very good videos. Wish I had Keith's press, what an awesome set up.

I ended up just making a boring bar to hold a 1/4" HSS. I set it up in the mill and it worked really well. I tries to straighten the crossed screw in the press but I think it ended up worse. I will have to cut the end off and make a new one.

Thanks Peter, I'll make some calls tomorrow

I had thought about that too. I need to find a boring bar that takes 1/4 HSS. Busy Bee is the only place local that lists them but they are out of that size. I might try to make one. VFD comes in on monday so I'd like to have this pulley mounted and ready to go

Got the new 5 HP motor mounted and turned a pulley for it. Decided to make it 50% of the spindle pulley size. Now I just have to figure out how to machine a keyway into it. Most of the broach sets I have looked at only cut up to 2 1/2". The key way in the shaft is only 2" long so maybe it will...

Took 2 attempts but I got this part made. I removed the old motor and gear box assembly. Had to use my engine hoist to lift it off. Started to mock up for the new motor and pulley.

I just posted a thread in the Active Projects section. Just started working on cleaning it up and getting it working

I had been looking to replace my little Southbend 9" with something a little bigger and with a few more features like power cross feed and a quick change gear box. This 18" McDougall lathe was quite a bit bigger than what I was looking for but had everything I wanted and the price was right. I...

Yes 18" swing, bed length is about 6 feet between centers give or take. Over all the lathe is 11 feet long

It’s a four speed gearbox, I don’t remember the ratios. It’s the same as the one seen here https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/lathe-auto-drive-gearbox-dominion-oil-change-and-running.73797/

My plan is to get rid of the gear box and run directly belt driven off the motor. I’ll make the pulley off the motor the same size as the the small step on spindle and use the VFD to control the speed and display the RPM. I will probably try out the 5 HP but buy a VFD rated for 10 in case I need...