Monday 13 October 2003

7x14 Minilathe Arrives

New lathe arrived recently - it is a 7x14 with more powerful motor and a digital tacho. Pretty good out of the box - I've had to replace the crosslide and compound gibs and I put a bronze bearing in the compound feedscrew - both are now smooth as silk.


Front view a couple of days after I unpacked, cleaned off the ubiquitous red grease and bolted it to the bench that used to be a baby change table. The baby in question now no longer needs it and even when he did need it he rarely lay on it quietly or still...


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I put a back on the bench so everything is in easy reach - I have been making some chips and it performs very well after a bit of TLC.


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I replaced the cross-slide and compound gibs as the factory gibs were too small and rotated under pressure from the gibscrews. The new gibs fill the gap much closer and are made of brass.


This shot is a of the setup on the mill using the slide to hold the gib whilst machining.


I also remachined the dove tails in the compound slide as they were not parallel and the slide would bind at one end.


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In this shot you can see the new gibs and a carriage lock ala Vicky Ford.


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Replacement tool holder adjustable for height.


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Another tool holder for a 3/32"x1/2" cutoff tool.


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Monday 8 September 2003

Taig Mill Arrives

Here are some pics of my new Taig Mill.


Taig mill from front - note the vice is 3" - wouldn't want to go any bigger, but 2" would be too small.


Motor is the same motor and speed control as found in the 7xMiniLathes - works a treat.


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Close-up of motor and you can get an idea of the overhang of the vice from this shot.


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Taig Lathe

Taig (www.taigtools.com) make a really nice little lathe.

Front on picture of Lathe. Note clear chip guard. Also replaced stock carriage feed stop with combination x-axis DRO with stop integrated. I made a quick change toolholder, but I am not happy with it and intend to make another when I get around to it.

The tailstock ram feed attachment is covered [here].



Sliding motor mount - tightened and loosened by screw. Got the idea off www.cartertools.com

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