Wanting to learn how to run a lathe...Books? Update PICs

Republic of Alberta

Republic of Alberta

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
25   0   0
Location
,location, location
I have decided that I want to learn some stuff about lathes and how to run one. I knew absolutely nothing about them, not even the basic parts that make up a lathe.... So I have spent the past week or so looking on the Internet trying to pick up the very basics. I have learned a thing or two but obviously still know nothing. I would like to get some books on the subject. I am going to order the South bend "How to run a lathe" book. Seems to be the one recommended to newbies quite often. Any more recommendations for this type of book, maybe even a little more advanced?

My intentions are hobby gunsmithing of course... but more importantly to see if apprenticing to be a machinist could be a new career for me. I would like to gain some knowledge first, then try it to see if I have the skill.
 
Last edited:
Not sure where you're located but last fall I took a "Intro to Machining - Lathe" at SAIT.

I'd never used a lathe before but I learnt a few new things and made a little project.

I'm planning on next taking a Gunsmith'ish course at SAIT to rebarrel and true up and action.
 
I don't think I would be able to pull off an actual course. I work a 10 on 4 off shift at my current job so getting time off to go to the city won't happen. The good news is that I am "semi-retired" (at least that is what I call it;)) and only work 6 hours a day but am on call 24 hours a day. So there is lots of spare time for self teaching.
 
I guess I should add that I will be buying a lathe to actually learn the basics on. Something small and cheap like a 12x36 so if I don't have the skill, or can't manage the knowledge, at least it can sit in the garage no harm no fowl....and I am out what $4000???? some of which is recoverable if I sell the lathe and tooling.


And to think I worked at a job for 10 years that had a some type of big American tool room lathe sitting in the shop completely unused! I could have learned so much... and on a good machine too. Oh well.
 
Last edited:
you'll want a mill afterwards. Trust me I know. :)
If you can find a mentor or someone to show you the basics that would be a huge asset. You could buy a decent lathe then start off with soft materials to practice with @ first. Its all about machine time, your not going to get any better if you don't use it. Its a very rewarding hobby that is always useful in some way. Have fun and be safe.

Robert:)
 
Last edited:
I'd suggest taking a college night course, or at least buying a used or old version of the textbook for one to see if you'd like it. You're ok with math right?

There are alot of people on the forums with dusty hobby lathes that never really get used, and never get sold because they'll get around to learning how to use it properly "someday".
 
Brownell's, Busy Bee, House of tools all have books on using the lathe. Also Home Machinist and a few other magazines are good, as well as Guy Luatard's Bedside Machinist books. Some schools or collages offer a hobby course for machining as well.
 
How to Run a Lathe, by South Bend Lathe Co. Older, but perfectly usable information can be got from the brand new reprint of this publication, sold by Lee Valley. Called How to Run a Metalworking Lathe. About $10. Can be downloaded from many places about the web, if reading books on a computer screen does not bother you.

The Amateurs Lathe by Sparey. British. English as another language, kind of issues (terminology stuff) but very very good. Lots of pictures. Aimed at the Model Engineer, the Brit version of a Home Shop Machinist. Lots of good set-ups and other info that will allow you to understand what can be accomplished with less than 'perfect' tooling.

Technology of Machine Tools, by Krar and Check. A standard senior High School /Junior College level shop text. Excellent. You don't need the newest edition. Check the used book stores. About $75 new. Covers a lot of stuff!

Busy Bee and House of Tools both stock some of the same series of books, from the Workshop Practice series.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Workholding-Lathe-Workshop-Practice-Tubal/dp/0852429088

I can heartily recommend Workholding in the Lathe, Milling operations in the Lathe, and you will probably do worse things than spend the $20 or so on these books at retail.

Screwcutting in the Lathe covers making threads, and is about half useful info, the rest charts of gear combinations for different pitch leadscrews. Worth having a close look at before you decide you want it or not.

Have not read the Lathework, A Complete Course, but Harold Hall is a decent shop writer.

Again, britspeak rears it's head, and if you are able to follow some of the small differences, the information is pure gold!

Where are you in AB? PM if you want.

In Edmonton, there is a group of metalwork hobbyists that gets together once a month to BS and have a coffee. If that's your neighborhood, I can PM you some contact details.

That's a short list of books I recommend!

Cheers
Trev
 
Learning to run a lathe

Southbend published a decent introductory book back a half century ago. It is still available, and if you search on EBay For SouthBend "running a lathe" they are usually there for a few bucks. Decent basic introduction if you cannot get away for some hands on training (which would be recomended) Good luck with the venture, and remember........."lots of patience" and "lots of thinking"
(Didn't mean to step on your post trevJ...........your post came in as I was typing mine.)
 
Republic of Alberta said:
I have decided that I want to learn some stuff about lathes and how to run one. I knew absolutely nothing about them, not even the basic parts that make up a lathe.... So I have spent the past week or so looking on the Internet trying to pick up the very basics. I have learned a thing or two but obviously still know nothing. I would like to get some books on the subject. I am going to order the South bend "How to run a lathe" book. Seems to be the one recommended to newbies quite often. Any more recommendations for this type of book, maybe even a little more advanced?

My intentions are hobby gunsmithing of course... but more importantly to see if apprenticing to be a machinist could be a new career for me. I would like to gain some knowledge first, then try it to see if I have the skill.
Click to expand...

I have picked up quite a number of good used technical college/apprentice training books on this and similar subjects at

1) City of Edmonton Public Library annual book sale,
2) Edmonton Symphony book sale (they have 10's of 1000's of books)
3) Value Village
4) various used bookstores - not Wee Book Inn or some of the specialty academic ones.
5) Salvation Army shops.
6) NAIT library

Believe it or not, people throw these things away.

I've also gotten a number of good books from Lindsay Technical Publications. They're on the 'net.

There is also a small group of people in Edmonton called the "Edmonton Metalworkers Guild". It's a pretty loose group - no dues, no rules, no regular meetings. They used to meet in the coffee shop of the big truck stop up by Yellowhead Trail and 170 St. They include machinists as well as metal casters.

I'll see if I can find any contact info and if so, will PM it to you.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, check your local library.

Also you didn't mention buying "The Amatuer's Lathe" by Sparey. That is a must have. It covers the basics that you're after and does so in a way that you'll be going back to it often during your first few weeks of using your first lathe.

While the internet has some nice little hints and tricks here and there I have yet to see anything that covers the entire topic from stem to stern. It requires a book or four to do a subject like this justice in all the areas that need to be covered.

It's odd to hear someone call a 12x36 lathe "small" anywhere outside of a heavy equipment shop. A 12 x 36 is far from small. However it is a size that you'll enjoy using since it won't ever come up as too small for 99% of gunsmithing operations. I've got a 12 x 36 of my own and it's been a delight to use for over 15 years now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom