We create a home workshop with the necessary tools: a metal lathe for the home. Desktop lathes for metal Features and benefits of desktop lathes

13.11.2021

Metal parts are constantly required to repair a machine. It's good if the model is common - you can buy it. If the car is rare, you have to either wait a long time until it is delivered, or order production. In this case, you can purchase a lathe for the garage. If you have experience, you can use it for a side job.

What types of lathes are suitable for private use

There are nine types of lathes in total, but not all are needed in the garage. Most often, private traders can see small screw-cutting lathes. Along with the processing of parts (grinding, drilling, milling, drilling radial holes, etc.), they perform various types of threading and taper turning. It is such a lathe for the garage that they are trying to buy - it covers almost all the needs of car owners.

They are produced in two types - desktop and with a bed (floor). Desktop - small, lightweight (up to 200 kg) machines. It is easier for them to find a place in the garage. The disadvantage is that large and heavy parts cannot be processed on them. One more point: due to their small mass, they are not always able to produce high processing accuracy.

Floor lathes (usually school lathes) have a much larger weight and dimensions. For normal operation, a separate foundation must be made for them. Installation on vibration dampers is possible, but they are not easy to find.

Lathe device

In order to choose a lathe, it is desirable to know its structure, purpose, functions and possible parameters of each of the parts. First, let's take a look at the main nodes.

These are the main components of the lathe. It makes sense to take a closer look at complex units, since the capabilities and operation of the equipment depend on their performance.

Stanina

Most often these are two parallel massive metal beams / webs, connected by crossbars to give greater rigidity. The caliper and tailstock move along the bed. For this purpose, guide rails are machined on the bed. The tailstock moves along flat guides, the caliper moves along prismatic ones. Prismatic tailstock guides are very rare.

Bed for a lathe for metal - factory and homemade

When choosing a used machine, pay attention to the condition of the slide and the smooth movement of parts along them.

Headstock (spindle)

The headstock in modern lathes, most often, combines a part holder and a device for changing the spindle speed. There are several types of speed control - by moving the levers to a certain position, using a regulator.

The control of the regulator with a smooth change in the rotation speed is carried out on the basis of microprocessor control. In this case, there is a liquid crystal display on the headstock housing, which displays the current speed.

The main part of the headstock is the spindle, which on the one hand is connected to the electric drive pulley, on the other it has a thread onto which the chucks are screwed to hold the workpiece. The accuracy of turning work directly depends on the condition of the spindle. There should be no beats and backlashes in this unit.

Guitar gears - to transmit rotation and change its speed

In the headstock there is a system of changeable gears for transferring and changing rotation to the gearbox shaft. When choosing a lathe for a garage, pay attention to the condition of the gears and the absence of backlash in the spindle. The accuracy of workpieces processing depends on this.

Tailstock

The tailstock is movable - it moves along the guides on the bed. It is brought to the part, its position is adjusted, the quill rests against the part, holding it in the desired position, the position of the quill is fixed by turning the corresponding handle. After that, the position of the tailstock is fixed with another locking handle.

In some models, the tailstock is designed not only to support massive or long parts in a given direction, but also to process them.

To do this, on the quill, depending on the operations performed, the corresponding equipment is fixed - cutters, taps, drills. The additional center of the machine on the tailstock can be fixed or rotating. The rotating rear center is made on high-speed machines, for removing large chips, turning cones.

Support

The lathe support is a movable part on which tools for processing parts are attached. Thanks to the special design of this unit, the cutter can move in three planes. Horizontal movement is provided by guides on the bed, longitudinal and cross slide.

The position of the cutter relative to the surface of the machine (and the workpiece) is set by the rotary tool holder. In each of the planes there is a latch that ensures holding in a given position.

The tool holder can be single or multiple. The tool holder, most often, is made in the form of a cylinder with a side slot into which a tool is inserted, which is fixed with bolts. On simple machines, there is a special groove on the support, into which a recess is inserted on the lower part of the holder. This is how the cutting tool is fixed on the machine.

Garage lathe: parameters

First of all, you are determined with the mass and type of connection. When choosing a mass, you should not strive to find the lightest machine. Very light ones do not provide stability, they can vibrate during operation, which will affect the accuracy of work. Yes, it is problematic to install heavy machines, but installation is a single event, and you will have to work regularly. Therefore, weight is far from the most basic selection criterion.

Lathes that are too large cannot be installed in every garage, and small and medium-sized ones are an excellent choice.

The type of connection - single-phase or three-phase - is more important. And then, three-phase can be connected to 220 through special starters. From the electrical characteristics, the engine power is also important. The higher it is, the greater the rotation speed the lathe can develop. These are general points. There are also special ones:

The diameter of the workpiece that can be machined on the machine. Determined by the diameter of processing above the bed and above the slide.
The length of the workpiece. Depends on the course.
List of operations.
Maximum number of revolutions.
The adjustment method is smooth, stepwise.
Reverse capability.

The dimensions of the workpieces are directly related to the dimensions of the machine. So here you have to find a reasonable compromise. Usually you don't want to clutter up the garage too much, but you need to handle the dimensional details.

Micro and mini lathes

In order not to clutter up the garage, you can find mini or micro lathes. They are very small in size and light in weight. For example, a PROMA SM-250E micro-lathe for a garage has dimensions of 540 * 300 * 270 mm and a weight of 35 kg. It can process workpieces with a length of 210 mm and a diameter of 140 mm. Smooth speed control from 100 to 2000 rpm. Not so bad for this size.

Mini lathes - they belong in the garage

Despite its small size, it can perform the following operations:

turning surfaces,
threading;
drilling;
countersinking;
deployment.

Grinding of parts, knurling, tool sharpening are also possible. The basic operations, as you can see, are present. The disadvantage is that you cannot process at least some large parts on machines of this type, and the disadvantage of this particular model is the price. This lathe for a garage costs from $ 900.

In the same category there are Chinese JET BD-3 and JET BD-6 (price 500-600 $) and domestic CRATON MML-01 (price 900 $), Enkor Corvette 401 (650 $), German Optimum - from 1300 $ to 6000 $; Czech Proma - from $ 900,

Floor options

Here the choice is not so wide, because both prices and weight are much higher. There are several tried and tested models that you can install in your garage.

These are the so-called school machines - TV 4 (its improved version of TV 6), TV 7 and the desktop version of TV 16. With a mass of 280 kg (TV 4) and 400 kg of TV 7, it is desirable to have a separate foundation. If you just put it on a concrete floor, it will break it.

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In conditions of limited space for a home craftsman, it becomes the best option for a garage in the basic or extended configuration. There are a lot of manufacturers and modifications of equipment on the modern market. Therefore, below are the recommendations of specialists for choosing a mini-machine for metal turning.

Selection criteria, types

A metal lathe for a garage can save both the budget for operating a car, a backyard, and time. The search for small things that are necessary for repairs, construction, often take several days. If you have the equipment, all this can be made on your own. The main selection criteria are:

purchase budget - most often the basic equipment is purchased, additional functionality is purchased later, as needed, with sufficient funds it is better to choose a multifunctional (universal) machine right away;
dimensions - about the same for most manufacturers;
quality - it is not recommended to buy such equipment on order, better than a visual inspection, a trial run of purchase methods has not been invented;

On small machines, small workpieces are processed by default, so the accuracy must be appropriate. Spindle runout, lack of centering, cutter feed scale are not allowed.

There are several for use in a garage:

desktop - minimal functionality, some models do not include a tailstock;

school - various equipment, 2 step speeds with smooth adjustments inside each of them, reverse, weight within 200 kg;

screw-cutting lathe - minimum spindle runout, high price;

It is very difficult to be guided by the size of the workpieces that can be clamped in the chuck's jaws, placed between the centers of the headstock. The needs of each craftsman are different, from time to time it is required to process large parts or perform jewelry operations.

Specifications

A desktop-type garage metal lathe most often has the following operational characteristics:

power button - may be absent (for example, for the Corvette-2 model), rotation is switched on by a rheostat that regulates the speed
dimensions - length 1.2 - 1.7 m, width 0.5 - 0.6 m
weight - within 120 - 200 kg
workpiece diameter - 10 - 20 cm above the bed or 5 - 15 cm above the slide
center-to-center size of RMTs - 20 - 50 cm
drive power - 0.15 - 0.6 kW

Desktop device option

For a metal lathe for a garage, asynchronous or collector motors of 220 V are used. The designs of the speed control systems, the transmission of torque to the screw shafts of the support differ significantly from different firms. In some modifications, the reverse is switched by a lever, in others, to obtain reverse rotation, you have to throw the transmission belt.

Most lathes only cut metric and inch threads in one direction. Among domestic producers, the most popular are Domashny Master, Handyman, Caliber. All other products, regardless of the brand's homeland, are made in China - Optimum, Corvette, JET, Proma, DIY.

For example, the company "Enkor" produces turning and milling modifications of the Corvette 407, lathes Corvette 401 - 403. Automatic feed of the caliper is used only for threading, processing, roughing is carried out manually. The chuck is equipped with straight, reverse jaws, parts can be clamped without a chuck in the centers. The smallest of them (Corvette 401) is equipped with a 0.5 kW electric drive, a speed of 2,500 rpm, an electronic system that allows maintaining the same speed under any load. The through hole in the spindle allows you to machine 20 cm of workpieces.

Tabletop device for metal Corvette 401

Corvette 401

The machines of the Optimum company are equipped with motors of 0.5 - 1.5 kW, the RMC reaches 40 - 70 cm, the height of the centers is 7 - 14 cm. The homeland of the brand is Germany, 95% of production is concentrated in China. A feature of the equipment is an error of 0.025 mm and 0.01 mm (displacement, spindle runout, respectively).

Screw-cutting lathe for metal desktop company "Optimum"

table metal machine from Optimum

Weiss table lathes have the lowest possible vibration and sound pressure. The spindle rotates in roller bearings, after stopping the rotation, it is possible to automatically reverse to move the caliper. The tailstock has a longitudinal movement with fixing the position in space.

Weiss universal lathe in a garage

Weiss garage lathe

Related article:

... In the publication we will consider step-by-step instructions for making a machine tool with photos and videos, an overview of finished models, safety precautions when working on a machine.

When purchasing a metal lathe for a garage, you should pay attention to the following points:

manufacturer - the products of domestic firms are easier to operate, since there are more service centers, spare parts, consumables in the Russian Federation;
transmission type - belt or gear (the input shaft is always driven by a V-belt);
gear material - caprolon is preferable, which, unlike conventional plastics, does not crumble, but self-strengthens;
the presence of roller bearings on the spindle - provides high-precision machining;
type of guides - the resource of hardened elements of the machine is an order of magnitude higher, as well as the quality of processing;
rpm - usually 0 - 1500 in 1st gear, 0 - 2500 in 2nd gear;
the presence of several speeds - usually 1 or 2;
protective devices - some models are equipped with plexiglass casings, which fade over time, crack, reducing the view of the workpiece;
headstock - options with a through hole are preferable, allowing you to grind, cut threads on long parts.

An exact replica of a standard lathe, the benchtop machine is designed for the production of piece parts. There are also limitations on the dimensions of the workpieces to be processed. Its main advantage is functionality in a compact size, it is successfully used in small workshops, car services and amateurs. The small device allows for precise processing of metal, it is easy to operate, and there is a place for it even in the smallest room. Machines with CNC are designed for the production of small batches of the same type of parts and have found application in small businesses.

Classification of bench-top turning units

The main purpose of lathes is the processing of cylindrical and rounded parts. In the process of removing excess metal layers from the surface of the workpiece, it is given the required shape. The process is called turning. If a cavity inside the part is selected, boring is performed.

In industrial production, lathes of several modifications are used:

screw cutter;
revolving;
multi-spindle;
with CNC.

Mini lathes for the home belong to the universal (screw-cutting) type of equipment and are designed specifically for the manufacture of piece products or small batches. Screw-cutting lathes are able to perform a number of metalworking operations:

turning and boring of parts;
end-face processing;
scanning of through and blind holes;
threading;
making holes;
grooving grooves and grooves;
countersinking.

The functionality of the device can be expanded by purchasing additional devices, the range of which is quite large.

Design and principle of operation

The device of the mini device is practically no different from its "large" counterpart. The complexity of the design is due to the high requirements for the accuracy of the finished product and the quality of the processed materials.

The main parts of the machine: bed and support. The bed is the base for the rest of the nodes. The support is designed to fix and move the cutter in a precisely marked direction.

Before starting the machine, the part is fixed on the front rack (headstock) in the spindle, which receives movement from the electric motor. Control devices and a gearbox are also located here. The spindle is a cylindrical part with very precise geometry. Fitting belts for bearings are cut out on it. The latter are aligned with the mating grooves in the A-pillar. The spindle characteristics are largely responsible for the machining accuracy. The caliper is moved by transmission devices and a stroke shaft.

When turning elongated workpieces, the second end is supported by a back stand (headstock), where a center is provided for this purpose. Here you can also fix the cutter (tap, drill) for boring the end face. The rear post is a cast structure that moves along the base rails. For movement, a handle is provided, installed in a certain position, it fixes the headstock at the desired point. The transverse position of the tailstock is adjusted with a screw, which is used when it is necessary to align the centers (alignment) and turn workpieces in the form of a cone. Vibration is eliminated by using rests of various diameters.

The weight of a desktop device can be from 13 to 60 kg, with a power of about 500 watts. For comparison, the power of a semi-professional machine is at least 1000 W. It can handle the production of small batches of parts quite well. The mini lathe for the home is connected to a 220 V power supply, it works very quietly.

The defining characteristics of a metalworking machine are the maximum diameter and length of the workpiece. The length is determined by the distance between the centers. Typically, the diameter of a workpiece that can be turned on a bench-top lathe does not exceed 15 cm.

Fixtures for fastening parts

Depending on the shape of the workpiece, the following options for fixing it in the machine are used:

faceplate - for fastening workpieces of complex configuration or large dimensions. The disadvantage of this method of fixing is the complexity of fastening and centering the workpiece relative to the axis;
three- or four-jaw chuck - distinguish between hardened and soft;
collet chuck - convenient for fixing thin workpieces, for example, from a bar or clamping an already turned part;
drill chuck - does not withstand radial stresses, but it can clamp parts of a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Types of cutters for table lathes

Turning metal on the machine is carried out using cutters. There are several groups and types of incisors:

rough - for rough processing of the workpiece;
semi-finishing - with their help you can bring the part to readiness with average requirements for quality and accuracy;
finishing - these cutters are designed for fine work and final finishing, they remove the thinnest layer of metal.

The cutters also differ in the profile of the working edge. The most used are bore and boring. The first sharpen the outer contours of a cylindrical or conical blank. The latter are intended for sampling material from the inside. Threaded are designed for threading inside the part and outside. grind the end of the workpiece and cut off the finished part. They can also be used for transverse grooving.

Particularly complex shaped parts are cut out with shaped tools.

processing of cylindrical surfaces is carried out with a through-type cutter;
for reliable fixation in the machine, the end piece of the part is inserted into the chuck by 1 - 1.5 cm, the length of the finished product will be less than the workpiece by this amount, so the workpiece is taken with a margin;
Grooving is performed at a low rotational speed, without pressing hard on the cutter.

What parameters to consider when choosing

Weight and dimensions. Initially, it is assumed that the machine should be reasonably compact. Especially if you plan to work at home or in the garage. If the machine weighs about 100 kg, it is quite difficult to find a sturdy table or workbench for it. We'll have to make a special stand that will take up extra space.

Power supply parameters. Most desktop machines are connected to 220 V networks, but it is worth further clarifying this indicator, because it is expensive and technically difficult to bring a 380 V cable to an apartment.

Dimensions of the processed parts. Experienced craftsmen select machines with a center-to-center distance of about 40 cm. This is enough for most amateur work.

Machine power. Should be between 500 - 750 watts.

Electric motor type. Asynchronous electric motors are characterized by a longer service life before the first repair.

Limbo. Attention should be paid to the magnitude of the divisions of the limb. The smaller they are, the more accurate the machine will work.

Machine turnover and the presence of a reverse. All table-top lathes provide the ability to adjust the speed, this is understandable. The speed is selected depending on the type of metal and the nature of the processing. Some models are equipped with a reverse - this is a convenient option, which you can do without.

Possibility of additional equipment. We do not recommend investing in a highly specialized device. Many models come with various accessories to expand their capabilities. For others, you can choose the right rig. Often, having saved on the basic configuration, you can additionally purchase all the necessary accessories, as a result of which you will receive a multifunctional device.

When purchasing a machine, do the following:

check if the moving parts of the machine do not play;
run the equipment in several modes;
study turning accuracy as one of the most important selection parameters. If the machine is not accurate enough initially, it will be nearly impossible or very expensive to fix the problem.

Review of popular models

Quantum D140X250 Vario

The machine from a well-known German manufacturer is distinguished by a rich set: a garbage pallet, spare gears, a protective cover, a cartridge box. The instruction is attached in Russian. The engine power is 450 W, at a rotation speed of up to 2500 rpm and smooth speed control, electronic controller and reverse. Handles workpieces up to 25 cm long and 14 cm in diameter.

Proma SM-250E

Czech-made machine with excellent functionality and high-quality implementation. Can produce most types of metal processing, including reaming and threading. The device weighs only 23 kg and is easy to transport. Motor with a power of 230 W, with a rotation speed of no more than 2000 revolutions. Works with parts up to 14 cm in diameter and up to 25 cm in length.

Profi-350

The product of Chinese masters will not disappoint with quality and functionality. Engine power 350 V, rotation speed 3000 rpm, there is a reverse and smooth speed change. Differs in high accuracy of turning parts. Works with workpieces with a diameter of up to 18 cm. Supplemented with a variety of accessories that expand the capabilities of the device.

Corvette 400

Compact and inexpensive domestic-made machine. The power of the electric motor is 400 W, it works from a household power supply with workpieces up to 18 cm long.

JET BD-3

An excellent device from a Swiss manufacturer. The power consumption is 150 V at a spindle speed of up to 3800 revolutions. Works with workpieces up to 10 cm in diameter, up to 15 cm in length. Provides professional precision in processing parts. Weighs only 13 kg, but thanks to the special design of the housing, vibration is completely excluded. The legs are rubberized, so the device does not slide on a smooth surface. Longitudinal feed of the tool is carried out automatically.

The choice of a lathe is a purely individual matter. When choosing it, it is necessary to take into account, first of all, the purpose in production. The dimensions and weight of the machine itself depend on the number of operations that are supposed to be performed on it, the size of the workpieces in diameter and length. Choosing a machine for large batches of production of the same type of parts, it is better to choose a CNC machine with a multi-spindle head, if the part needs to be processed with several cutters at once.

General view of a screw-cutting lathe with DRO

Universal machines with the ability to process one or several cutters at the same time are classified as light and medium-weight machines. When choosing a lathe for a workshop for the repair of equipment of an enterprise or a garage for a car fleet, it is better to opt for universal metal equipment with manual or semi-automatic control. When manufacturing parts from bars, it is necessary to measure the diameter of the spindle bore with the diameter required for the production of bar parts.

To choose a reliable lathe, you need to pay attention to the material and method of fastening the guides of the bed, it serves not only as a box for attaching the headstock, guitar, apron, but its transverse guides are used to move mechanisms directly involved in the work process along them. The more reliable, massive and stable the bed, the less vibrations and the higher the accuracy of the machine.

Machine selection video

When working on metal, the guides of the machine are subjected to strong loads, so the bed must be made of very strong metal, mainly cast iron. The fastening of the rails to the uprights can be done by bolting or welding. This does not affect the structural rigidity of a large role, but the bolted connection will have to be checked more often.

In the organization of the workplace, the curbstones play an important role, but their main purpose is to ensure that the bed stands on them without distortions, which can lead to the subsequent rejection of products. For short machines up to 1 ton, the weight of the pedestals can be 2. For longer and wider lathes that work metal, the pedestals can be 3 or 4.

Not all car workshops need large multi-purpose machines. For example, in a tire service for grinding bolts and nuts for attaching disks to car hubs, a desktop machine may well satisfy the needs of a workshop for metal threading or turning to replace worn parts with new ones.

Choosing a desktop lathe

Home craftsmen and car enthusiasts who independently manufacture metal parts are more interested in a desktop machine that can be used at home, in a garage or anywhere else, because it is easy to transport. It should be noted that there are machines weighing about 200 kg and costing about $ 4000 on the market of turning equipment among desktop machines. It is unlikely that this metal machine will be appropriate for installation in a home workshop or garage. First of all, when choosing a desktop machine, you need to pay attention to such characteristics as:

connection method;
required mains voltage;
diameter and length of the workpiece that can be processed on this machine.

It is obligatory to check the absence of backlash of the quill and other moving parts.

For home use as well as for a repair shop, a universal metal cutting machine is required. The narrow specialization of home equipment is not very effective, you can never know in advance what metal work will be required in the process of repairing plumbing, home heating systems or household appliances.

The versatility of the machine does not depend on its appearance, but on the number of possible independent upgrades with the help of special turning devices, regardless of whether they are included with the machine or they can be purchased separately.

A machine equipped with all sorts of devices will cost more, but it is not a fact that all the gadgets will be needed in the work. It is easier to buy a cheaper model with the ability to self-equip with the necessary devices that will be useful for performing certain metal operations.

The main thing when choosing any lathe is to make sure:

that at all speeds declared by the manufacturer, it works flawlessly, without interruptions;
make sure that there are no backlashes of all moving parts;
the accuracy of the tasks, which is directly related to the first two.

Buying a deliberately inaccurate machine in the hope of self-revision is not the best way out. It is difficult to search for a desktop machine made in Russia or in European countries. According to the orders of our companies, most often bench-top machines are assembled in China, which does not make them worse. Domestic assembly of machine tools is more about industrial turning equipment.

Industrial turning equipment has a wide range of weight, specialization and other parameters. How to choose it correctly, each production technologist determines for himself. The general requirements are the required accuracy of the turning equipment and productivity.

For the "handy" home craftsman, a desktop lathe for processing metal blanks is the ultimate dream. With its help, the missing parts of the mechanisms being repaired are made, threads are cut, corrugated or bored. For some, a universal mechanism opens up new horizons for creativity or a hobby. For others, there is an additional way to replenish the family budget. Unfortunately, the cost of factory equipment in most cases leaves the dream of a complete home workshop unrealized. However, the desire to have a lathe at home can be easily fulfilled if you make one yourself. We will tell you more about one of these structures, giving you the opportunity to build a lathe with your own hands.

Purpose and capabilities

A modern lathe is a symbiosis of mechanical parts and electronic components

The basic functions of any modern mechanism, be it a simple manual meat grinder or a coal miner, provide rotating parts that would not be possible to manufacture without lathes. A feature of these units is the processing of bodies of revolution by cutting. Lathe machines provide manufacturing precision unattainable for other metalworking methods. Equipment of this type lends itself easily to automation and allows you to perform the following operations:

longitudinal turning of a smooth or stepped cylindrical surface;
processing of ledges and grooves;
turning of external and internal conical surfaces;
boring of tapered and cylindrical holes;
threading (internal or external) with a cutter or drill;
reaming and countersinking of holes;
grooving or cutting off;
shaped turning;
knurling of a corrugated surface.

The main purpose of lathes is the processing of three types of parts - shafts, bushings and disks, as a result of which various axes, flywheels, liners, blanks of sprockets, etc. are obtained. In addition, other blanks with the shape of bodies of revolution are processed on universal units, for example , body parts.

Screw-cutting lathes are the most popular design among DIYers

All existing lathes are distinguished:

on the basis of the lathe (turret lathe, boring lathe, multi-cutter lathes, etc. - only nine subgroups);
size range, which depends on the diameter of the workpiece;
degrees of specialization (special, universal, etc.);
accuracy class.

The most popular for repetition at home are screw-cutting lathes, which have the simplest design among the units presented above.

Design

Although the first lathes of the lathe group appeared at the end of the 18th century, their architecture was so perfect that it has not undergone significant changes until now. We can say that today we use equipment similar to that which was used for metalworking two centuries ago.

Screw-cutting lathe design

A metal lathe consists of the following units and parts:

The bed, which is the basis for all other elements. The accuracy of processing and the versatility of the device depend on the strength and scrupulousness of its manufacture. The body part of the machine must be a massive, fundamental structure. This is the only way to avoid vibrations and tool misalignment during turning operations.
Headstock headstock. This unit allows you to fix the workpiece and rotate it during processing. Often, the headstock includes a gearbox and a carriage or machining head feed mechanism. This allows the rotation speed of the part to be varied and increases productivity.
Tailstock. This element is designed to hold the part in a given coordinate system, coaxial with the spindle. In addition, the tool attached to the tailstock allows additional operations such as threading.
Caliper. Without a doubt, this unit is one of the most important in the design of the machine. The support is designed to hold the cutting tool and move it relative to the workpiece being processed. Depending on the design, the support can feed the cutter in different planes, which makes it possible to obtain parts with a complex configuration of the inner and outer surfaces. The main requirements that are imposed on the slide are the reliability of the tool retention and the accuracy of the feed, since this is directly related to the quality of processing.

When making a homemade lathe, the design is simplified as much as possible. For this, elements that are problematic to make at home are modified, and some of the nodes are completely abandoned. For example, a gearbox can be replaced with several pulleys of different sizes, and the automatic feeding can be excluded from the scheme.

What is needed for manufacturing

The ideal option when making a homemade lathe would be to use separate components from decommissioned equipment. If this is not possible, then you will have to make the units and parts yourself.

Instead of a cast frame, a frame welded from steel shaped pipes and corners is used. It goes without saying that a wooden frame in this case is an unacceptable option. The metal profile will be able to provide the required rigidity and stability of the structure. In addition, with the help of flat square and rectangular pipes, it is not difficult to adhere to the strict geometry of the frame. An uneven frame will not make it possible to correctly fix the centers, which will further affect the quality of the work carried out.

Low-power induction motor is an excellent power unit for a DIY construction

You will need a power unit for the drive. It is best to use a low-speed, induction-type electric motor. In contrast to collector units, "asynchronous units" are practically not subject to the risk of breakdown with a sharp decrease in speed.

For processing workpieces with a diameter of no more than 100 mm, an electric motor with a power of 500 - 1000 W will be sufficient. If you plan to grind larger parts, you will need at least a 1.5-kilowatt power unit.

In addition, you will have to choose a drive belt (or several belts of different lengths). Do not forget about the fasteners with which the individual units will be attached to the body. For a homemade lathe, nuts and bolts with a diameter of 8 and 10 mm with a regular metric thread are suitable.

Parts turned from a steel bar with subsequent hardening are used as a slide, but the best option would be guides made from shock absorbers or long shafts of industrial mechanisms. They have excellent geometry, and their surface is hardened in the factory.

The tailstock, like the spindle, is best used from retired factory equipment.

The tailstock can also be made from shaped pipes and a thick metal sheet, but the quill is made from a hardened pointed bolt, several nuts with the same thread and a steering wheel made from a pulley from agricultural machinery. The use of a homemade quill will require each time the part is fastened to lubricate the contacting surfaces with lithol or grease. A similar procedure is not needed with a factory-made revolving center, so if possible, it is better to buy this part.

The longitudinal and transverse feed screws can also be turned on a lathe, or you can use a long, threaded bar that you can buy at construction hypermarkets.

For the feed screws, a shaft with a fine thread is used - this will significantly increase the positioning accuracy of the working tool.

For rotation units, you will need rolling bearings installed in the housing, and pulleys of various diameters mounted on the drive shaft will allow you to adjust the speed. These parts can be bought or ordered from a familiar turner.

Making a caliper will require stocking up on a steel plate, at least 8mm thick. It can also be used for a tool holder.

Another unit that cannot be made in artisanal conditions is the spindle. You have to buy it. The spindle mount requires the manufacture of a shaft on which the driven pulleys will be mounted. The durability of this part must be flawless, so it is best to use parts from retired factory movements.

There are designs in which there is no belt drive. Rotation from the motor shaft is transmitted directly to the spindle. Of course, they have a right to exist, however, choosing such a scheme, be prepared for frequent failure of the motor bearings.

In addition to the lathe, in the process of work you will need the following tools and equipment:

welding machine;
Bulgarian;
grinding and emery machine;
electric drill and a set of drills for metal;
taps and dies for threading;
set of wrenches;
vernier caliper, metal ruler;
marker.

All these tools and materials will make it possible to make a full-fledged table-type lathe. If you failed to get some parts, do not despair - for a while they can be replaced with something else. So, the chuck from the electric drill is quite used instead of the spindle if you need to process small workpieces.

Dimensions and Drawings

When determining the dimensions of the machine, first of all, they are guided by the maximum length and diameter of the processed parts. Recall that in industry, low-power turning equipment has the following boundary parameters:

length - up to 1150 mm;
width - up to 620 mm;
the distance from the top surface of the bed to the spindle axis (axis height) is about 180 mm.

It is hardly worth exceeding these values on handicraft equipment. Do not forget that with an increase in size, the danger of bending the geometry of the machine increases manifold. When choosing the size of the caliper and determining the extreme points of its movement, calculating the distance between the centers and the limits of movement of the tool holder, it is best to focus on the drawings of home-made machines. Made by folk craftsmen, they have proven their efficiency in practice, so it would be foolish not to use proven solutions.

Tailstock Drawing of the caliper and tool holder Drawing of the bed Drawing of the headstock Homemade lathe. General view Drawing of the tailstock

DIY instructions for making a simple lathe

Since everyone decides how his lathe will look like, and what dimensions it will have, it is impossible to give an exact description of the manufacture of all parts with an indication of dimensions, tolerances and fits. However, the process of building any lathe follows the same steps.

Frame manufacturing. As mentioned above, it is impossible to make a massive cast-iron bed at home. Therefore, its role will be played by a frame made of a channel or steel profile pipes, which are cut to size and then welded according to the drawing. It is important to observe the correctness of all right angles, therefore, control with the help of a square must be carried out every time the next joint is performed. It is best to work on a flat, horizontal slab. This will make it possible to obtain a frame with a strict geometry in the horizontal plane. You can do without a massive bed by making it from long shafts as guides.
Details for the manufacture of the bed
The side racks of the bed are made on a lathe.
Side stand
Collect racks with racks. In this case, spacer sleeves are installed between the side support elements.
Installing Rails on Racks
Bushings for attaching the tailstock and tool holder are mounted on the guides. You don't have to make them the same length. One part can be made shorter than another, using a long element as a guide, and a shorter one to support the movable nodes. This solution will increase the working stroke of the rear center.
Installation of support and guide bushings for the main feed
The pads for fastening the quill and the caliper are made of steel sheet with a thickness of 8-10 mm and fasten them to the guide and retaining bushings using bolts with a diameter of 6 mm. Particular attention should be paid to the mounting holes, since the slightest inaccuracy will lead to skewing and jamming of the moving parts of the machine.
Installation of the support pads of the caliper and tailstock
Install the lead screw. You can grind this part from a workpiece or use a threaded part from any device, for example, from a highchair with a variable height. Be sure to install bronze or brass anti-friction bushings in the corresponding holes in the side struts.
A vernier and a steering wheel are attached to the lead screw.