Tooling Packages ....... 39 Tailstock Position .......19 Replacement Parts ......39 Half Nuts .........20 Parts drawing Model 1012 ....40 Lead Screw Mounting ....20 Parts List Model 1012 ..... 41 Overview of Lathe Operations ...21 Parts drawing Model 1014 ....43 Basic Turning......21...
Mini Lathe Specifications The following specifications apply to both the 7" x 12" lathe (model #1012) and the 7" x 14" lathe (model #1014). Naturally the distance between centers and weights are model specific. Swing over bed 7.1" (180 mm) Swing over saddle 4.3"...
Safety Considerations Always use common sense when using a power tool. Besides the general safety rules for any power tool, following also are specific considerations for the mini lathe. General Safety • Use common sense. Think through the results of your actions before you act. •...
Machine Safety • Keep bystanders, children, and visitors a safe distance away while operating any power tool. • Read the manual. Know the operation of every control before you attempt any operation of the machine. • Make sure that all guards are in place and functioning before operating the machine. •...
Unpacking & Preparing for Use Upon receipt, carefully unpack the lathe and inspect to ensure that no damage was suffered in transit and to account for all parts. Should any damage be apparent, or parts are missing, please contact LittleMachineShop.com immediately (800) 981-9663. The following accessories come with the mini lathe.
All hex keys and wrench necessary to carry out the various adjustments are supplied together with a chuck key for the 3-Jaw chuck and a spare fuse. The fuse holder is located on the main control panel. The four rubber feet should be attached to the underside of the bed, using the four M6 head screws, in the tapped holes provided.
Headstock The motor provides a direct drive to the spindle via an internal tooth type belt. Spindle speed is variable and is regulated by the speed control knob (23). Located on the main control panel. The spindle is provided with an internal No. 3 Morse taper to accommodate a center for use with a face plate or turning clamp.
Tailstock The tailstock (9) uses a nut (10) and bolt to tighten on the tailstock on the ways (11). Loosening the nut will allow the tailstock to be moved laterally along the ways. The tailstock quill has an internal No. 2 Morse taper for use with the center provided. Revolving live centers and drill chucks are also available from LittleMachineShop.com (See 'Optional Accessories').
Lathe Operations and Maintenance Starting Procedure 1 Set Forward/Off/Reverse switch to off. (C) 2 Stop button open. (B) 3 Speed knob fully counter-clockwise (A) 4 Now switch the Forward/Off/Reverse (F/O/R) switch to the desires position. (C) 5 Turn the speed control for the speed required. 6 If at any time the yellow led light is on, the Machine will not run.
Other Considerations Each Time You Start the Lathe Take all necessary precautions noted previously and ensure the work piece can rotate fully without obstruction. Always have the speed range set to its lowest possible RPM before switching machine on. Set the F/O/R switch on the main control panel, to the FORWARD position. Engage or ensure the auto feed lever is disengaged, depending upon whether automatic feed is required.
Maintenance For maximum performance, it is essential that the lathe be properly maintained. Before Use Always inspect before use. Any damage should be repaired, and maladjustments rectified. Damage to machined surfaces should be repaired with an oil stone. Test by hand to ensure smooth operation of all parts before use.
Lubrication We recommend the use of two lubricants on your lathe. • Where oil is required, we recommend Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil. Mobil 1 far exceeds the lubrication needs of the mini lathe and maintains a good surface film between applications.
Adjustments Keeping your lathe in adjustment is an ongoing process. You should check all the following adjustments when you set up your lathe and then periodically as you use your lathe. Looseness in the carriage retaining plates or the gibs can cause chatter when you are using the lathe.
Cross Slide Gibs A gib is a strip of metal placed between the bearing surface of two machine parts to ensure a precision fit and provide adjustment for wear. The mini lathe has gibs in several places, including the cross slide. To adjust the cross slide gibs 1.
Compound Rest Gibs The compound rest also incorporates a gib for adjustment. To adjust the compound rest gibs 1. Loosen the three lock nuts on the side of the compound rest. 2. Slightly loosen all three setscrews on the side of the compound rest. 3.
Tailstock Position The tailstock is adjustable from front to rear so you can align it with the spindle. To adjust the tailstock position 1. Remove the 3-jaw chuck from the lathe spindle. 2. Put a #3 Morse taper dead center in the spindle. 3.
Half Nuts There are two adjustments for the half nuts. The half nut gibs take the play out of the half nuts. The half nut closing limit stops the half nuts from closing too tightly on the lead screw. To adjust the half nut gibs: Tighten the three setscrews in the back edge of the apron to remove play from the half nuts.
Overview of Lathe Operations Basic Turning Before starting the machine as described above, it is check that the setup for the type of work to be carried out is fully checked. The following notes are guidelines as to how to set up the lathe to carry out a simple turning operation.
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When satisfied, retract the cutting tool, and crank the carriage/saddle away from the headstock, then crank the cutting tool up to the work along the length to be cut while rotating the work by hand using the chuck. Continue to advance the cutting tool slowly until it just touches the surface.
Manual Turning Follow these steps to turn the outside diameter of a workpiece. To turn manually: 1. Put a tool bit in the tool holder and adjust the cutting edge to center height. 2. Angle the tool so that the front cutting edge forms an acute angle with the axis of the workpiece, as shown in the illustration below.
Turning with Auto Feed The mini lathe incorporates a power carriage feed that can move the carriage either direction. This same power feed is used for turning and threading. For turning, the change gear train is configured with 20 tooth gears in positions A and C, and 80 tooth gears in positions B and D.
Bevel Cutting Bevel cutting involves the use of the compound rest, which is mounted on the cross slide and set at right angles to it (indicated by the zero mark on the body of the cross slide) for all normal cutting operations. To set the compound rest so that the cutting tool will cut a bevel, first retract the slide until the two socket head screws (A) are revealed as shown in Fig.
Note: Depth of cut is vitally important and may be calculated or obtained from an appropriate reference manual. 3. Take all necessary precautions previously stated and start the machine with the automatic feed lever in its' disengaged position (UP). 4. Engage the auto-feed lever sharply, turn the forward/neutral/reverse lever switch to 'Forward'.
Turning Angles There are several methods of turning angles or tapers. • For large angles of short length, such as a chamfer, turn the compound rest to the angle you want. Advance the tool across the work with the compound rest and advance the tool into the work with the cross slide or the carriage.
Changing Chuck Jaws 3-Jaw lathe chucks come with two sets of jaws. The standard set is called the inside jaws, because the stepped side is designed to fit inside of hollow workpieces and hold by an outward force. In many cases, however, these jaws are used to clamp on the outside of smaller objects using the long straight side.
Grinding Tool Bits When you purchase a new lathe tool bit, it might have an angle on the end, but it is not properly sharpened for turning. Grinding lathe tool bits is a bit of an art. It takes some practice to get good at it.
How to Grind Tool Bits Use a bench grinder to sharpen your tool bits. Even an inexpensive bench grinder can do a good job grinding lathe tool bits. In some cases, you might want to purchase a higher quality fine grit wheel. Keep a small cup of water near your grinder.
Tool Post The tool bits are held securely by the tool post. This mini lathe comes with a four sided tool post that can be rotated so that more than one tool can be secured for use and you can change between cutting tools as needed by loosening and then retightening the top lever.
Changing Gears for Cutting Threads The lathe gears drive the lead screw by a gear on the spindle. The gear ratio will determine the rotational speed of the lead screw with relation to the spindle, i.e., one turn of the spindle will turn the lead screw an amount determined by the gear ratio. The series of gears that drive the lead screw are called change gears because you change them to achieve different ratios, impacting the leadscrew, resulting in different possible thread pitches when cutting.
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The change gear charts (see below) shows the thread sizes that may be cut using different gear configurations shown in corresponding columns. The actual thread produced will be totally dependent upon the profile of the cutting tool. It is not within the scope of this manual to provide detailed information regarding types of cutting tool, cutting speeds, and working with various types of material etc., and it is strongly advised that you consult appropriate handbooks or seek advice from a qualified person.
Gear Chart for Cutting Imperial Threads (Inch) The change gear chart shows the thread sizes that may be cut using the gear configuration shown in corresponding columns. Gear Threads Per Inch Gear Chart for Cutting Metric Threads (mm) With a lead screw designed for TPI threading, you can also cut American Standard Metric Threads.
Threading Dial When cutting screw threads on a lathe, you must make multiple cutting passes to cut the threads to full depth. The threading dial helps you align the cutting tool with the emerging thread before you start a cutting pass. The gear on the bottom of the threading dial's shaft engages the lead screw.
Threading Process It takes several passes to cut a thread to full depth. You must follow the correct procedure during each pass to ensure the thread is cut correctly. Use the power feed forward/neutral/reverse lever to engage the lead screw drive. The carriage should move from right to left (toward the headstock) to cut right-hand threads, or from left to right (away from the headstock) to cut left-hand threads.
Compound Angle Set the compound rest at a 29.5° angle from a line perpendicular to the axis of the lathe. This allows you to advance the tool with the compound rest. At this angle the tool cuts only on the left side of the thread form.
Optional Accessories A complete range of accessories are available for your mini lathe. Below are some of the most common accessories however for a full range of accessories and upgrades, visit LittleMachineShop.com and view 7 x 10/12/14 Mini Lathe (C2/C3) Accessories or view our catalog for accessories, tooling and upgrades.
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