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I want to learn to cut........?
hello, I have a mini lathe and want to learn to cut threads. I have looked on youtube and also founds alot of info on the web. But I would like to know if anyone knows of other places I can find VIDEOS of cutting threads. All the ins and outs. Thanks
I cut threads on my lathe all the time. It's a 13" X 37" Chinese lathe I bought over 20 years ago. Being able to cut threads is an excellent skill, and it allows you to do, RIGHT NOW, what you need to do, instead of waiting for a tap and die set to show up.
Contrary to popular belief, most tap and die sets are for REPAIRING existing threads that have some damage to them. It's hard to generate a thread with a tap and die set, unless you use special dies. If you are going to be making a lot of what it is you are working on, it might pay you to order the special taps and dies involved, as that way you get a standard thread that is a perfect fit. With lathe cut threads, you can achieve this also, but it takes some time and practice. I cut special threads (such as for a radiator cap where the thread is 2 1/2" x 32 tpi. but for most of my production work, I buy a tap and die that are made for that thread (NOT a re-threading die) and that are adjustable.
But back to your lathe.
The first thing is, do you have the instructions for the lathe? Does it have a threading dial? This is a small dial mounted on the moveable apron that tells you when to engage the feed lever to cut the threads.
Because of the different numbers of teeth on your lathe's drive, some threads can be cut with engagement at ANY mark on the threading dial. Some threads can only be cut by using a SINGLE mark on the dial. and some can be cut at any of several marks on the dial, but once you start, you have to only use that mark for engagement of the threading feed lever.
A lot of the smaller lathes WILL cut threads, but they don't have a threading dial. What you have to do there is figure out which gears you need to install on the headstock, and then put them on and cut the thread you need. You will need to place the lathe drive in what is called "Back Gear" which will make the lathe headstock move slowly enough for you to engage and disengage the thread feed lever, as in normal gear a lathe is much too fast for you to respond as you watch the threading dial. The instructions will tell you how to cut threads with your lathe, and which gears to use if you don't have a threading dial on the machine.
Also, with a lot of the metric threads, you have to leave the gear engaged all the time, which means you have to stop the lathe, back out the cutting tool, reverse the lathe and go back to your starting point, turn the cutting tool back in with a few thousandths additional to make the next cut, then start it up again. If you disengage the feed lever before the thread is cut, you lose your numerical reference on the gear, and the threading tool will rip right through the thread you just started. That is one of the real drawbacks to the metric system. This problem exists whether or not you have a U.S. standard or a metric lathe. American and British threads are just all easier to cut. As far as videos on machining, you might check on a gunsmith's course, as these are usually broken down by subject, and you can just buy the video on threading. That will take you through most of the small threads and you will learn to produce them to a very high standard. If you can make tiny threads, the large ones are simple. So it's best to learn to cut a good 8-32 or 10-32 thread first, and after you get good at that, you can expand into some of the odder threads.In spite of the large variety of lathes, threading is done using the same techniques on every lathe, so whatever you learn will work on both your small lathe, and on a 40" x 280" behemoth cutting 12"x 18 tpi. If you go to "wwwlivesteam.net" you can see a selection of books on machine work, and I think they have videos also. For gunsmithing videos, go to a local gun store that actually does gunsmithing (Not just selling guns) and they will be able to point you in the right direction for a gunsmithing threading video.
Is there a local community college near you? You might check and see if they have a basic machine-shop course. If you are still in high school, you could check and see if a local magnet school has a machining course. Either one of these would be an excellent way to learn the basics, with an instructor to look over your shoulder and answer questions. You can then practice at home.
P.S. Hopefully your little lathe is a belt drive from the motor to the gear box, as belt driven lathes will generally give a smoother cut thread than a straight gear-driven lathe. I guess they don't transmit vibration through the drive like the gear-driven machines. My lathe is a belt-driven machine, and it cuts beautiful threads.
GOOD LUCK! and congratulations on actually learning a skill that has a value! I commend your dedication to doing things better!