[onocyclone]

Hi fellas,


Ive seen a few of you using the spindle of the machine as a lathe and was mongering how it is done ?

I assume you use a turning tool in the vice and jog the Y so it cuts to the centre of the spindle.

What are the limitations of this makeshift lathe ?

I only want to turn very small parts (2-8mm) so not hefty cuts. Also how accurate can it be? As accurate as the machine its self or is there a hidden issue ?

Also what CAM programs do you use for turning?


Cheers,


Olly

[hoss2006]

The simplest way is to put a part in your spindle and a toolholder in your vise.
Either write your own simple program or use Mach 3 Turn, it has many turn wizards.


The axis are the same, X and Z on your mill are X and Z for Mach 3 Turn.
Hoss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6eas5uhvnA

[bladehunter]

I used that technique to make a flycutter out of 55mm 1045 steel.

First I used a boring tool to make a 16mm shaft, then put the shaft in a collet in the spindle and turned the final features. Using a indexable lathe tool in the flycutter gets me a fantastic finish.

IMHO it felt like there was far less chatter than using my 7x lathe.

[onocyclone]

Yes, i receive an indexable carbide turning tool tomorrow so ill have a play around with that and sort out some other issues with the machine :/

It couple be fairly easy enough now I've read more into it