Using the metal lathe
The most common materials used in the metal lathe and Aluminium and Steel, In school it is probably that the pupils will be using Aluminium bar for their work, this is due to its softness which makes it easier to turn in the lathe.
When turning your material in the lathe it is important to figure out which order you will be working on your piece, this is because each time you remove your work from the chuck it will move slightly therefore the centre will not longer be in the same place, decide on the best order to minimise the times you will need to move the work in the chuck. Talking through this and explaining why it is important to remove the material as little as possible is key as I suspect in schools the students will each want a turn at the lathe and many students may be at the same point in their design process, so it will important to stress that the pupils wait their turn to use the lathe.
Its is important to try and keep a steady turning motion with the wheel so the tool cuts evenly, I found this quite difficult to do so it may be an idea in school for students to practice this motion when the machine is off and no material is inside, alternatively practice on a piece of scrap material.
Tools:
Chuck Key : loosens and tightens the 3 jaw chuck, works on the same principles as the pillar drill
Parting off tool: Finishes off material to give it a smooth surface
Left hand turning tool: used for most things, facing off, chamfering
Facing off: the cutting point of the tool should be exactly half way across the material, which should be checked with a steel rule
Health and Safety
Never leave the chuck key in the machine with no hands on it, if it is left in and the machine switched on it could potentially throw the key out with some force which may cause serious injury.
Be careful when handling sharp cutting tools
Spinning parts on the machine can cause entrapment, ensure all loose clothing and jewellery is removed and long hair is tied back
Sworf can cause cuts, use a brush to clean around the machine not your fingers
Chuck key must be tight so that material will not come loose
Turning material can get hot from friction so be careful when touching the material
The weight of the materials and tools can be dangerous if dropped, it is advisable to wear steel toe capped shoes
Wear safety glasses and apron as sworf can fly out of the machine
Common misconceptions:
Larger material goes slower, when it actually goes faster
You need to push harder if its not cutting, when you may have blunt tools
It is a noisy machine, when its relatively quite apart from the noise of the motor
You need to half the amount of material you need to face off, when the machine takes this into account and does the measurement for you
Common problems:
Material has not been put in straight
The cutting height has not been set up correctly
Blunt tools will reduce efficiency
Students may forget to remove the chuck key
The lathe parts being wound too far, they can drop off and damage the machine or cause injury
Key principles:
Many of the aspects of using the lathe can be transferred when using a wood turning lathes
You should always check your tools are sharp and nothing is broken no matter what machine or tool you are using.
The most common materials used in the metal lathe and Aluminium and Steel, In school it is probably that the pupils will be using Aluminium bar for their work, this is due to its softness which makes it easier to turn in the lathe.
When turning your material in the lathe it is important to figure out which order you will be working on your piece, this is because each time you remove your work from the chuck it will move slightly therefore the centre will not longer be in the same place, decide on the best order to minimise the times you will need to move the work in the chuck. Talking through this and explaining why it is important to remove the material as little as possible is key as I suspect in schools the students will each want a turn at the lathe and many students may be at the same point in their design process, so it will important to stress that the pupils wait their turn to use the lathe.
Its is important to try and keep a steady turning motion with the wheel so the tool cuts evenly, I found this quite difficult to do so it may be an idea in school for students to practice this motion when the machine is off and no material is inside, alternatively practice on a piece of scrap material.
Tools:
Chuck Key : loosens and tightens the 3 jaw chuck, works on the same principles as the pillar drill
Parting off tool: Finishes off material to give it a smooth surface
Left hand turning tool: used for most things, facing off, chamfering
Facing off: the cutting point of the tool should be exactly half way across the material, which should be checked with a steel rule
Health and Safety
Never leave the chuck key in the machine with no hands on it, if it is left in and the machine switched on it could potentially throw the key out with some force which may cause serious injury.
Be careful when handling sharp cutting tools
Spinning parts on the machine can cause entrapment, ensure all loose clothing and jewellery is removed and long hair is tied back
Sworf can cause cuts, use a brush to clean around the machine not your fingers
Chuck key must be tight so that material will not come loose
Turning material can get hot from friction so be careful when touching the material
The weight of the materials and tools can be dangerous if dropped, it is advisable to wear steel toe capped shoes
Wear safety glasses and apron as sworf can fly out of the machine
Common misconceptions:
Larger material goes slower, when it actually goes faster
You need to push harder if its not cutting, when you may have blunt tools
It is a noisy machine, when its relatively quite apart from the noise of the motor
You need to half the amount of material you need to face off, when the machine takes this into account and does the measurement for you
Common problems:
Material has not been put in straight
The cutting height has not been set up correctly
Blunt tools will reduce efficiency
Students may forget to remove the chuck key
The lathe parts being wound too far, they can drop off and damage the machine or cause injury
Key principles:
Many of the aspects of using the lathe can be transferred when using a wood turning lathes
You should always check your tools are sharp and nothing is broken no matter what machine or tool you are using.