metal lathe

[rakkasan72]

Can a metal lathe be used to make pens? I have a 9x20" matal lathe I would like to use to learn to make pens.

Thanks

[RollaJohn]

Can a metal lathe be used to make pens? I have a 9x20" matal lathe I would like to use to learn to make pens.

Thanks

Yes it sure can. All you need to do is make a tool rest for the chisels and gouges to slide along. The metal lathe holds the cutting tool mechanically at the tool post and the wood lathes tools are generally held by hand. The hobbyist metal lathes by Sherline, Taig and others are used for turning pens by adding the tool rest in place of the tool post and tool clamping mechanism used for cutting the swarf and chips from the metal.

**EDIT**

One other thing, wood turning uses the higher speeds. More like what would be used with carbide insert bits.

PS: I forgot to say WELCOME to the site. As I have said in a previous post, we like questions and have lots of answers, some may even be correct for your application. ;)

[rakkasan72]

I purchased a 9x20 harbour frieght lathe not too long ago to learn hoby metal working. then I discovered pen making. Thank you for the welcome. I have a tool post for my carbide insert tools. Do you have any plans or any sites that show how to make a tool rest/post for the wood tools?

Thanks

[RollaJohn]

No plan, haven't needed to make one as my old Monarch metal lathe in high gear spins at only 275 rpm. Too slow for small spindle turning and not enough swing for large bowls. But what you need is a flat bar that can be held in place in the tool post like it holds a cut off tool, then attach a large bushing to this bar for the wood tool rest's mounting post to fit into and be clamped in position. Or attach the new tool rest base to the cross slide, whatever and however you prefer.

I would suggest your going to view a wood lathe to have an idea what can be converted for your use. Here is a modular tool rest system that is available with different diameter posts to fit various wood lathes from 5/8 in. to 1 and 1/8 inches. Buy the length of T-Bar Rest to meet your needs along with the post of the diameter to fit your bushing.
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=lathes-acc-toolrst

The Delta tool rest base would be a nice option if it would fit across the ways of your lathe. Being made of cast iron, it doesn't lend itself to easy modifications.

Hope these ideas are of some help to you.

**EDIT**

Here is link to various plans and down next to the bottom of the list is a wood lathe plan that shows a simple tool rest on page 3. They only used a 1/2 in. post on their rest.
http://www.green-trust.org/junkyardprojects/FreeHomeWorkshopPlans/

[rakkasan72]

I appriciate it

[PaulD]

The only comments I'll add to Rollas' is to watch how your costs are adding up as you look at making your metal lathe work for pen turning. Speed variability is a decided plus for pen making and the basic wood lathes new are only in the $250 range. Even at the $250 range the lathes usually come with the tool rest, a face plate, a spur center and other basics that you'll need in woodturning.

[RollaJohn]

Paul, the only reason I stated that the metal lathe that Rakkasan72 has could be used with mods for wood turning is that its speeds range from 120 to 2000 rpm. If I was looking at the correct machine.

Lots of machines we have can be used for different purposes than what they were designed for. ie I have "turned" metal with a drill press using a file for the cutting tool and have seen an adapter kit to turn pens with it also. Both of these operations are more easily accomplished with the tool designed specifically for the job.

I much prefer using my Monarch for metal, my Delta for wood and the drill press or vertical mill to make holes. :) :) The right tool for the job at hand makes life easier.

[PaulD]

Rolla, I've never worked with a metal lathe, but somewhere I think I read that with metal lathes you couldn't do the tapering on a pen barrel that is needed for models like Euros. Any truth to that or is that just an old woodworker's tale?

[RollaJohn]

Paul, the forming of tapers and smooth curves and the transition between them is much easier when controlling the cutting tool in your hand. The metal lathe's cutting tool is controlled mechanically. To form a curve requires the use of both hands simultaneously one cranking the longitudinal travel and the other cranking on the cross feed. Both of these feeds can be gear driven on most lathes.

The cutting bit is much the same as used with wood lathe duplicators and can cut the same shapes. The angle cuts can be made by using both hands, or by using the compound to make rather steep angle cuts, or by offsetting the tail center to make a shallow angle taper. A lot of messing around to shape wood when it so much easier and nicer to feel the tool in your hand cutting away on a wood lathe. :cool: :)

[RollaJohn]

I purchased a 9x20 harbour frieght lathe not too long ago to learn hoby metal working. then I discovered pen making. Thank you for the welcome. I have a tool post for my carbide insert tools. Do you have any plans or any sites that show how to make a tool rest/post for the wood tools?

Thanks

While viewing another site I ran across this and thought of you. Click on this, it contains several pictures so if you have dialup I don't know how long it will take to load.
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Machining/Tooling/ToolRest/toolrest.html