How a Solid Tool Post Mount changed my lathe

Parting or cutting off steel has always been a challenge on my lathe.
Issues range from heavy chatter to broken inserts and tools which end up stalling the motor and sometimes damaging the work done on a part.

Today we're making a solid tool post mount to replace the compound (top slide). The compound on small lathes is known to have rigidity issues and that's what we're looking to upgrade.

Have a look at these other videos that served me as inspiration for mine:

Timestamps:
00:00 The why
01:07 Squaring cross-slide register slots
02:23 (Kind of) Squaring a cast iron block
03:24 Solid mount registration feet
05:25 Improving top/bottom parallelism
07:20 Machining angled ends
07:48 Fitting the Quick Change Tool Post
11:20 Cold blueing
11:36 Replace the compound with the Solid Tool Post Mount
13:27 Parting off tests (12L14, 4140, 304 stainless)

#lathe #diy #machineshop

[PhilVandelay]

Beautiful work! And I think the performance speaks for itself, probably the best mod you can do for a small lathe

[DULENSHK]

It is so crazy for 6mm cut on that small lathe, bro you really did a great job!

[Lumencraft-]

The 6mm deep cut on that steel was certainly proof it works!

[JesseSchoch]

nice result. I scraped the bottom of my solid tool post and amazingly it made it even more better. put an indicator on the right side of the cross slide to see how much it moves. you may be surprised how much it lifts under load.

[christopherbill]

"And now something stupid" is pretty much my battle cry in the shop. Nice project and video - thanks for posting!

[Guds]

The problem with these mini lathes are often only 2 bolts holding the cross slides. I did make it into 4 bolts and it helps alot...

[jackfromthes]

Nice work. I added a solid tool post mount to my lathe and it was a big improvement in rigidity.

[rupunzel]

Giving up the compound limits lathe capability for fine in-feeds, cutting tapers and etc. That compound is very useful.
The original problem of chatter could be due to how the gibs/dovetails are fitted_scraped as a matched part. It is likely those what must be precision/accurate parts could be extremely ill fitted causing excessive movement under cutting load. Check this.

Other possible problems could be due to how the compound/tool post is fitted to the base. There is usually a swivel base at the compound, that is another possible poor fitting area that should be looked into.

[billgilbride]

Fantastic implementation of Robins tool post. Your methodical approach was a good practice to hold by. Thanks!

[steveforbes]

I LIKE IT! This may help to solve some problems that I have with my older larger lathes, too.

Thank you!

[mgraen]

Flat head cap screws are another nice way to eliminate a gap for chips. Your precision counterbores are pretty cool, though, and require less head OD clearance.

[wyliemacbean]

Well I think you have done a great job. All machines have different parameters to work with and all machinists are different and have different ideas on what will and won't work and I think you got it just right for your lathe and your needs. I am impressed and you should be very proud of what you achieved. Also you have a very calm voice and have explained it very well. Congratulations

[raysimon]

This is something I have been going to make for my sheldon lathe for years you done a nice job and the results show it anyone can run a big lathe and take big cuts because they are so ridged with all the mass of cast iron but a 6mm cut on a mini lathe even though it was 12L14 is impressive my lath will not do it and it is larger than his taking the compound off and on when you need it isn't bad on a small lathe just a hassle but i do know from past experiences thatit is worth it from a retired machinist thanks for sharing

[Superwoodputtie]

Dang dude, that's a really beautiful piece of tooling.

[woodndrum]

Good ideas, well explained and executed with attention to detail and accurate milling. Clear and relaxed voice over but a bit more explanation about the thought process of bringing the large new height block to tolerance might help us new to this game❗Great video Thanks

[warrenmaker]

Congrats, a superb video. I have the same problem on a much bigger lathe. I will follow your lead.

[shakdidagalimal]

This is next level stuff trying to insure a solid mounting. Oooh.. 13:44 I see it has the shishing sound of solidity in the cut. Tremendous. Mine just squeals and my tailstock does some weird "notching movements" when I'm turning it in to drill. I have no idea on the second issue. 10" WW2 model
15:45 Wow that's taking chunkage.

[ExarchGaming]

saw the 6mm depth of cut and instantly hammered the subscribe button, wow.

[jjsemperfi]

I have a PM1236 and I've found that locking my compound for big turning operations makes a world of difference in chatter / vibrations and thus surface finish. Doesn't look like yours has a lock on it. Great video and fix.

[rallymax]

So much better! More motivation - I need to copy Robin’s for my Hardinge.