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Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 2:48 pm
by Dixie_piper
Okay, I'll see what I can scrounge up in that size range.
The best part about a new hobby or new project is always new tools. That's always been my problem, you never need an EXCUSE to get new tools, there's almost always a logical REASON for getting them in a practical sense :)

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 8:41 pm
by KenLamb
ToddJohnson wrote:Here's what I would say about lathes:

4. Custom made 2-jaw chuck
This is a must if you're going to be turning shapes on the lathe rather than drilling them "freehand." Ken Lamb sells one as does Trent Rudat. Every one I've seen from both of these sources, however, is flimsy and imprecise. Others may have had a different experience. My advice would be to have one machined by a local tool and die company.

TJ
Todd-

Please elaborate on what aspects of the chuck I sell is flimsey and imprecise. This does not seem like you to knock a product that is a proven design.
I am confused.
Sincerely,
Ken

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:56 am
by baweaverpipes
KenLamb wrote:
ToddJohnson wrote:Here's what I would say about lathes:

4. Custom made 2-jaw chuck
This is a must if you're going to be turning shapes on the lathe rather than drilling them "freehand." Ken Lamb sells one as does Trent Rudat. Every one I've seen from both of these sources, however, is flimsy and imprecise. Others may have had a different experience. My advice would be to have one machined by a local tool and die company.

TJ
Todd-

Please elaborate on what aspects of the chuck I sell is flimsey and imprecise. This does not seem like you to knock a product that is a proven design.
I am confused.
Sincerely,
Ken
Ken,
Let me chime in on this one.
I have owned both a Rudat and Lamb chuck. The Rudat I sold since it was a self-centering converted 4 jaw chuck. It was wonky and would not accommodate large blocks. Your chuck is solid (I have the aircraft aluminum chuck), but I have had consistent problems with the jaws. The set screws have destroyed the jaws, which appear to be a softer metal. Other pipe makers have voiced the same. It is my understanding this problem has been resolved. I would love to send it back for jaw replacement, but am concerned about the turn around time. Just what is your turn around? I drill freehand, but there are times when I use your chuck and just don't want to be without. Let me know your time frame.
Also, do you have any 19 mm spoon bits?
BAW

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:34 pm
by KenLamb
Bruce-

Your chuck and about 15 others made prior to 2007 had an issue with the drive screw pushing thru the wall of the serrated jaws. When this was brought to my attention it was quickly corrected by returning to me for serrated jaw replacements. depending on the pipemaker you brake thru the serrated jaw or you don't. Repeated use of driving the jaws into the block for stability would push the thin wall of the jaw to open thus making the jaws useless. I corrected this issue when it was brought to my attention by not machining such a deep counterbore into the drive screw seat on the jaws. Problem corrected. I have sold several Ken Lamb Alignment chucks to many pipemakers around the world wih no complaints. I will not name names but I am proud to say I sell and machine tooling for the Top professional pipemakers from Denmark, Germany, Russia, Japan, Italy and of course the USA.
I apologize for not contributing to this newsgroup but after lurking here its seems there are plenty of knowledgeable folks here, newbies are in great hands. I am still working at perfecting my pipemaking skills. I have the engineering right but it takes much more than that to call yourself a pipemaker.

Send me your chuck as I asked back in 2009 when you greeted me at the door when I arrived in St Charles, IL.

February of 2011 I will be celebrating 10 years in business.

Kindest regards,

Ken Lamb
Proprietor
baweaverpipes wrote:
KenLamb wrote:
ToddJohnson wrote:Here's what I would say about lathes:

4. Custom made 2-jaw chuck
This is a must if you're going to be turning shapes on the lathe rather than drilling them "freehand." Ken Lamb sells one as does Trent Rudat. Every one I've seen from both of these sources, however, is flimsy and imprecise. Others may have had a different experience. My advice would be to have one machined by a local tool and die company.

TJ
Todd-

Please elaborate on what aspects of the chuck I sell is flimsey and imprecise. This does not seem like you to knock a product that is a proven design.
I am confused.
Sincerely,
Ken
Ken,
Let me chime in on this one.
I have owned both a Rudat and Lamb chuck. The Rudat I sold since it was a self-centering converted 4 jaw chuck. It was wonky and would not accommodate large blocks. Your chuck is solid (I have the aircraft aluminum chuck), but I have had consistent problems with the jaws. The set screws have destroyed the jaws, which appear to be a softer metal. Other pipe makers have voiced the same. It is my understanding this problem has been resolved. I would love to send it back for jaw replacement, but am concerned about the turn around time. Just what is your turn around? I drill freehand, but there are times when I use your chuck and just don't want to be without. Let me know your time frame.
Also, do you have any 19 mm spoon bits?
BAW

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 12:41 pm
by ToddJohnson
Ken,

I haven't seen any of the "new generation" of your chucks, I guess. I have, however, seen them in several different designs, including the one I have, and each of them have had problems. I have had the same experience with the Rudat chucks, though I should say I do not own one. There's no reason for me to detail the specific issues I've had or seen with Lamb chucks if those problems have already been solved. My experience is my own--something I noted when I made the observations I did--and those who have had different experiences are always welcome to chime in. I try not to maintain any loyalties that fall outside of practical mechanics. In other words, if my best friend was a carpenter and he did a great job building my house, I would recommend him highly. If my best friend was a carpenter and he did a poor job building my house, I would tell you to use someone else to build yours. I'd love to see some of your new stuff. Maybe I could take a look at it in Chicago and you can take me through some of the new engineering features.

All the best,

Todd

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:48 pm
by Johnny Roberts
I have reading and digesting all I can about the lathes. I have found one that:
#1. I like
#2 Can fit in my shop
#3 Is 110V
#4 I can afford

Has any one had experience with the Grizzly G9972Z 11" x 26" Bench Lathe w/ Gearbox

Some of the specs are:
•Motor: 1 HP, 110v, 60Hz
•Swing: 10-5/8" over bed; 6-3/8" over cross-slide
•Distance between centers: 26"
•Travel: 3-1/2" compound; 7" cross-slide; 23" carriage
•6 speeds: 150, 300, 560, 720, 1200, 2400 RPM

Image

It comes with a selection of attachments and I am hoping the 6.5 inch 4 jaw chuck would be suitable to hold some blocks.

Knife making is my main thing but I am really enjoying 'trying' to make pipes so basically can anyone tell me if this would be a suitable machine that would last for a while without needing to upgrade.

The other thing I would like to know is if anyone is around the Houston area that wouldn't mind schooling me a bit about pipe making. I would be open to trading some knife making info.

You can find my work here. http://www.knivesbyroberts.com

Thanks in advance and I appreciate the guidance.

Johnny

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:16 am
by e Markle
I'd encourage you not to buy a lathe from Grizzly. A good friend of mine bought the G4000 (I believe) for pipe making, and it has been nothing but headaches for him. If you're willing to drop that much cash for one, I'd just go with a Jet 920. There are several makers that use this model (I have one myself), and they seem to hold up fairly well. That being said, send a message to jack Howell, and he'll give you better feedback than I could.

Drop me a line if you need more info.

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:39 am
by JHowell
e Markle wrote:I'd encourage you not to buy a lathe from Grizzly. A good friend of mine bought the G4000 (I believe) for pipe making, and it has been nothing but headaches for him. If you're willing to drop that much cash for one, I'd just go with a Jet 920. There are several makers that use this model (I have one myself), and they seem to hold up fairly well. That being said, send a message to jack Howell, and he'll give you better feedback than I could.

Drop me a line if you need more info.
See, I'd encourage you not to buy a 9" lathe. They're all made in the same factory or couple of factories in China and as a class they're pretty cheap. I wouldn't necessarily stay away from Grizzly; they have some good stuff and not every Jet is perfect. I think you're doing well to buy a larger lathe of whatever brand. The larger the lathe the more likely it is to be intended for production work. But it's getting harder and harder to get a real quality lathe. Luckily, we don't need super precision for pipe making, we just need something that's fairly robust, and an 11" Grizzly should be fairly robust. Compare prices with Precision Matthews, he's a small dealer who sells pretty much the same import stuff but is making some friends by busting his tail with service.

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:35 am
by SimeonTurner
JHowell wrote: See, I'd encourage you not to buy a 9" lathe. They're all made in the same factory or couple of factories in China and as a class they're pretty cheap. I wouldn't necessarily stay away from Grizzly; they have some good stuff and not every Jet is perfect. I think you're doing well to buy a larger lathe of whatever brand. The larger the lathe the more likely it is to be intended for production work. But it's getting harder and harder to get a real quality lathe. Luckily, we don't need super precision for pipe making, we just need something that's fairly robust, and an 11" Grizzly should be fairly robust. Compare prices with Precision Matthews, he's a small dealer who sells pretty much the same import stuff but is making some friends by busting his tail with service.

My PM 11-27 has been fantastic thus far. For the price, i am really pleased with it.

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:47 am
by e Markle
JHowell wrote:
e Markle wrote:I'd encourage you not to buy a lathe from Grizzly. A good friend of mine bought the G4000 (I believe) for pipe making, and it has been nothing but headaches for him. If you're willing to drop that much cash for one, I'd just go with a Jet 920. There are several makers that use this model (I have one myself), and they seem to hold up fairly well. That being said, send a message to jack Howell, and he'll give you better feedback than I could.

Drop me a line if you need more info.
See, I'd encourage you not to buy a 9" lathe. They're all made in the same factory or couple of factories in China and as a class they're pretty cheap. I wouldn't necessarily stay away from Grizzly; they have some good stuff and not every Jet is perfect. I think you're doing well to buy a larger lathe of whatever brand. The larger the lathe the more likely it is to be intended for production work. But it's getting harder and harder to get a real quality lathe. Luckily, we don't need super precision for pipe making, we just need something that's fairly robust, and an 11" Grizzly should be fairly robust. Compare prices with Precision Matthews, he's a small dealer who sells pretty much the same import stuff but is making some friends by busting his tail with service.
lol - well, there you go!

I'd love to buy one of those PM machines, but I don't have the space.

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:08 pm
by JHowell
e Markle wrote:[

I'd love to buy one of those PM machines, but I don't have the space.
Pfffft. You have the space. You just don't have as much room to jump out of the way if something goes ape sh*t.

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:39 pm
by e Markle
JHowell wrote:
e Markle wrote:
I'd love to buy one of those PM machines, but I don't have the space.
Pfffft. You have the space. You just don't have as much room to jump out of the way if something goes ape sh*t.
ha! Yep, that's true, and since I'm always dodging chuck keys/blocks that are flying *right* at my baby makers...

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:22 pm
by caskwith
e Markle wrote:
JHowell wrote:
e Markle wrote:
I'd love to buy one of those PM machines, but I don't have the space.
Pfffft. You have the space. You just don't have as much room to jump out of the way if something goes ape sh*t.
ha! Yep, that's true, and since I'm always dodging chuck keys/blocks that are flying *right* at my baby makers...
Good job you got no need for them eh ;)

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:40 pm
by e Markle
caskwith wrote:
Good job you got no need for them eh ;)
If I was still in 8th grade I'd respond with something like, "Well since your mother and I had you, I guess you're right." Thank goodness I'm all grown up now! :)

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 9:32 pm
by Growley
ToddJohnson wrote:
RadDavis wrote:Hi Nathan,

You can turn pretty much anything you want on a metal lathe. As long as you can chuck it, you can turn it.

Rad
Ben Stiller: "Oh yeah, you can milk anything with nipples."

Robert DeNiro: "I have nipples, Greg, could you milk me?" :D

TJ

What a great use of a totally quotable line! "I have nipples Greg,...could you milk me" That's awesome. Now I've got to watch that movie again. On a serious note, this is a great topic for me as I have just recently uncrated my lathe and have never used one before. Good stuff!

Re: Learning About Lathes. . .This one goes out to TJ

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:26 am
by SimeonTurner
Ernie, the lathe I bought has a Viewport that has to be lowered before the motor will engage. Keeps chucks from being launched. I assure you, your baby maker will be safe from chucks. Now, I can't promise that your baby maker will be safe from maniacs like Butch Weaver, but that's a separate issue.