Sherline Mill and Lathe

[darth_chasm]

I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a package including a mill and lathe both with DRO and a bunch of extras to help me get started. I know they are small but I think they will be a good option for me to learn and do some fun things. From what I've read, owners love them and hold onto them for years.

I know the real machinists and sabersmiths are chuckling and saying "aww how cute those toys are" ;)

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t649/DarthChasm/Misc/6200dro_pic_zpsau87ukbn.jpg (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/Misc/6200dro_pic_zpsau87ukbn.jpg.html)

[hapki]

Very nice. Enjoy!

[NanoRex]

I sense some amazingness coming in the near future!

These are manual machines, right? Not CNC?

[Warlock]

Nice!

[ColdVizjerei]

I sense some amazingness coming in the near future!

^^^This!!!

[darth_chasm]

I sense some amazingness coming in the near future!

These are manual machines, right? Not CNC?

Yep, they're manual. They do sell CNC ready packages with preinstalled steppers etc and they also have full-blown CNC packages. I figured DRO was good for now.

[Jediseth]

Uh, I want one. That's cool!

[Silver Serpent]

Considering what I've seen you make *without* such tools...I'm expecting minds to be blown.

[Denz]

This is exactly what you need for making crystal chambers and other small parts. Watchmakers / Clockmakers really like these sized machines.

-Denzil

[k6gad]

Sherline makes an awesome product. I think you will find the quality outstanding. They have a TON of accessories as well. This was my first lathe/mill and I loved it. The only reason I got rid of it was I needed more capacity than the Sherline could offer. If you have not purchased the risers you should. It will help in turning larger material. Also I would recomend their rotary table and tailstock mount. You can index drilling very easily on the mill by attaching both to the milling table. You just dial in the deg and line it up and bam! I am fortunate to live a few miles from their Vista facility! It is awesome.. if I ever had questions I could just run down there! Don't let anyone tell you this isn't a serious machine. For many things it is superior to a full size mill/lathe/drill set up!

[k6gad]

This is what I was talking about, mount the rotary table vertical and use the tail stock to hold the other end of the work and you can make concentric cuts at a given depth parallel to the surface of your work.. very cool stuff!1527415275

[darth_chasm]

I sense some amazingness coming in the near future!


^^^This!!!


Considering what I've seen you make *without* such tools...I'm expecting minds to be blown.

You guys are way too kind.


This is exactly what you need for making crystal chambers and other small parts. Watchmakers / Clockmakers really like these sized machines.

-Denzil

Indeed. I bought them mostly to make interior goodies!


Sherline makes an awesome product. I think you will find the quality outstanding. They have a TON of accessories as well. This was my first lathe/mill and I loved it. The only reason I got rid of it was I needed more capacity than the Sherline could offer. If you have not purchased the risers you should. It will help in turning larger material. Also I would recomend their rotary table and tailstock mount. You can index drilling very easily on the mill by attaching both to the milling table. You just dial in the deg and line it up and bam! I am fortunate to live a few miles from their Vista facility! It is awesome.. if I ever had questions I could just run down there! Don't let anyone tell you this isn't a serious machine. For many things it is superior to a full size mill/lathe/drill set up!

Thanks for the info. Good to hear from a previous owner. Your sentiment matches many others, so I am pretty confident I made a good purchase. My wallet hurts but I think the joy I have using the machines will ease the pain.

[Jediseth]

DC what size is that lathe? I was looking at the 8 inch one, but it looks a little small.

[darth_chasm]

DC what size is that lathe? I was looking at the 8 inch one, but it looks a little small.

It's the 17". 8" is really not a lot of room when you start adding work pieces, centers, drills etc. plus the hole through the spindle is only 0.4" so if your work piece is larger than that you can't move it back into the spindle to gain space.

[Jenny]

Nice looking machines. I've been tossing around the idea of a 7x10 lathe for a while, but haven't quite convinced myself that I'll use it enough to be worth the price.

[Jediseth]

D.C. I was looking at getting a drill press. Do think I could do the same things with a mill and have more options? Or is a drill press a must? I don't know much about mills other than making cut outs with what looks like a drill bit.

[darth_chasm]

D.C. I was looking at getting a drill press. Do think I could do the same things with a mill and have more options? Or is a drill press a must? I don't know much about mills other than making cut outs with what looks like a drill bit.

The drill but looking things are called end mills. You can drill with a mill using drill bits but I am by no means a machinist so do some research to find more details on that. I do know you don't want to try to drill holes with an end mill.

[Jediseth]

Thanks DC. I'm thinking your right. I may get a drill press first. Seems like lots of guys making sabers gets one.

[Jenny]

Thanks DC. I'm thinking your right. I may get a drill press first. Seems like lots of guys making sabers gets one.

A drill press is undoubtedly less expensive. If you'd like an introduction to what can be done with a lathe and mill, the mini-lathe / mini-mill site (http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Main/mini-mill.htm) is a good place to start.

[xwingband]

A drill press should not used for milling functions. You might get away with it for a bit, but the taper of the chuck and bearings are not made for milling. It will eventually throw the bit and/or chuck and be dangerous. So keep that in mind. Most get a drill press because it prevents stupid mistakes on very common things you'd need to do like drilling for a switch or set screw.

[Silver Serpent]

As I understand it, you can drill with a mill, but you can't mill with a drill.

[darth_chasm]

As I understand it, you can drill with a mill, but you can't mill with a drill.

^^^this!

[Jediseth]

As I understand it, you can drill with a mill, but you can't mill with a drill.

Makes sence. I guess if I get a mill for saber building I don't really need a drill press. Thanks!

[k6gad]

You can make small parts on an 8" lathe.. but.... you need a smaller chuck.. when I have to do it I use a 3" shearling three jaw chuck in the reversed jaws of my 6" chuck. Then I use a smaller cutting tool. I once turned a 2.5mm screw shoulder that way..I had to use a set of magnifiers to see what I was cutting.. lol...

[darth_chasm]

This is where the fun begins. Can't wait to get this trued up and ready to cut.

Also...pretty shocked and pleasantly pleased with how quite this thing is.


https://youtu.be/kvZuP54hE7E

[darth_chasm]

First chips made!! More alignment to be done. 8 hours of fiddling with this thing and it's still off.

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t649/DarthChasm/Misc/IMG_2120_zpswaqhol4y.jpg (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/Misc/IMG_2120_zpswaqhol4y.jpg.html) http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t649/DarthChasm/Misc/IMG_2121_zpselhg7hol.jpg (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/Misc/IMG_2121_zpselhg7hol.jpg.html)

[Jediseth]

Hey newbie question about your lathe. Is there any reason if I got that same one as you D.C. Would I ever need a larger lathe if just making sabers? Body length of sabers are just 7 inches. Sorry if it's s stupid question.

[darth_chasm]

Hey newbie question about your lathe. Is there any reason if I got that same one as you D.C. Would I ever need a larger lathe if just making sabers? Body length of sabers are just 7 inches. Sorry if it's s stupid question.

I'm a noob too ;) This was literally my first time making cuts. I don't even have the lathe set up yet.

What I can tell you is that I got the machines to 1) learn 2) make small parts more precisely and 3) modify MHS parts. I am sure some operations in making a saber from scratch would be quite difficult with these machines.

[Jenny]

The 7x10 minilathe is commonly acknowledged by quasi-machinists to be an excellent place to start. I am told, though, that the more you get into machining, the more you see that you could do with a slightly larger toolset. So by all means, pick up that Grizzly or Sherline, but keep an open mind about where you'll end up.

[darth_chasm]

It's not just about size. With the available riser blocks you can convert the Sherline from 3.5"x17" to 6"x17". You also have to consider level of rigidity and other features and capabilities as well.

Jediseth, I pm'd you with some resources I believe you may find helpful. On Mr Pete's channel, specifically look for his videos on buying a lathe.

[Jediseth]

Thank you so much for doing that D.C. Very kind of you.

[darth_chasm]

:cool:

[darth_chasm]

To provide a little perspective.

First pic shows clearance over the cross slide for a standard 1.45" OD MHS extension. 2nd shows a 1/4" tool bit that does not pass through. So if you plan on turning anything over 1.6" OD you would need the risers for the headstock, tailstock, and tool post. As well as the riser for the steady rest if you were to do a long piece.

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t649/DarthChasm/Misc/IMG_2147_zpswrr9jyzp.jpg (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/Misc/IMG_2147_zpswrr9jyzp.jpg.html) http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t649/DarthChasm/Misc/IMG_2149_zps4ztsrkwo.jpg (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/Misc/IMG_2149_zps4ztsrkwo.jpg.html)

[Jediseth]

Yes that helps, thank you. I think 1.6 inches is plenty. If your just sticking to sabers I see know reason why you would need any more room. Also 7 inches in length should be plenty too.

[darth_chasm]

Yes that helps, thank you. I think 1.6 inches is plenty. If your just sticking to sabers I see know reason why you would need any more room. Also 7 inches in length should be plenty too.

Actually, I posted that to show that you most likely do need more room. Brush up on those sources I sent you. It will eventually start to make sense.

[darth_chasm]

After many failed attempts, pieces flying out of the chuck and pulling out of hair I have finally turned my first...er scratch the hair pulling... successful piece! Only took two weeks :/

Still needs to be cut to size and some mill work to be done but I have to turn a different piece first and mill them together.

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t649/DarthChasm/DCLS-006LE/IMG_2215_zpstbktjnab.jpg (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/DCLS-006LE/IMG_2215_zpstbktjnab.jpg.html) http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t649/DarthChasm/DCLS-006LE/IMG_2214_zpslybbxemj.jpg (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/DCLS-006LE/IMG_2214_zpslybbxemj.jpg.html) http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t649/DarthChasm/DCLS-006LE/IMG_2213_zps6ryxltt0.jpg (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/DCLS-006LE/IMG_2213_zps6ryxltt0.jpg.html)

[Greenie]

Looking good DC. Nice work except the 'flying pieces' ;) Good things coming soon I guess. Oh and congrats on the crystals and DCLS006, you're a very busy man.

:mrgreen:

[Jediseth]

D.C. That look fantastic, great work! Is that a solid piece of brass you turned?

[darth_chasm]

Looking good DC. Nice work except the 'flying pieces' ;) Good things coming soon I guess. Oh and congrats on the crystals and DCLS006, you're a very busy man.

:mrgreen:

Thanks. Busy indeed but it's a fun kinda busy.


D.C. That look fantastic, great work! Is that a solid piece of brass you turned?

Thanks. Yes. Started at 1.25". Turned down the major OD to 0.999 :/ just missed the mark. The minor OD is .4245 even closer to the mark on that. I nailed the length of the step at .125. Centered drilled to 5/16 and I just eyeballed the chamfer.