[Mikbul]

Good news! The new SB 5" D1-3 chuck with reversible jaws came today! It's the same chuck that comes on the 10K and according to J Rolfe who did the review of the 10 K on PM the chuck is all ground and the repeatability is awesome . You have to read the thread it's informative and hilarious!
Tomorrow I'll clean it in mineral spirits and lube it good. Should be interesting to see that piece of steel chucked up and chips flying! Attachment 207128Attachment 207130Attachment 207132Attachment 207134

[Mikbul]

Actually after going back and reading the thread on the 10K J. Rolfe actually talks about the chuck on my SB1001 thread on PM. Cleaned the chuck up today and man is that a fine piece of craftsmanship! Had to screw one stud in a turn then mounted it on the spindle. Perfect fit! Needed a little tap to undo the tapers and no gaps in the face. Just slightly over .001" run out. Next I'll try the other two positions (three studs, three possibilities) and when I find the best I'll make a registration mark. There are also three jacking screws on the back, though I'll have to admit I don't quite know how to use them. I'd do more today but I'm not feeling at all well so before I mess something up I'll call it a day as far as the shop goes.

Keith I didn't forget about your DOC on steel question, so before I wander off and fiddle with the new chuck I'll try and get an answer for you. Down loaded some spindle speed charts last night so I'm worki'n on it!

Correction! Those are pinion retaining pins on back, not jacking screws per the parts blow up.

[Mikbul]

Got bored and went out and took some pictures of the Tormach OXA tool post and the new chuck. The toolpost is 60% of an AXA and takes 3/8" or 1/2" tools but probably better for 3/8", that's what I use except the cutoff tool is 1/2"
You can see the compound dial in the second photo if you look at the top of the cross slide.

Attachment 207268Attachment 207270Attachment 207272

[Mikbul]

Couldn't help myself! Pulled the chuck off and re-cleaned all the mating surfaces and re-mounted it. Bingo! No measureable run out with my .030" test dial. Tried the other two positions and they were worse. Since the spindles broke in and the new chucks on and ready at the latest Saturday I'll turn some steel and some brass. Maybe some aluminum too, I've got some stock left over from a job I just sent to Ca. (was using the 7X16 which hasn't sold yet)
Just test cuts since I've got no jobs or prototypes to make. A hang around the shop and unwind from the ***** week at work day.

[keithmcelhinney]

So I am going up to Grizzly tomorrow afternoon to pick one of these up. I went over my buddies house and I just didn't feel right trying to buy his lathe for $4k. The thing is huge and way more than I need. He is actually going to go up with me to get the SB. Now I just have to build a stand...

-Keith

[Mikbul]

So I am going up to Grizzly tomorrow afternoon to pick one of these up. I went over my buddies house and I just didn't feel right trying to buy his lathe for $4k. The thing is huge and way more than I need. He is actually going to go up with me to get the SB. Now I just have to build a stand...

-Keith

Great news! You'll have a fun trip, check out the Knights in armor and the Aloris showcase over by the SB showroom, there's a huge tool post in there, I mean huge! That is if your going to the Muncy Pa. Grizzly showroom? There's an SB 1001 on display too but they did a lousy job of cleaning it up compared to the 10K.
One afternoon with some clear mineral spirits and you'll be ready for spindle break in. Just make sure you get oil into the spindle bearings, getting oil past those ball bearings is a pain. I put the Hyguard in a syringe with a piece of clear brake bleeder hose (fits tight over the ball oiler)and can watch the oil go in. Like I said before I'm using JD low viscosity Hyguard which is an ISO32 oil. You can buy it by the quart.
Cleaned that piece of steel up so it would chuck up better to do some test turns tomorrow.
Good luck with the new lathe!

Attachment 207426

[keithmcelhinney]

Can I get the Hyguard at Grizzly?

[Mikbul]

Can I get the Hyguard at Grizzly?

I don't think so, go to your local John Deere dealer. The specs in the manual call for ISO32 oil, it doesn't have to be Hyguard. It was just easy for me I keep some on the shelf. It's possible an auto parts store might carry an ISO32?
Mobil, Shell, Chevron, Texaco and others all make an ISO32 oil which is basically hydraulic fluid.
John Deere makes Hyguard in two viscosities, low and high. You want low viscosity. Don't use regular Hyguard, it's ISO46 at a minimum.
Mobil DTE light is also mentioned in the manual.
You can find a copy of the manual on the SB or Grizzly websites, you might want to look thru and see what you'll need. The grease they spec I think is a marine grade that won't get washed off by coolant. You probably already have way oil, if not get some at Grizzly. There's ten grease fittings and just the two spindle fittings to worry about.

[Mikbul]

I turned that piece of steel down today and I've got to say I'm very pleased with this lathe! I started out at .015" DOC at 400 rpm's and 0.0030 feed rate, if I read the chart correctly.

Attachment 207616

.020" DOC at 400 rpm's 0.0030 feed rate. motor dropped 5 rpm's

Attachment 207618Attachment 207620
.025" DOC at 400 rpm's 0.0030 feed rate. motor dropped ten rpms, compensated with variable speed dial

Attachment 207622Attachment 207624Attachment 207626Attachment 207628

[Mikbul]

Lastly .030" DOC at 400 rpm's 0.0030 feed rate. Motor dropped 20 rpm's, compensated with variable speed dial. Got some nice coils at .030"
Seeing as the lathe was in hi range and only 200 rpm's above idle I think it's a powerhouse! 1.5 h/p for sure. Last photo is the cross slide dial, and zeroing these dials is very easy with the knurled knobs.

Attachment 207646Attachment 207648Attachment 207656Attachment 207658

[Mikbul]

Feed speed charts

Attachment 207642

[Mikbul]

Well to summarize my feelings of this lathe it's a powerful and very rigid piece of machinery, well worth the going price. For the money this is a huge bargain. My advice is to get one while they last!

[Mikbul]

A few misc. photos of my wood and metal shops, their not big but they work for me. Also a photo of my new unit heater, I need to finish that insulation!

Attachment 207660Attachment 207662Attachment 207664

[Mikbul]

Made a huge mistake and thought each graduation on the cross slide was .001" DOC when it's off the diameter, just opposite of my other lathe! Sorry for the confusion. Seems like I have more cuts to make after all!

[keithmcelhinney]

Picked my lathe up today! Went and looked at the 4002 and it is a much heavier, much bigger machine. Comparing quality the SB won hands down. Not even in the same ballpark! So I got the SB. Now have to get a couple accessories from little machine shop.

Do you think the AXA will fit or should I just stick with the OXA? I know I would have to modify the base to use the AXA but would it be worth in the long run?

Going to try to start cleaning tomorrow and have a stand to build. At least I have a nice guide!

BTW the guy at Grizzly said the lathe is NOT discontinued. Said they expected to sell more and it didn't happen so they cut the price...

-Keith

[Mikbul]

Picked my lathe up today! Went and looked at the 4002 and it is a much heavier, much bigger machine. Comparing quality the SB won hands down. Not even in the same ballpark! So I got the SB. Now have to get a couple accessories from little machine shop.

Do you think the AXA will fit or should I just stick with the OXA? I know I would have to modify the base to use the AXA but would it be worth in the long run?

Going to try to start cleaning tomorrow and have a stand to build. At least I have a nice guide!

BTW the guy at Grizzly said the lathe is NOT discontinued. Said they expected to sell more and it didn't happen so they cut the price...

-Keith

I think which ever you want to buy but the OXA doesn't seem to flex at all on the SB, and it bolts right on. I did a TRUE .060" DOC tonight and no issues. Congrats on the new lathe!

[Mikbul]

Went back out tonight and warmed the shop and lathe up and finished the test cuts. Started with .040" DOC at 463 rpm's 0.0030 feed. No issues at all to report, just some nice coils starting to come off the lathe.


Attachment 207694

[keithmcelhinney]

Thanks man! I think I am going to order the AXA one. The OXA one seems small! I had a smaller one on my 4000 and noticed a big difference going to the AXA. Of course that thing flexed like a champ to begin with.

Thanks again for everything.

-Keith

[Mikbul]

next up was .050" DOC at 571 rpm's 0.0030 feed again no issues but re-adjusting the rpm after starting the carriage.

Attachment 207702

[Mikbul]

And last .060" DOC at 604 rpm's 0.0030 feed. Again, after compensating with the variable speed dial ( after all, it's in high range, in low range you probably wouldn't need to but too slow for my carbide inserts ) no issues. No chattering, tool post issues, etc.

Attachment 207708Attachment 207710Attachment 207712