Some issues with the Sherline lathe

Machine Shop
#1

I went in on Saturday to use the Sherline lathe, and while I finished my project, I was running into some issues:

  • The steady rest, and follower rest are both missing their clamps. These need replaced.
  • There are no cutoff tools in the drawer for the Sherline lathe.
  • A live center for the drill chucks would add a lot of utility.
  • The DRO for the long axis (Z I believe?) is non-functional.

Essentially I was working on a long piece, but had to make very shallow passes to keep from knocking it out of the chuck. Presented with the limited parts, I had to modify my design to keep it workable. I also found myself really wishing we had the compound slide attachment.

#2

Most of what you would do with the compound slide can be accomplished by indexing the headstock/spindle.

Please help educate me. How is a live center used in combination with a drill chuck? If the drill chuck just spins on the live center, how does it drill?

EDIT:

Are you talking about these?

Steady rest “clamp” (dovetail block)
image

Follower rest hold down tab

image

It’s odd that those would go walkabout because they’re not normally removed.

#3

Please help educate me. How is a live center used in combination with a drill chuck? If the drill chuck just spins on the live center, how does it drill?

Helps hold long parts. Essentially using it as a live center instead of a drill. It’s a part sherline sells.

And yes those are the two parts that are missing.

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#4

I seem to remember us having a live center already to mount in the tailstock. Its kinda odd that, that stuff is missing/misplaced. I do remember seeing a issue with the Sherline DRO, just haven’t had time to look into it myself. I repaired on portion of the DRO already.

#5

When DMS ordered the DRO kits we bought 3 of them but only installed 2 of them. So there must be a 3rd DRO still in a box somewhere. Suggest you check the Teacher’s cabinet.

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#6

That’s correct Rich.

I looked around, found the follower rest items, Also the steady rest, however the threads are stripped on it. It needs to be taken up 1 size in the thread department. The live center was in the tailstock. I re-seated the DRO & it appears to be working now.

I will get some cutoff blades ordered, I thought we had quite a few of those. Those seemed to have dwindled.

image
image4032Ă—3024 2.33 MB

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#7

It should currently be 10-32.

#8

Yep & after measuring the part, I don’t think we can successfully make it a 1/4-20 threads without compromising it. I’m going to order a replacement.

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#9

Agreed. there should be a spare set.

#10

We received the new parting blades, steady rest. They will be in the drawer.

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